Hi James.
thanks for advise.
I took it to a Audi specialist yesterday. ( hazzydayz in St.Albans) really nice and helpful.
they took the panel out and tested it. It looked like something had been spilt because the buttons were a little sticky, but there are little magnets on the bottom of the control knob and it was theses that was faulty, but he cleaned it all and put a new set of contacts in(all while I waited)
now it all works great.
as for the dealer, he won't answer my calls or respond to text messages, so I have reported it to auto trader .
thanks again
tony