ECU remap and VW warranty
Author
Discussion

pagc1

Original Poster:

35 posts

137 months

Saturday 27th April 2019
quotequote all
I know what the standard understanding is that if you remap a newish car you invalidate the original manufacturer's warranty but I am struggling to find absolute proof of this so would be grateful if somebody could point me in the right direction. I have recently bought an 18 plate Golf R which is largely great but has had some teething problems, (mainly due to a large bolt fastening the front offside wishbone on to the chassis being very loose). I have read the VW warranty (https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/warranty/new-car/terms-and-conditions) several times and can see that it says "Items which are excluded from warranty cover include but are not limited to: Components, equipment or software (Chip tuning) which are not part of the vehicle at the point of original manufacture (unapproved modifications)." I can not see anywhere that it says the whole car is not covered by warranty if it has undergone 'chip tuning.'

Can anybody tell me what I have missed?

Thanks.

silentbrown

10,944 posts

146 months

Monday 29th April 2019
quotequote all
A remap doesn't invalidate the entire warranty, just the the warranty on the bits it affects (ie, the drivetrain)

You'd should still be able to claim for warranty repairs to other parts of the car, but not engine, gearbox, diffs etc unless it was clear that the modifications were unrelated to the fault.

It's mentioned in the Motor Ombudsman code, para 3.8
https://www.themotorombudsman.org/wp-content/uploa...
code3.8 said:
If you (a) fail to have your car serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing schedule or (b) modify the car, any failures that could be connected to vehicle servicing, modifications or external influences may not be covered by the warranty (but warranty cover will continue for claims unconnected with vehicle servicing, modification or other external influences, subject to the terms and conditions of the warranty).

Terminator X

20,794 posts

234 months

Monday 29th April 2019
quotequote all
I had a car new car that I modded with better brakes and when it went in to Audi with a misted up headlight they simply replaced the whole unit no questions asked; a single mod doesn't invalidate the entire warranty.

TX.

pagc1

Original Poster:

35 posts

137 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
quotequote all
Really helpful. That seems entirely reasonable and good to see it clearly spelled out in black and white.

Dr G

15,983 posts

272 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
quotequote all
I'll agree with that, OP your reading is correct.

Depending on your dealer/service advisor don't be surprised if there are some questions around it but sounds like you're OK.

Kompressor89

96 posts

139 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
quotequote all
I ordered a new Golf R back in 2016 and within days of taking delivery had it remapped and fitted aftermarket coilovers.

Warrabty issue never bothered me and had I no probs getting my local dealer to later sort out a fault with the pan roof.