Used car from dealer - issues within 30 days

[Nuisance]

I've had a 30k mile, current generation 2018 Touareg R Line Tech for 21 days. Bought from VW dealer. Within the first week, it had a couple of "moments" with warning lights on the dash related to its radar-based collision systems. Both times the faults cleared when I powered it down. Then it was fine for a few days. One of those things, I thought.


The week after, on one occasion only this time, it had a full on meltdown with these systems - it turned everything off related to them, radar cruise no longer available etc. Again, it hasn't reoccured since. Drove it for several more days without issue.

Yesterday, after several more days without problems, it activated the SOS system as I changed lanes on the motorway. I'm not entirely sure exactly what the car does when this triggers, but it seems to cut power, something odd happens with the steering, etc. It lasted a couple of seconds, then cleared. Then later on the same journey, when on the outside lane of the motorway, it decided it wanted to sharply apply the brakes for no reason, activating the SOS warning again. This then cleared and it was fine for the rest of the journey. Clearly, though, there's an underlying issue.

I phoned the VW dealer yesterday, who are willing to collect the car and leave me a replacement (they're at the opposite side of the country). Their after sales manager insists they legally have to be given the chance to rectify the fault. When I told him about it, he was rather sheepish and seemed to be aware of it. Given that it's within 30 days of purchase, I'm not sure if they have to be given the chance to repair or not? Essentially, I want to know if I can reject the car outright at this point.

There is a portion of the car that is financed, but not through VW, it's through Santander. I have spoken to a lady there this morning who gave me wishy-washy answers about whether I have to let VW check it over or not, or if I can instigate a rejection. I'm no clearer on what I can or can't do at this point.

My main issue is, my nearest VW dealer is a 50 mile round-trip. Yes, I have a 2 year warranty but once I'm outside of 30 days, I'm not willing to get into a never ending to-and-fro to the dealer if this is going to be an ongoing issue. I had a little look into this problem and it seems it's common, and VW don't really know what the problem is or how to fix it. It also affects other VAG products. Some owners have had multiple dealer visits for radar calibration, software updates or component replacements, and the issue still persists.

I've read previous posts on here but I can't send to find an answer to my particular situation.

[Nuisance]

Grumps. said:

Why don’t you let them just collect it and look into and rectify the problems?

It seems to me they are being reasonable and trying to help out.

And realistically, you have a two year warranty but it’s not their fault you live over 50 miles away from the nearest dealer.

My question wasn't whether VW are being reasonable or not, I've never said they aren't.

And I'm well aware that if there are the odd issues here and there that I'll be driving 25 miles each way to a dealer. I'm fine with that. I'll also use that very dealer for servicing. That's not a problem. Spending the next 2 years going back and forth regularly, given what I've read about this issue, would be a problem.


I'm asking what the situation is within this 30 day period.

[Nuisance]

Yes, I've already read that.

So given that the car is almost 5 years old with 30k miles, and there were no defects for the first few days, is it "to be expected" that faults may occur, and the dealer has the right/I have to give the dealer the chance to rectify? What exactly is "expected" of a car of this age and mileage? That it may develop faults in the subsequent 30 days that weren't there to start with?

Initially the car was as described, and fault free. It now isn't. It satisfied those CRA conditions to begin with, and now it doesn't. I was not made aware of any of these faults, or a history of them.

I mentioned the CRA to the VW chap on the phone, and he said to me that they have to be given the chance to fix. He clearly is keen not to take a faulty car back into stock. If that's not true given these circumstances, then he's misleading me.

If it's blindingly obvious to you, and I'm clearly not seeing it, then please by all means spell it out for me.

[Nuisance]

alscar said:

Within 30 days I believe you can ask for a full refund or a repair but you have to be able to prove there was an issue when you bought it - which if electrical may not be so simple.
As well within the 30 days maybe best to let them try and repair and then keeps your options open if they fail to.
Their behaviour thus far appears very helpful.

Thank you.

My only concern is that the 30 day window is shortening. Or does it roll on from when I first raise the issue? They can't collect the car until Monday, and that's several more days into the period.

I really like the car. I just can't be doing with an untraceable fault being the bane of my existence for the next 2 years. And it appears that is the case for some owners.

[Nuisance]

Grumps. said:

Do you have a local VW indy that you could plug in VCDS and look at the faults codes?

With issues like you describe, they should be logged in the ECU.

There is a garage I could perhaps use. VW asked specifically if anyone else had looked at it, and they preferred nobody else to have done. So far, they haven't. I'm working the period between now and when VW can collect it, so it's difficult anyway.

[Nuisance]

Thanks to the last few posters. I'm a little pushed for time for lengthy replies, but I appreciate all the input.

