PCP - 4 months old, want rid.

[ashleyman]

nickfrog said:

The cost of Auto on a M140i is no different to DSG. Cruise and sensors is £500. There used to be std kit on the BMW that wasn't std on the Golf like leather, cruise, Brembos, Supersports, etc... But the main thing is that you can vet 20% to 22% off on the BMW, which should make it cheaper than the Golf.

Spoke to the wife and she wants a replacement Golf R, not a BMW, not even repair. She wants a replacement. So I guess I'll be writing some letters tomorrow.

Did just do a quick price check on DTD and they're actually a whole 1k cheaper than when we ordered in January for the same spec, not sure how I feel going through them again and using the same dealer again. The M140i is £29k which is an awesome discount.

[MuscleSaloon]

ashleyman said:

Has anyone actually handed a car back? Whats the process? How did it go for you? What was your resolution?

Yes, I did a couple of years ago.

Had a catalogue of errors with all sorts of stuff before even taking delivery. Soon after delivery I had one reasonably serious mechanical fault and rejected it. I had just had enough. Interesting few weeks, lots of letter writing, recorded delivery mail etc. One thing that helped - by chance I had taken some 0% finance that was offered - the finance company were great and really got involved. They were impartial to either party obviously, but once they knew my story versus the dealership who couldn't really defend their incompetence they were fighting my corner. It ended up with the dealer offering me a full refund of everything I'd paid if I signed to say it would be final and I wouldn't seek any further costs or damages from them.

Be smart, do you homework properly and have a go. Lots of good sensible legal advice on the net. Seek it out. Don't waste time with any phone calls, not one. Everything in writing, everything recorded - it costs pennies. If you go about it the right way you will quickly get to a point where you have the other parties proper attention and they will be asking you what you would actually like them to do. Now this might sound like a bold statement but from all what you've said I would absolutely guarantee to secure a new replacement vehicle.

[lord trumpton]

ashleyman said:

lord trumpton said:

I had a similar experience with a Golf R but not on PCP.

First one had a bonnet like a plumbers radio - full of inclusions and fisheyes in the paint - obviously been painted

The replacement had poorly aligned doors on pax side. st quality - kept it 2 months.

Recently bought an Octavia vrs230 - absolutely perfect throughout. I think the Wolfsburg boys need to up their game.

How did you go about changing the first one?

It was a pre reg with 20 miles on it - bought outright and got it home. As it was white the defects only became apparent under certain lighting.

I called them up and as the car was considered 'used' because pre reg it was covered under their 'das welt' program and they swapped it no problem.

With yours I'd make a chronological list of visits, details of problems, things they said etc then write a rejection letter and issue this to your creditor/lease company who own the car.

They will be reluctant but you have rights. Why should you pay for a car that spends all this time being repaired. Tell them to source you a replacement.

[ashleyman]

MuscleSaloon said:

Yes, I did a couple of years ago.

Had a catalogue of errors with all sorts of stuff before even taking delivery. Soon after delivery I had one reasonably serious mechanical fault and rejected it. I had just had enough. Interesting few weeks, lots of letter writing, recorded delivery mail etc. One thing that helped - by chance I had taken some 0% finance that was offered - the finance company were great and really got involved. They were impartial to either party obviously, but once they knew my story versus the dealership who couldn't really defend their incompetence they were fighting my corner. It ended up with the dealer offering me a full refund of everything I'd paid if I signed to say it would be final and I wouldn't seek any further costs or damages from them.

Be smart, do you homework properly and have a go. Lots of good sensible legal advice on the net. Seek it out. Don't waste time with any phone calls, not one. Everything in writing, everything recorded - it costs pennies. If you go about it the right way you will quickly get to a point where you have the other parties proper attention and they will be asking you what you would actually like them to do. Now this might sound like a bold statement but from all what you've said I would absolutely guarantee to secure a new replacement vehicle.

I really appreciate this response. Thank you! Everything I've stated in the posts is all true and honest.

I've written a rejection letter. If you could have a quick read and let me know what you think that'd be fantastic. I'm planning to send it off either today or tomorrow. I still need to do a final spell check and put my address back on but you get the idea.

It's here.

[edo]

Good letter.

Change "would like to reject" to "am rejecting".

Change "My car does not meet my expectation of satisfactory quality" to "my car does not meet any reasonable expectation of satisfactory quality, and I am sure it does not meet VWs"

[ashleyman]

edo said:

Good letter.

Change "would like to reject" to "am rejecting".

Change "My car does not meet my expectation of satisfactory quality" to "my car does not meet any reasonable expectation of satisfactory quality, and I am sure it does not meet VWs"

Awesome! Thank you. Amended those 2 parts.

On a lot of the templates and posts and legal advice I've seen online, people have stated they've stopped driving the car. But if I do that then it means I can't get around at all. Should I go hire a car and loose more money or do you think it's ok to say I'll still be using the car until an reasonable replacement/refund is made?

[SuperchargedVR6]

ashleyman said:

MuscleSaloon said:

Yes, I did a couple of years ago.

Had a catalogue of errors with all sorts of stuff before even taking delivery. Soon after delivery I had one reasonably serious mechanical fault and rejected it. I had just had enough. Interesting few weeks, lots of letter writing, recorded delivery mail etc. One thing that helped - by chance I had taken some 0% finance that was offered - the finance company were great and really got involved. They were impartial to either party obviously, but once they knew my story versus the dealership who couldn't really defend their incompetence they were fighting my corner. It ended up with the dealer offering me a full refund of everything I'd paid if I signed to say it would be final and I wouldn't seek any further costs or damages from them.

