ACC sensor stolen from my VW Golf - PCP

[ruawizerd]

Hello all,

Apologies if this has not been posted in the correct place.

Basically, the ACC sensor that sits just below the front grill on my VW Golf has recently been stolen. It doesn't look like the thief had too much of an issue getting it off as there is no damage to the bracket - it just looks as though it has been unscrewed and removed.

I'm currently 3 years into a 4 year PCP deal and am not sure what the best course of action is.

I could hand the vehicle back now, however I would assume VW would want some money to cover the missing sensor.
They go for around £75-125 second hand on eBay, but I believe then they would need calibrating for the vehicle? I've read this can cost hundreds.
Could this be an insurance matter or is it just not worth the increase in premium / loss of no claims?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Big GT]

I'm assuming its noticeable? Visually or error code on dash?

Just buy one of ebay and re attached. If it works great, if not don't worry as they probably wont check this on return of PCP and I guess you don't use ACC as it totally pointless.
Alternatively get a price for repair and decide whether to have it fitted. If expensive it maybe worth going through insurance but IMO I would avoid and contacting them as this can open a can of worms with future premiums

[garpat32]

I had a mk7 Golf that the sensor/radar become dislodged somehow. Errors on dash saying ACC not available etc.

VW assist tech actually clicked it off and back on again to its bracket, but said it needed to go back to dealer to be "re-calibrated" at a cost of £400!!

I just carried on driving it with the error for a few days and it cleared itself, never returned whilst I had the car.

[ruawizerd]

Yeah my error message has been consistent - doesn't seem to be budging.
I may buy a second hand one off eBay, attach and see if the errors disappears after a few days.

If I could find a way to clear the dash notice prior to handing the vehicle back, I doubt they would notice.

[strath44]

what a PITA, I think you would need to know which version you need they go from A - H and the part no should be 5Q0 907 561

If you phone any VW and ask for the parts dept, give your reg they will be able to check stock, price and let you know which one it is! You can then purchase the below or similar!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-Golf-MK7-Distance-AC...

I'd be tempted to fit it and see what happens error wise, the only worry would then be something like the accuracy of the system. Find out first which exact sensor model you need and go from there.

Calibration looks like a huge pain and clearly only a specialist will have the tools..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPl_g-2x-Ls

[ruawizerd]

Called the local VW parts dept. A friendly bloke gave me the model number I needed and quoted ~£550 for the part from VW.
I've seen that the fitting / calibrating cost is an additional £300-400. Not cheap...

Found a couple starting at £120 on eBay. My worry would be I'd buy one, fit it and the error remains.

[ninjag]

Probably a good idea to wait until you are about to hand it back before fitting a replacement in case it gets nicked again?

[Patch1875]

ruawizerd said:

Called the local VW parts dept. A friendly bloke gave me the model number I needed and quoted ~£550 for the part from VW.
I've seen that the fitting / calibrating cost is an additional £300-400. Not cheap...

Found a couple starting at £120 on eBay. My worry would be I'd buy one, fit it and the error remains.

Is it local your probably buying your own one back!

I sympathise I had my spare wheel of my van stolen simple cutting of a cable plenty for sale on eBay surprisingly.

[p4cks]

Aye it'll need calibration.

I'd be tempted to leave it until I hand it back if you don't reply on the ACC

[garpat32]

Not sure on the ethical side, but you "may" be able to get it coded out using VCDS or Vagcom. I'm no expert, maybe worth asking on a forum or group.

[Olivera]

Either cough up to have it repaired proper, go through your insurance, or expect to pay the repair costs when you hand it back broken.

It's going to take all of one second for the PCP company to notice the ACC light unavailable on the dash.

[Alucidnation]

garpat32 said:

Not sure on the ethical side, but you "may" be able to get it coded out using VCDS or Vagcom. I'm no expert, maybe worth asking on a forum or group.

And herein lies the problem.

[ilikejam]

Save yourself the £150 or whatever on ebay and just nick one off someone else's car. If everyone follows this rule, eventually the tosspot that nicked your one will have theirs nicked and the world will be right again.