Advice please! Who should I rant at?
Discussion
2 weeks before Christmas my 2-month old Audi A4 developed a number of faults - failed traction control, plus problems with headlights, electric windows and driver's seat.
The traction contol computer was changed and that fault went away but returned just after Christmas, along with failed ABS. The car went back to the dealer last week and a further replacement computer. They called me yesterday to go and collect the car, but when I got there they reversed it out of the workshop only to find the faults reappeared. The other problems have not yet been fixed.
I am left running around in an Astra hire car.
So, who should I be yelling at:
- The supplying dealer
- The lease company
- The dealer who has been repairing it (who have been very helpful and apologetic)
- Audi UK
- Someone else????
The traction contol computer was changed and that fault went away but returned just after Christmas, along with failed ABS. The car went back to the dealer last week and a further replacement computer. They called me yesterday to go and collect the car, but when I got there they reversed it out of the workshop only to find the faults reappeared. The other problems have not yet been fixed.
I am left running around in an Astra hire car.
So, who should I be yelling at:
- The supplying dealer
- The lease company
- The dealer who has been repairing it (who have been very helpful and apologetic)
- Audi UK
- Someone else????
If it's only two months old, you should be able to argue the case that the car is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold... and demand a replacement vehicle to the same spec.
Might be worth checking out Audi's policy on this... since manufacturers differ. I know of one (guess) that only invokes such a procudure when the car has been towed back to the dealers 3 times, or been unrepairable for a total of 20-odd consecutive days...!
>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 8th January 14:45
Might be worth checking out Audi's policy on this... since manufacturers differ. I know of one (guess) that only invokes such a procudure when the car has been towed back to the dealers 3 times, or been unrepairable for a total of 20-odd consecutive days...!
>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 8th January 14:45
Podie said: If it's only two months old, you should be able to argue the case that the car is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold... and demand a replacement vehicle to the same spec.
Might be worth checking out Audi's policy on this... since manufacturers differ. I know of one (guess) that only invokes such a procudure when the car has been towed back to the dealers 3 times, or been unrepairable for a total of 20-odd consecutive days...!
>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 8th January 14:45
Sounds rather like Ford's policy Podie. Or at least as it was a year or so ago.
Back on topic though miniman, as its a leased vehicle your in a rather better situation (believe it or not) than you would be as a private customer.
Although I would recommend pursuing the Audi UK customer service department (or whatever they like to call it) if you are seriously dissatisfied with the car you can look at rejecting it to the leasing company. (Rather than the dealership with whom you have no financial relationship im afraid).
It should be easier to do. Large leasing companies will have access to the manufacturer at a higher level than you do (via a dedicated department of their own in some cases) and will often be able to bring serious issues to a more rapid resolution.
Im afraid my understanding of the internal policies the various leasing companies may have is negligable, however I would really recommend talking to yours as a primary point of contact if you want to look at rejecting the vehicle or if Audi is unable to bring the issue to a rapid resolution that you are happy with.
Ultimately things can and will go wrong with cars, and it is not veiwed as unreasonable by many manufacturers to attempt to rectify an issues under warranty, this will be the preferred resolution of Audi.
Do everything through the leasing company, make them do the work for you.
The repairing dealer is just trying to fulfill the warranty requirements, although it does sound like they have done half a job. The supplying dealer merely did the PDI and delivered it, the dealer is assigned at the time of arrival in the UK as the dealer next on the list with spare capacity. I would suggest sending a letter into Audi UK, but they have absolutey nothing to do with build standard as all they are in effect is an import agent. However as you cant deal with Audi AG direct Audi UK will have to champion your cause and they should.
Matt.
The repairing dealer is just trying to fulfill the warranty requirements, although it does sound like they have done half a job. The supplying dealer merely did the PDI and delivered it, the dealer is assigned at the time of arrival in the UK as the dealer next on the list with spare capacity. I would suggest sending a letter into Audi UK, but they have absolutey nothing to do with build standard as all they are in effect is an import agent. However as you cant deal with Audi AG direct Audi UK will have to champion your cause and they should.
