The vokera excell 80sp boiler sounds as if it needs its periodic service. The hot water fluctuation is a classic sign of the flue venturi needing cleaning, this causes the differential air pressure switch to drop out. This is an easy job, but new safety legislation means it is now a job for a corgi man. (Try googling vokera flue venturi).
Hot water demand is sensed by a piston being pushed by a diaphragm. The diaphragm eventually holes and needs replacing. When it is replaced clean every scrap of the old diaphragm from the pusher plate and brass insides, or you will have to replace it again in 6 months.
The microswitches in this boiler dont last forever. If the hot water microswitch goes you wont get hot water unless the CH is on (but check/change diaphragm first). If the flow switch goes you will have a boiler that just will not fire up, or a boiler whose pilot light will not stay lit after a period of no demand (because the fan does not slow run). Google it.
Contact www.vokera.co.uk for a recommended local man.
If your corgi man is struggling, there is a free Vokera technical helpline that is helpful.
A proper service may be all that your boiler needs.
c
March 2008