Invoice required to evidence genuine parts
Discussion
I've a Golf R with the standard weeping thermostat housing which was picked up during a service recently.
The car came with a decent amount of history, including an invoice from a specialist showing the water pump and thermostat housing was replaced 12 months ago. Having spoken to VW, this part is warrantied for 2 years and they are willing to undertake the repair, however, they are requesting an invoice from the specialist to confirm it was a genuine part that was fitted.
I have no doubt it was genuine due to the track record of the specialist, however they have not provided me with their invoice from VW TPS to evidence this. I understand invoices must be kept for 7 years for HMRC purposes, so this should be accessible, and I appreciate they have more important things to do than trawl through their records for something that is not going to be of any benefit to them, but beyond calling them repeatedly, is there anything else which can be used to perhaps encourage them along?
The car came with a decent amount of history, including an invoice from a specialist showing the water pump and thermostat housing was replaced 12 months ago. Having spoken to VW, this part is warrantied for 2 years and they are willing to undertake the repair, however, they are requesting an invoice from the specialist to confirm it was a genuine part that was fitted.
I have no doubt it was genuine due to the track record of the specialist, however they have not provided me with their invoice from VW TPS to evidence this. I understand invoices must be kept for 7 years for HMRC purposes, so this should be accessible, and I appreciate they have more important things to do than trawl through their records for something that is not going to be of any benefit to them, but beyond calling them repeatedly, is there anything else which can be used to perhaps encourage them along?
If it's a common part, the specialist will quite likely have it in stock, so won't have an invoice that can be directly tied to your car.
It's also quite likely that a specialist would use an 'OEM' part from GSF or wherever, which will be the exact same part that VW buy from one of their suppliers, just without a VW label or VW packaging. Dunno about VW particularly, but some specialists might prefer one of several suppliers who flog parts to carmakers, because they find them more reliable,
So unless the invoice you have states 'genuine VW parts', I would be cautious.
It's also quite likely that a specialist would use an 'OEM' part from GSF or wherever, which will be the exact same part that VW buy from one of their suppliers, just without a VW label or VW packaging. Dunno about VW particularly, but some specialists might prefer one of several suppliers who flog parts to carmakers, because they find them more reliable,
So unless the invoice you have states 'genuine VW parts', I would be cautious.
OutInTheShed said:
If it's a common part, the specialist will quite likely have it in stock, so won't have an invoice that can be directly tied to your car.
It's also quite likely that a specialist would use an 'OEM' part from GSF or wherever, which will be the exact same part that VW buy from one of their suppliers, just without a VW label or VW packaging. Dunno about VW particularly, but some specialists might prefer one of several suppliers who flog parts to carmakers, because they find them more reliable,
So unless the invoice you have states 'genuine VW parts', I would be cautious.
Even if it was in stock you’d expect the invoice to mention the SKU of parts fitted, if they’re a half decent outfit.It's also quite likely that a specialist would use an 'OEM' part from GSF or wherever, which will be the exact same part that VW buy from one of their suppliers, just without a VW label or VW packaging. Dunno about VW particularly, but some specialists might prefer one of several suppliers who flog parts to carmakers, because they find them more reliable,
So unless the invoice you have states 'genuine VW parts', I would be cautious.
You’re right on the second part though, more than likely a pattern part.
QJumper said:
If the part is warrantied for 2 years, then why not just ask the original specialist to replace it under warranty?
They've informed me that the labour cost associated with replacement is only applicable to the owner of the car at the time and isn't transferrable to the new owner (me). Also, they are based on the other side of the country so I'd prefer to have the work done at a local-ish VW dealer.Caddyshack said:
Maybe just buy the new part and not waste too much time chasing the old company. Sounds like there is a new and updated part now….assume it’s not a horrendously expensive part?
Not awful - thermostat housing was around £250 and water pump £80 - but labour is around the same as it's an awkward job (intake manifold off). All in it's around £800, but to pay that to replace a part that is still under warranty is a little galling.julian64 said:
surely if you book it in, and they start to dismantle it they will tell if its genuine or not.
So surely all you need is proof it was done?
That's what I assumed, but the VW main dealer won't undertake the warranty work unless I can evidence that the work done included the fitment of a genuine part. And for that they want to see the invoice from VW TPS when the part was fitted. I have the invoice for the work being carried out between the previous owner and the specialist, but VW want to see the invoice from the specialist and their parts supplier to confirm the part is genuine.So surely all you need is proof it was done?
Total pain.
roltyid said:
Caddyshack said:
Maybe just buy the new part and not waste too much time chasing the old company. Sounds like there is a new and updated part now….assume it’s not a horrendously expensive part?
Not awful - thermostat housing was around £250 and water pump £80 - but labour is around the same as it's an awkward job (intake manifold off). All in it's around £800, but to pay that to replace a part that is still under warranty is a little galling.It may not be even feasible for the garage to locate the invoice for that specific part nor demonstrate that it's the one that went on your car.
I'm surprised that vw are willing to undertake the whole job under warranty. I would have thought that your recourse would be that the garage that did the work for you would claim a new part under warranty. Then their labour charge would be under the terms of your agreement with them for the work.
I'm surprised that vw are willing to undertake the whole job under warranty. I would have thought that your recourse would be that the garage that did the work for you would claim a new part under warranty. Then their labour charge would be under the terms of your agreement with them for the work.
I work in a garage and order most of the parts for it. There is no requirement to keep invoices for 7 years.
We order parts with a generated order number, when it comes into stock it is recieved under that order number and invoice is destroyed once the info is digitised.
If this is for stock it will get a label printed for eventual scanning onto a job, if it was ordered for a specific job it will be reasonably traceable, they can use your reg to print off the job card and parts and labour details.
We order parts with a generated order number, when it comes into stock it is recieved under that order number and invoice is destroyed once the info is digitised.
If this is for stock it will get a label printed for eventual scanning onto a job, if it was ordered for a specific job it will be reasonably traceable, they can use your reg to print off the job card and parts and labour details.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff