Would you......

...accept the repair of a car that has broken down 6 times in 5000 miles with the same sypmtoms.

Sensors replace multiple times. Wire replaced twice and a secondary wiring system installed.

Now we have a "Melted spark plug"

I'm convinced there's an underlying issue with the engine as as such I've told them I don't want the car back. (It's still under 3Yr warrenty although getting to the end)

I've asked them to exchange it for a similar car (there are non in the country available) or give me the replacement value.

If they do a complete strip down of the engine provide me with a report, details of the issue and fix and a 2 yr warranty extension I might take it back.

 

Sounds like you've got the 'Friday afternoon car'.

 

The engine is well known for problems including oil consumption issues.


funny thing is I went for a test drive on a new car & part ex 3 days before the latest break down. Their offer was derisory so it tells me they know the car is a dog.

 

Which car is it?

 

If the car is less than 3 years it should fall under the 6 year rule that you were sold an item that was faulty at the outset, given what you say about the recent service history and its age I don't think you would have a problem proving the car was faulty originally assuming its mileage is no more than average.

 

The Meistermobile is a 2013 Polo GTI supposedly with the fixed, better engine.

Yep that's my thinking which is why I've told them to come back with a decent offer. Only just done 8000 miles total from new. Maybe would have done more but never had any confidence in reliability for long trips.

 

Its the personalised plate that makes the engine dodgy, apparently VW are good at software to detect these.

 

On the DVLA site now applying to take it off. Because whatever happens I won't be keeping this car.

edit: site shut 6 mins ago. Job for tomorrow then

 

Only the government can have a website that shuts during the time that people are most likely to use it!

 

I think you're on slightly wonky ground unless you commission your own independent report into the state of the engine meister. Unless they're feeling generous they're unlikely to just give you what you're asking for so you will need proof of your own.

 

And this is the only issue. Whilst I have absolutely no doubt that if I follow the legal process I will win. The time and costs are something I need to factor in.

Had a call yesterday afternoon.
Them "The car is fixed we want to take it for a 50 mile test drive is that OK"
Me "You can do want you want with it I don't want the car back" "What was wrong?"
Them "One of the spark plugs has melted, we replaced it"
Me "so what caused this? considering I've have 2 replacement wiring looms, the car currently has 2 installed to double up, and you've also replaced boost sensors 4 times. Would you consider the fault is due to excessive oil consumption and build up in the engine?"
Them "Don't know, we replaced the spark plug"
Me: "Not good enough is it", Think this one needs to go to the boss"

Sales guy who I test drove with the other day and actually purchased this car from called up. Offered me nothing in addition to the part-ex previously on the table. Told him that it was unacceptable and this one needs to go to management. This offer is £3K less than list for my car and a paltry 1K off list for the replacement. In Total £8 grand less than I can get it through a broker.

This morning I have put the number plate on retention.

Doesn't look like I'm going to get anything out of them that I would deem acceptable. I can't in all honesty sell the car based upon their service report.

I'm expecting a call back today and if nothing changes then I'll take the car back as long as they offer a 2 yr transferable warranty extension and then I'll sell it.

 

Have you tried looking for an internet forum where people have had the same issue with the same car of the same production year? It would be worth doing because if there were a batch of cars with the same problem then it would be a lot easier to make a claim.

 

Why don't you ask them if they will pay for an independent report to be done into the car? Obviously on the understanding that you get an equal say in who does that report. Could help settle the dispute.

 

I think you need to put this out there where you may get expert help and advice. Other people will have been down this path before. Not sure you will get anything better on here than what UEA has said.

My own thoughts are that small claims court is up to £5000 isn't it? Anything over that and you are taking a big risk financially. Regarding derisory offers, this is absolutely normal for dealerships, I've walked out before just because they were taking the p*** on their part ex offer, and I mean REALLY taking the pee. I know you're not going to like this but you may be better off going down the we buy any car route and taking the hit, it's going to be a lot cheaper than a lost court case.

 

Absolutely.
Small claims is max £10K now.
Unfortunately to replace my car with like for like (not that there are any in the UK at the moment) would be £13K.
We buy any car have offered £11.5K but they'll probably haggle the usual off that when then look at it.
The part ex offer from the dealer was £10K.

