VW Polo head failure

[env]

Bit of advice requested for family member.

VW Polo - 7 years old, 90,000 miles... head gasket just failed. It was recovered to the VW garage it was bought from and serviced at (main dealer).

They have said that a new engine is required and given the following options:

1. New engine, £2,600 fitted
2. Take it somewhere else, we pay £400 for their diagnosis of the issue they have completed so far
3. If we buy another car from them they will give us £100 for the vehicle

Ignoring option 1, do 2 and 3 seem reasonable? We are going to replace it with a new car but wondering on best course of action.

Thanks

[andymc]

100 seems harsh

[andymc]

replacement engine, 2nd hand supplied and fitted with be £600ish

[lord trumpton]

More info needed. Did the car overheat And if so for how long? Hgf is not the end of the world and the gasket can be replaced and head skimmed.

How did they diagnose it? Compression test? Or exhaust gas test?

I'm surprised they say it needs an engine. Get them to put in writing why it can't be repaired.

[mini1380cc]

Depending on how "blown" it is then you could try K-Seal to eek out more time. Time to get shot.

[mini1380cc]

lord trumpton said:

I'm surprised they say it needs an engine. Get them to put in writing why it can't be repaired.

Its a main dealer, they wont want the hassle of a rebuild when they can be lazy and sling an whole new unit in it.

[BugLebowski]

env said:

Bit of advice requested for family member.

3. If we buy another car from them they will give us £100 for the vehicle

Thanks

Jesus, they want to give you £100 for a seven year old car which they sold you, and expect you to buy another car off them? Could they keep a straight face whilst offering you this?

[R1 Indy]

mini1380cc said:

Its a main dealer, they wont want the hassle of a rebuild when they can be lazy and sling an whole new unit in it.

This, Doubt they would even know how to rebuild an engine, as they are just part fitters!

[rallycross]

env said:

Bit of advice requested for family member.

VW Polo - 7 years old, 90,000 miles... head gasket just failed. It was recovered to the VW garage it was bought from and serviced at (main dealer).

They have said that a new engine is required and given the following options:

1. New engine, £2,600 fitted
2. Take it somewhere else, we pay £400 for their diagnosis of the issue they have completed so far
3. If we buy another car from them they will give us £100 for the vehicle

Ignoring option 1, do 2 and 3 seem reasonable? We are going to replace it with a new car but wondering on best course of action.

Thanks

What engine size is this Polo?
Main dealer is ripping them off with all these prices (typical VW not interested in fixing old cars).

Do not pay £400 diagnosis - query this as its totally over the top, even if they took the cylinder head off it should be a lot less than £400.

Depending on engine model you should be able to get a 2nd hand engine cheap £250-£400, if its a diesel it will be more (£400 to £900).

Fitting at any local garage should only be around £350.

P/x of £100 is also a joke if you put it on ebay as spares or repairs a 2008 Polo should fetch a few hundred £££ from a DIY mechanic.

[DickP]

To need a new engine it must be absolutely totalled, or they're doing as above says and just don't want to the work of rebuilding the top end of an engine.

[env]

Thanks for the responses so far... I went to visit them yesterday and got stuck in some sort of infinite logic loop with the sales lady saying "VWs are very good for reliability, I would not sell anything else" vs. my reasoning of "I am here because a VW you sold us just self destructed".

I shall ask the service team for a more concrete response as to what has gone wrong.

[env]

Engine is 1.2 petrol..

[rallycross]

env said:

Engine is 1.2 petrol..

OK well there we go they are taking the total pi55 with these prices get the car out of there and take to a local garage, if they are in London/Surrey/Middlesex/Berks I can help you with suggested garages if you PM me.

A polo 1.2 engine is easy to find from a breaker, plenty available, on ebay budget around £400 with a 3 month warranty. Fitting £350.

Last time I had to have work done on a Polo 1.2 head was a 2007 model done 40k with a misfire, job was remove head, fit new exhaust valves, put back together (this included new head gasket obviously) and the total bill was £400.

Do not let them rip your family off.

Edited by rallycross on Tuesday 13th January 10:51

[crofty1984]

Sounds like the dealer is trying to rape you. Right up the arse.

400 quid for a fking diagnosis?
100 quid trade-in?

My main goal would be to get them to give a reasonable fee for the diagnosis. Head off by a pro to the point you can look at the gasket shouldn't be more than an hour or two. Have them describe exactly what they did, preferably to a knowledgeable friend.
I'd say you could chuck that on autotrader, blown gasket and all and get 300 quid for it easily.

Id' be surprised if it DOES need a new engine, it's a head gasket, not a conrod through the block. If you do decide to put a new one in, it'll be a few hundred quid.

[McSam]

Sounds like they saw your relative coming from a mile away.

Astonishing that they think charging an absolutely excessive amount for simple diagnosis on a car they supplied and have looked after since is remotely reasonable. Looking over it should have been a goodwill gesture. Get the car out of there pronto, and if you're asked to pay any more than a couple of hours' labour for "work done" so far, start talking about getting Volkswagen UK involved. A company that trades on dependability can't very well be seen to have a seven-year-old car break and then use it as a chance shaft their customer on returning to the trusted dealer, can it?

Even if you don't want to get a recon engine in it (not a huge job and what I'd do, even if I still wanted to sell it on), it'd fetch a lot more than what they're offering. And even if it wouldn't, who would want to buy another car from these chancers?

[shalmaneser]

A head gasket job at a decent indie should be about £600. Do that. Don't pay £400 for the diagnosis.

[env]

Thanks - the dealer is in the Maidenhead area so if anyone can recommend a VW indi around there it would be helpful

I will keep you all updated, but thanks again

[B'stard Child]

shalmaneser said:

A head gasket job at a decent indie should be about £600. Do that. Don't pay £400 for the diagnosis.

Bit late for that the work assessing what is needed has already been done - read the OP

[illmonkey]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Check oil and coolant takes minutes. It took me half a day to take the head off my old corrado, at which point they may as well skim it and replace the gasket and put it back together. A days work at a garage, if that.

[B'stard Child]

env said:

Thanks - the dealer is in the Maidenhead area so if anyone can recommend a VW indi around there it would be helpful

I will keep you all updated, but thanks again

So it's worth £2500 to £3500 depending on condition and model

I reckon most people are right £600 should see it fixed if it's a head skim, new gasket and new bolts plus all the usual fluids

I'd ask the dealer to justify the £400 investigation charge - if it's just head inlet and exhaust manifold removal to inspect the gasket and find an assignable cause it sounds a bit rich to me - remind them of long standing customer.

It doesn't need to be a VW indy - any good proper old school garage should be able to sort it

Once I'd got a reduction off the £400 "investigation" charge - I think I'd tell em that you are very unlikely to use them again