Be smart, do you homework properly and have a go. Lots of good sensible legal advice on the net. Seek it out. Don't waste time with any phone calls, not one. Everything in writing, everything recorded - it costs pennies. If you go about it the right way you will quickly get to a point where you have the other parties proper attention and they will be asking you what you would actually like them to do. Now this might sound like a bold statement but from all what you've said I would absolutely guarantee to secure a new replacement vehicle.

I really appreciate this response. Thank you! Everything I've stated in the posts is all true and honest.

I've written a rejection letter. If you could have a quick read and let me know what you think that'd be fantastic. I'm planning to send it off either today or tomorrow. I still need to do a final spell check and put my address back on but you get the idea.

It's here.

I think with all the media attention of Tesla's auto-pilot shenanigans, they ought to take the ACC failure very seriously and give you another car or a refund. If not, as said earlier, tweet it! Companies seem way more reactive to negative tweets than any other method of complaint.

[Sheepshanks]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

I think with all the media attention of Tesla's auto-pilot shenanigans, they ought to take the ACC failure very seriously and give you another car or a refund.

VW will just deny it unless it happens to someone famous and gets in the press.

SuperchargedVR6 said:

If not, as said earlier, tweet it! Companies seem way more reactive to negative tweets than any other method of complaint.

VW have a Twitter account just for complaints but on that, and their Facebook page, they just dead-bat everything.

[MuscleSaloon]

edo said:

Good letter.

Change "would like to reject" to "am rejecting".

Change "My car does not meet my expectation of satisfactory quality" to "my car does not meet any reasonable expectation of satisfactory quality, and I am sure it does not meet VWs"

Had a quick glance .. agreed good letter to get the ball rolling.

Yes definitely state that you are 'rejecting the vehicle' period.

While no harm to mention it not meeting VW's standards, personally I would just keep it to the point and stay with 'the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality' period.

This limits the opportunity for discussion over your intent. You are rejecting the vehicle. It is not of satisfactory quality. Don't deviate from this.

Don't forget to send copies off to whoever you can to help your cause - the supplying dealership, finance department plus any other VW customer services areas that you can find an address for. They will be forced to communicate amongst themselves and things should happen a lot quicker. Don't just send one to finance and wait.

Keep copies, send every letter recorded, no exceptions.

Not using the vehicle further is a moot point IMO. Ideally no you wouldn't and if you had a another vehicle I would say park it up and don't use it any more. It is going back to VW. Think of it as being no longer yours once you have rejected. They will ask early on whether you are still using it so be careful with your words. If you really have no choice over using it then I wouldn't stress too much at this early stage. It will be a case of waiting for their first response and make a judgement from there.

FWIW the R is an awesome bit of kit - you've been damn unlucky with yours !

Keep us posted !

Edited by MuscleSaloon on Tuesday 2nd August 15:21

[ashleyman]

I've made the changes to the current letter.

You can find the new letter here.

Can you guys think of anything else I have missed or worded badly? Planning to send this off recorded delivery tomorrow.

[rednotdead]

advice not advise where you're talking about the other dealer.

I'd also put specification in full rather than spec

[edo]

send it.

[MuscleSaloon]

edo said:

send it.

[Jefferson Steelflex]

Bit too aggressive at the bottom for me, rather than put specific times for your 'demands' you should ask that they contact you to agree a return date and to discuss alternative vehicle options. Legal action is fine but better to put you will explore the legal avenues rather than tell them you're going to court as you don't know if that's even possible.

You should have raised a case with VWFS first, it took about 3 pages of replies for someone to advise you that VWFS were the correct contact as it is their car. I would call them, raise a case, and then send the letter.

Edited by Jefferson Steelflex on Wednesday 3rd August 09:16

[ashleyman]

Jefferson Steelflex said:

Bit too aggressive at the bottom for me, rather than put specific times for your 'demands' you should ask that they contact you to agree a return date and to discuss alternative vehicle options. Legal action is fine but better to put you will explore the legal avenues rather than tell them you're going to court as you don't know if that's even possible.

You should have raised a case with VWFS first, it took about 3 pages of replies for someone to advise you that VWFS were the correct contact as it is their car. I would call them, raise a case, and then send the letter.

Edited by Jefferson Steelflex on Wednesday 3rd August 09:16

Thanks! I'll get that changed - it was from an online template letter but do agree with you that its a little harsh.

I've already called VWFS, opened a case and have told them to expect a letter in the post by the end of the week. I did this on Tuesday.

[surveyor]

I'd send it to head honho myself

http://www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-8989

OK - he won't deal with it personally, but it will get assigned to someone who is interested in getting a resolution.

[ashleyman]

surveyor said:

I'd send it to head honho myself

http://www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-8989

OK - he won't deal with it personally, but it will get assigned to someone who is interested in getting a resolution.

I'll send one to him too. Thanks for the tip!

[nickfrog]

Just thinking that the Finance agreement must fall within FCA regs. You may have a quicker resolution if you tell VWFS that your next step is to approach the Financial Ombudsman.

[ashleyman]

Well. This is their response. I also wrote to the CEO guy linked earlier.



What's next?

[edo]

It's a start. Who else did the letter go to; I assume you sent it to VW and to the Supplying dealer?