What I would like to ask any of you erstwhile readers is, what would
hapeen
if an inspector got on and my card showed that I hadn't made a transaction
to pay for that journey? Would I be expected to pay in cash (no doubt at
full rate of £1) and if I didn't have the money, then surely I should be
able to travel for free, besides, ghaving my card with me is intention to
pay and it's not my fault that the reader is broken.

Wouldn't the inspector just be able to use his/her hand held Oyster 'reader'
to charge you for your journey? Presumably he/she will have checked with
the driver for reported problems with the on board unit.