How do VW (and Audi) do it?
Discussion
Chatting to a mate the other day, comparing my current 8 year old trouble free Mazda to my previous troublesome VW Passat and told him I probably wouldn't bother with a VW car in future, particularly as I buy second hand outside of warranty, especially as it was my second VAG car to come with consistent irritating problems. He was shocked and said he had hoped to get one next because they are reliable, well built, blah, blah. I am just wondering how VW manage to keep such a good reputation and image with the general public, whereas Alfas and french cars always slated for poor quality. VWs (and Audis for that matter) independent reliability record in the various breakdown surveys has been disappointing for years now with them consistently lagging behind the likes of Ford and Vauxhall and we've had the pump duse TDI injector fiasco and the 1.4 TSI engine failure problems...so guys how come their image just goes from strength to strength with jo public?
Edited by Bezza1969 on Sunday 26th January 08:42
I should also qualify my comments by saying that when I went to buy a used car recently at a small second hand dealership, the dealer said he used to work for the local VW garage as a mechanic and the number of problems was shocking, also said that the warranty company they used rated VW/Audi as number 1 for claims and Vauxhall Astra as most reliable car!
I do think VW's and Audis feel very well built and finished, better than my Mazda 6 without a doubt, but seem to suffer above average engine management light/electrical type faults. My Passat had a full service history and had been owned by a mature owner before me, it was a very clean car that drove very well, but during the 4 years of my ownership seemed to develop every electrical fault or other inherent flaw that the cars possibly come with. But the public still seem to equate VWs with reliability when the evidence does not back it up.
Every reliability survey rates the Jap cars, Honda, Mazda, Lexus, Toyota etc in the top 10 year on year, VW and Audi generally struggle to make it above half way... that surely says something isn't right.
I can only say that perceived quality, or a product that feels built like a tank is a very compelling package, add that to superb marketing and the british public's love of german white goods and you are onto a winner!!
I do think VW's and Audis feel very well built and finished, better than my Mazda 6 without a doubt, but seem to suffer above average engine management light/electrical type faults. My Passat had a full service history and had been owned by a mature owner before me, it was a very clean car that drove very well, but during the 4 years of my ownership seemed to develop every electrical fault or other inherent flaw that the cars possibly come with. But the public still seem to equate VWs with reliability when the evidence does not back it up.
Every reliability survey rates the Jap cars, Honda, Mazda, Lexus, Toyota etc in the top 10 year on year, VW and Audi generally struggle to make it above half way... that surely says something isn't right.
I can only say that perceived quality, or a product that feels built like a tank is a very compelling package, add that to superb marketing and the british public's love of german white goods and you are onto a winner!!
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