Need advice with a car dealer.
Discussion
Evening chaps.
I recently bought an 07 Golf GTi DSG from an independent dealer, car initially looked straight, drove fine on the test drive (only only a short one) and was backed up by FVWSH. I thought the engine was a bit noisy, but it had been stood a while and wasn't loads noisier than my 1.4 Lupo.
On the drive from North Wales to Sheffield I had a few exhaust warning lights and a rough idle, so took it to a local VW specialist immediately diagnosed it as a failing chain tensioner, with potentially a worn inlet cam, which was causing the fault lights.
I've spoken to the dealer as the car was given a 3 month warranty when purchased, his initial response was that nothing had actually failed yet, so the warranty was not valid. I politely re-buffed this by suggesting that situation could change quite quickly and catastrophically.
So far he's agreed to speak with the warranty company regarding covering the repair, but I'm interested to know what my options are and the best line of defence is to take.
- the repairs have been quoted at £750 inc vat and labour
- if it had full VW service history then the tensioners should have been changed (believe VW recommend 5 years)
So far the dealer has been friendly, but uncommitted, so I'm preparing myself for him trying to wash his hands of it.
Thanks in advance.
I recently bought an 07 Golf GTi DSG from an independent dealer, car initially looked straight, drove fine on the test drive (only only a short one) and was backed up by FVWSH. I thought the engine was a bit noisy, but it had been stood a while and wasn't loads noisier than my 1.4 Lupo.
On the drive from North Wales to Sheffield I had a few exhaust warning lights and a rough idle, so took it to a local VW specialist immediately diagnosed it as a failing chain tensioner, with potentially a worn inlet cam, which was causing the fault lights.
I've spoken to the dealer as the car was given a 3 month warranty when purchased, his initial response was that nothing had actually failed yet, so the warranty was not valid. I politely re-buffed this by suggesting that situation could change quite quickly and catastrophically.
So far he's agreed to speak with the warranty company regarding covering the repair, but I'm interested to know what my options are and the best line of defence is to take.
- the repairs have been quoted at £750 inc vat and labour
- if it had full VW service history then the tensioners should have been changed (believe VW recommend 5 years)
So far the dealer has been friendly, but uncommitted, so I'm preparing myself for him trying to wash his hands of it.
Thanks in advance.
Forget the warranty, if it was me the car would be rejected and going straight back to the dealer to either put right, or give a full refund.
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/the...
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/the...
KarlMac said:
I recently..
KarlMac said:
I've spoken to the dealer as the car was given a 3 month warranty when purchased, his initial response was that nothing had actually failed yet, so the warranty was not valid.
KarlMac said:
- if it had full VW service history then the tensioners should have been changed (believe VW recommend 5 years)
Sorry, i bought the car on 18th Jan, so i've had it a week.
As much as I'd like to send it back I've just got rid of my other car and need transport for work.
The part around the tensioners is what I've been told by GTi owners. In fairness I need to check the manual and see what the recommendation is in there.
As much as I'd like to send it back I've just got rid of my other car and need transport for work.
The part around the tensioners is what I've been told by GTi owners. In fairness I need to check the manual and see what the recommendation is in there.
KarlMac said:
The part around the tensioners is what I've been told by GTi owners. In fairness I need to check the manual and see what the recommendation is in there.
It doesn't matter what it recommends - if it's not in the service schedule (and it won't be) then it doesn't have to be done.Whether it should have been done or not is irrelevant now anyway.
A failing tensioner will not resolve itself.
Perhaps get a written report of the inspection from the garage that diagnosed the problem to back up your arguments?
It was mentioned about checking service history - if it was genuine VW services then it should all be on a central database I think
Perhaps get a written report of the inspection from the garage that diagnosed the problem to back up your arguments?
It was mentioned about checking service history - if it was genuine VW services then it should all be on a central database I think
Dealer most likely has not heard of this before even though its a known fault on this model (not all but does affect a few)
It needs to go back to the dealer to try to sort it, do not spend any money until the dealer has had a chance to fix it.