So If I go part Ex I'm £1.5 - £3K down before we start
That's fine except.... The new car offer price is a full £6K more than I can obtain it new from a broker. In effect If I go Part -Ex I'm, £7.5K - £9K out of pocket. A grand or so I could accept and chalk up to hassle but this is an awful lot of money to me.

So sell the car privately or through we buy any car and buy a new one through a broker? That's all well and good except when they ask are you aware of any problems. I have to lie or rip someone off and I'm still down in the pocket. What happens when the car fails again a month after they buy it. I'm pretty certain it will. I'm then in the hole legally.

It's in their interest (and within my legal rights) to offer me something to make me happy. Their problem is they still want to make a profit on the deal rather than accept a neutral financial transaction and have a happy customer.

It's a gamble. Can they get away with peeing me off and making a couple of grand on the off-chance I let it drop. Anyone that knows me wont take that gamble.

Things go wrong. I can accept that. It's how a company deals with the situation when something goes wrong that makes the difference and in this case it aint looking good.

 

That's an option I'd not thought of thanks. I'm still without transport whilst this all goes on though.
I'm starting to think that if they offer a 2 yr transferable warranty extension I'll just take it back and flog it. Saves me hassle and protects the next owner.

 

Well it's past its 50 mile road test and is ready to pick up.

We don't do extended warranties etc etc etc.

Had to use the "let me speak to your boss" line. They are now looking into it.


anyone want to buy a car?

 

And 50 miles later it breaks down again.

Please all, avoid VW.

 

Keep us updated, this is very interesting.

 

Have your candles melted again?

Could this be valve or plug seating problems?

 

Threaten to go to the press, I'm sure it would make a local interest story or an even bigger story if the press find others that have had similar problems.

VW have enough problems on their hands with all the negative publicity at the moment with the falsified emmissions computers, I'm sure they would not want any more bad publicity!

 

This and Twitter.

 

SO I received the car back on Friday with a 1 year warranty extension with the pupose of flogging it ASAP.

Sunday lunchtime it broke down again.

Angry Meister dropped the key off with receiption sunday (Service doesn't work sundays) with a big note to call me.
This morning I called at 8:30 asked for the car to be picked up and the manager to call me back.

As of this moment I have received nothing. I have 2 rejection letters claiming forecourt value for the car ready to go at 17:00. One addressed to the dealer and a cc to VW head office requesting written response within 7 days of receipt.

 

Sorry meister but how do you intend to reject the car if you don't have independent proof of the cause of the fault? ie. a report or the like.

 

Hoping they'll see sense and sort it themselves. At the moment I am without transport and I want to avoid at all possible a protracted and expensive legal process.
If they've any sense they'll realise it's the cheapest and easiest option for both parties.

In any case it will not affect any potential future legal claim and may well enforce it, me giving them every possible way to sort it out.

 

I would expect them to just put the onus back onto you to prove it is faulty. They're entitled to do that in law because the car is more than 6 months old.

 

Then they'll have to absorb the costs of that as well as legal expenses and time. It's not the sensible option, but then as we can see VW are not sensible.

 

Time will tell. Just don't be surprised if they reject your rejection and put you to proof.

 

Point taken, I have adjusted the letter to request a complete strip down of the engine or a proportional refund.

Still awaiting a call back. I called at 13:30 and the manager "Was at lunch"

 

So I called them at 8:30 (service manager not in yet) again at 13:30 (Service manager at lunch) and again at 18:15. "They are all going home, the car is awaiting permission to be picked up"

Needless to say it's still sitting infront of my house.

 

Called again this morning 10:30 they've now picked it up and inspecting it.

 

What's the latest?

 

No update. The recorded delivery letter arrived 11:30 yesterday at Ruislip and I'm yet to get delivery confirmation from the head office copy.

I was goign to give them until 16:00 ish today before chasing for an update. Thursday I'll start to press for a loan car with a view to picking up on Saturday. If they sort that then they can have as long as they like afterwards.

 

Phone call today. Am I still interested in buying a new VW?

Now they're either having a laugh at my expense of their internal communications really are appalling. I ended the call as quickly as possible as I was about to go ballistic.

 

Subsequent email in response to my letter.

I actually got an apology. A detailed account of what needs to be done and an offer of a loan car delivered to my house. An apology goes a long way. This sort of action straight away rather than me kicking off would have made everyone's lives a lot easier.

Still flogging it as soon as it comes back though.