[Nuisance]

ADJimbo said:

Did you physically see the car and collect at the dealership from where you bought it or did you order it online and they delivered it to you?

What I'm trying to get to was this a distance sale?

I placed a deposit over the phone after speaking to the salesman, viewing the online photos and video and being convinced of its condition. I then travelled to collect the car.

LightningBlue said:

Some of the advice on this thread is poor, the post about the Ombudsman is correct.

Also as you bought the car approved used from a VW dealer it should be an easy process to exchange it (pasted from the VW website):

“30 day/1,000 mile 'no quibble' exchange policy.
If for any reason, you want to change the car - maybe you have second thoughts, or it doesn't fit in your garage you may be able to exchange it for another of the same price (or higher, with you paying the difference), as long as the vehicle is returned in the same condition as when it was collected and the retailer you bought your car from has an available vehicle in their stock.”

Personally I’d give them a chance to repair the car if you like it otherwise but there are options if that doesn’t happen.

Thanks. I do like the car. The manager chap yesterday explained about the 30 day exchange thing, but insisted that they must be given the chance to rectify any issues. Seems that isn't strictly true.

[Nuisance]

Thank you Coldel. Appreciate the advice.

[Nuisance]

Thank you to the last 3 posters. Very helpful, particularly Trevor.

I do really like the car. It offers everything I need and I like how it drives, when it behaves. The suggestions about letting them attempt one fix and have it in accepted in writing that I'll reject if it reoccurs within a given time frame is perhaps the way I'll go.

I'm going to continue to think it over.

Thanks very much for all the input.

[Nuisance]

Thanks to the above posters, particularly about the Skoda experience.

I'm still undecided on what to do about this. I'm actually leaning towards just giving it back.

[Nuisance]

Thanks all again for the input. It has helped me make up my mind.

I've spoken to the sales manager at the dealer and expressed my intentions. I then followed this up with an email stating that I will be rejecting the car. He was disappointed but there was not much he could argue with.


As much as I like the car, I'm not willing to get into a scenario where it causes me ongoing bother. Even if it seems fixed after the first attempt, I'm not chancing it going tits up again. The wife isn't keen on even travelling in it any more with our young child (either before a "fix" or afterwards) given the way in which it randomly decides it knows better than the driver and slams the brakes on - and I'm inclined to agree with her. The trouble with replacing it with another Touareg is that I might end up in the same situation, especially given that other posters here have commented with similar faults with other VAG group cars that must share many of the same components.

I might look at something older with less "tech"

[Nuisance]

Thanks all.

Deep down, I know I've made the right decision, as gutted as I am. 95+% of the time it's absolutely fine and lovely to drive. But I know that getting out whilst it's easy might save me lots of future bother. Yes it might be fixable, but knowing my luck it'll bite me in the arse and I'll regret not rejecting when I had the chance. The more stories I hear, the more I'm convinced.


And thanks for the Lexus suggestion, they were actually on my shortlist previously. I'll have to try one. One of my main requirements is a very upright driving position due to being tall and having a bad knee. I tried a similar age X5 and I couldn't sit far back enough or high enough. The Touareg was good in that regard.

[Nuisance]

loskie said:

Look at an XC60 or 90 or a bit off the wall a Landcruiser

Funnily enough, I test drove a coupe of XC90s and did like them. It was what I was going to go for, in fact. Until I read that 2015/16 models have engine issues/oil consumption problems, and I read of a few instances of electrical glitches on later models, such as digital dash dying. Supposedly they're not built like Volvos of old. The XC60 driving position is more car like and less upright, from what I can gather.

I might test drive a late P7 Touareg R-Line Plus - the allegedly well built, reliable car that I was looking into before budget creep set in and I ended up with a CR7 Touareg. I don't think the P7 has radars collision systems etc.


I will look into Land Cruisers, but I know they're very expensive like-for-like.

[Nuisance]

DirktheDaring said:

The last of the line P7 R-Line Plus is a great car, I had mine for 3 years and not a single unscheduled dealer visit.

I kicked myself for letting it go back to the lease company when I had a chance to buy it for a really good price.

The only gripe I had was not being able to use my iPhone for calls and data simultaneously, something to do with iPhones not supporting RSAP.

I had to get another sim with data to fully use Google maps on the headunit.

And I suppose the one other thing is that the P7 doesn’t do CarPlay, but there are ways around that now apparently.

I do keep reading really good things about them. Just enough modern-day gubbins to be of benefit, and hopefully not straying too much into the unreliable side of super-techy bits.

There are options for going aftermarket Android/Carplay which look 100% standard, which is probably what I'd do.