More info on these 2 sites
mk5golfgti.co.uk
and here
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3366754-...
It needs to go back to the dealer to try to sort it, do not spend any money until the dealer has had a chance to fix it.
More info on these 2 sites
mk5golfgti.co.uk
and here
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3366754-...
Thanks all.
Age is 07 and mileage has just gone over 50k. Listed for £9500 but negotiated down to £9300.
Just received the following from the dealer.
"Hi mate waiting on Toby I have emailed him he said this afternoon he did mention inlet wouldn't be covered but belt would be and not sure on tensioner but soon as I no mate I'll call u straight back I haven't forgot about you"
So in all likelihood they are going to pay for the chain, and I'm guessing the labour.
If this is the final position am I being unreasonable in returning the car?
Age is 07 and mileage has just gone over 50k. Listed for £9500 but negotiated down to £9300.
Just received the following from the dealer.
"Hi mate waiting on Toby I have emailed him he said this afternoon he did mention inlet wouldn't be covered but belt would be and not sure on tensioner but soon as I no mate I'll call u straight back I haven't forgot about you"
So in all likelihood they are going to pay for the chain, and I'm guessing the labour.
If this is the final position am I being unreasonable in returning the car?
£9300 seems to be a bit of a bargain considering the spec.
If the rest of the car is in good nick i think i would consider putting a couple of hundred towards the repairs personally.
I know it will be frustrating but you could end up with a nice GTI for £9.5 - £9.6k which will still be one of the cheapest available in the country.
Walk away from it and you will probably have to part with £10k and might end up in the same boat.
If the rest of the car is in good nick i think i would consider putting a couple of hundred towards the repairs personally.
I know it will be frustrating but you could end up with a nice GTI for £9.5 - £9.6k which will still be one of the cheapest available in the country.
Walk away from it and you will probably have to part with £10k and might end up in the same boat.
nickfrog said:
Yet again, a dealer hides behind their worthless warranty to avoid facing their legal obligations under SOGA.
The 2 things are utterly and totally separate. No warranty will affect your rights as a consumer.
That's all fine, but in the real world enforcing your rights isn't quick, easy or convenient.The 2 things are utterly and totally separate. No warranty will affect your rights as a consumer.
If the OP suggests returning the car the seller might just call his bluff (bear in mind it's a long way away, and he doesn't have another car).
NPI said:
I've not heard of chain tensioners being changed on a routine basis,
But VAG chains and tensioners are well-known to be piss weak.1.6 FSI, 1.4 TFSI suffers from "rattle of death" - tensioner doesn't work and eventually chain stretches.
3.2 Petrol v6 Stretches cam chains which wrecks the valves/camshafts/pistons.
V8forweekends said:
But VAG chains and tensioners are well-known to be piss weak.
1.6 FSI, 1.4 TFSI suffers from "rattle of death" - tensioner doesn't work and eventually chain stretches.
3.2 Petrol v6 Stretches cam chains which wrecks the valves/camshafts/pistons.
Yes but they're still not routine service items. Even belts aren't. As I mentioned earlier, VW apparently doesn't think brake fluid is, unless you're paying for it yourself, when it suddenly become mandatory.1.6 FSI, 1.4 TFSI suffers from "rattle of death" - tensioner doesn't work and eventually chain stretches.
3.2 Petrol v6 Stretches cam chains which wrecks the valves/camshafts/pistons.
Anyway, the OP won't have any of the engines you mentioned - although some clarity on what he has got would be interesting as he refers to a chain and the dealer mentions belt. Some engines have both.
If he's happy with the car and the warranty company will authorise his local indie to do the work, I'd be minded to let them crack on with it but get the indie to change everything that they say is vital. Then send the dealer the part of the bill that the warranty company won't pay. Then issue a MoneyClaimonLine claim against the dealer when he doesn't pay. 50/50 chance of success.
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