Matt.
the dealersa inMHO are pretty hopeless, I knew a guy who worked in one, and was apalled at the lack of help they offer.
basically theres a really good computer that plugs in and tells the service engineer everything thats wrong, the hard part is knowing how to use it.
sounds like they havnt got that skill. try another dealer, but get onto audi UK asap.
basically theres a really good computer that plugs in and tells the service engineer everything thats wrong, the hard part is knowing how to use it.
sounds like they havnt got that skill. try another dealer, but get onto audi UK asap.
I had problems with my A4 (also a company car through a leasing company) where the engine kept cutting out for no reason. My dealer refused to believe me and i suspect didn't even look for a fault until it happened 100yards down the road after picking it up for about the 5th time. Even then they wouldn't do much after it started again. I went to Audi UK as the dealer wasn't too interested. The dealer then took more of an interest but still couldn't fix the problem !
My dealer also refused to change the cam belt when it was due (60,00 I think), as they said it didn't need it, so I got them to state that on the service report. 2 days later the cam belt broke on the motorway at about 90mph resulting in 20 valve heads rattling round in my pistons. They fixed it under warranty, but I'll bet it cost them a lot and I'll bet the service manager wasn't too popular !
I've got a nice reliable Land Rover now.
My dealer also refused to change the cam belt when it was due (60,00 I think), as they said it didn't need it, so I got them to state that on the service report. 2 days later the cam belt broke on the motorway at about 90mph resulting in 20 valve heads rattling round in my pistons. They fixed it under warranty, but I'll bet it cost them a lot and I'll bet the service manager wasn't too popular !
I've got a nice reliable Land Rover now.
so its not only R**d*ng Audi (just in case there's a no name/shame policy... cant remember!) who are crap then. as I always say a car is only as good as the back up you get when things go wrong. (this makes my tvr pretty good 
)
given my wife's experiences with her dodgily built A3 (which behaves as if it was born in Blackpool) I wouldn't touch Audi, especially as Audi only sells dull shopping cars... (and yes that includes the tiTTy)... it just isnt worth the hassle she's had. grr.
) given my wife's experiences with her dodgily built A3 (which behaves as if it was born in Blackpool) I wouldn't touch Audi, especially as Audi only sells dull shopping cars... (and yes that includes the tiTTy)... it just isnt worth the hassle she's had. grr.
I've had to deal with a number of (expensive models)car dealers and their servicing arms, and have found a number of common factors. One is that they have little or no interest in cars that play up. The majority of the cars they supply do not play up, they accept that a customer who gets a bad one is a lost cause and they will do all they can to disassociate themselves from the problem car and its owner. It's not just Audi, I can assure you.
John
John
Just picked up my Audi from servicing (otherwise known as 6 month wash). Been looked after by the most gorgeous of young ladies 
, so will defend Audi to the death .
Come to think of it - no phone number obtained
- go for the lot 
! But I'd start with the people that you are under contract with to supply you a car - i.e. the lease company. It would appear that they have not held up their end of the bargain.
, so will defend Audi to the death . Come to think of it - no phone number obtained
- go for the lot ! But I'd start with the people that you are under contract with to supply you a car - i.e. the lease company. It would appear that they have not held up their end of the bargain.
TheLemming said:
Podie said: If it's only two months old, you should be able to argue the case that the car is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold... and demand a replacement vehicle to the same spec.
Might be worth checking out Audi's policy on this... since manufacturers differ. I know of one (guess) that only invokes such a procudure when the car has been towed back to the dealers 3 times, or been unrepairable for a total of 20-odd consecutive days...!
>> Edited by Podie on Wednesday 8th January 14:45
Sounds rather like Ford's policy Podie. Or at least as it was a year or so ago.
:whistles:
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