So looks like rear wheel bearings might be an issue on these, dads is now 3 years old, but he had to have a rear beaing replaced when it was 18 months old (under warrenty of course as he bought it new), i'll ask him what the milage was and edit the post.

A contributing factor to wheel bearings failing is sticking brakes. If they stick on they cause the hub to run far hotter than it is designed to do.

Lack of use, lack of maintenance and poor repairs are the main causes of sticking brakes. Pads can stick in the carrier, slides can corrode and stick, brake shoes can drag.

Always a good idea to strip the brake pads out, clean the caliper carrier, grease the pads each time the car is serviced. With the rear pads removed, its a good time to check the function and adjustment of the brake shoes (if fitted)