Thanks for the reply all food for thought, which i need. I appreciate it.
The one thing I should mention, and I felt it might have some relation to an inner cv joint ... I got a very potent smell in the interior a few days ago, not a clutch smell - almost as if something was burning. Very strong. In the interior. No smell from engine bay. I thought it might of been an inner CV joint gone - and with the exhaust running under the drivers side (RHand drive car) that made me think about getting it to a garage (I have no access to ramps or pits just now unfortunately!) ... but - he said the cv joints were ok. He said the smell could be from the engine (it is a high milage, leaks a little bit ..... by no means guzzles oil, just a typical high milage engine with slightly leaky seals) and after a long journey oil could build up around exhaust area. It was just for that one day though, has not reoccured since, nor did it before ... and I do feel since that day, the shuddering noise when turning left has got marginally more noticeable.
Another thing I can think of adding towards problem solving (in relation to you mention about suspension/steering...) If I were to approach a speed bump straight on, all sounds normal. If I were to approach a speed bump slightly diagonally, every now and then you would get a little 'clunk' from what feels like the drive train area (as opposed to suspension strut area).
It's slightly annoying because I was planning selling up shortly.... but don't want to sell on a potential lemon.