VW's - are they crap?
Discussion
Right, I was thinking about a MK6 GTI DSG, or a Scirocco DSG as my next car, but I've heard so many bad things about VW build quality and customer care I'm seriously thinking twice.
Are they that bad? - two real-life examples, my mum had a Mk4 GTI 2.0 which broke down 3 times within the first 6 months, and had rattles that the dealer couldn't sort. She experienced really poor aftersales care - basically the VW dealer couldn't give a stuff about these issues.
Second example, a friend of mine bought a MkV GTI manual - 06 reg. It leaked from the rear lights and rear window seals and flooded the boot floor and rear seats. Again crap customer service ensued.
So, are they really as bad as the nay-sayers say they are?
Are they that bad? - two real-life examples, my mum had a Mk4 GTI 2.0 which broke down 3 times within the first 6 months, and had rattles that the dealer couldn't sort. She experienced really poor aftersales care - basically the VW dealer couldn't give a stuff about these issues.
Second example, a friend of mine bought a MkV GTI manual - 06 reg. It leaked from the rear lights and rear window seals and flooded the boot floor and rear seats. Again crap customer service ensued.
So, are they really as bad as the nay-sayers say they are?
On the other hand of the scale I had a Mk5 GT TDi for 4 years (05 reg) and not 1 single thing went wrong over 75k miles. (1 recall for a flywheel sensor or something. Done whilst servicing the car)
My wife has one of the last Mk5 GT TDi and everything's fine (57 reg - 30k miles).
I now have a 09 Passat cc and I love it. It doesn't feel like something is going to go wrong anytime soon either (12000 miles)
Obviously in the light of the comments above I cannot rate their customer service since nothing has gone wrong. All I can say is that the 2 dealers I have used have always returned the cars cleaned after a service.
VW Insurance now are utter rubbish...when you manage to speak to them!!!
My wife has one of the last Mk5 GT TDi and everything's fine (57 reg - 30k miles).
I now have a 09 Passat cc and I love it. It doesn't feel like something is going to go wrong anytime soon either (12000 miles)
Obviously in the light of the comments above I cannot rate their customer service since nothing has gone wrong. All I can say is that the 2 dealers I have used have always returned the cars cleaned after a service.
VW Insurance now are utter rubbish...when you manage to speak to them!!!
I can only speak from my own experience.
I bought a brand new MK5 GT TDI in Sept 07
23k miles later nothing's fallen off or broken. It's been to the dealer twice - once for a general service and once for an air-con service.
There's a bit of a rattle from behind the dash that the dealer has offered to try and sort out but they want it for 2 days to strip the dash out and locate the fault. Can't be arsed.
Apart from that it's fine. Uses a lot of oil but that's normal apparently.
I'd buy another, and may very well do so next year.
I bought a brand new MK5 GT TDI in Sept 07
23k miles later nothing's fallen off or broken. It's been to the dealer twice - once for a general service and once for an air-con service.
There's a bit of a rattle from behind the dash that the dealer has offered to try and sort out but they want it for 2 days to strip the dash out and locate the fault. Can't be arsed.
Apart from that it's fine. Uses a lot of oil but that's normal apparently.
I'd buy another, and may very well do so next year.
You've both been very lucky - have you seen the CarbyCarBreakdown on the HonestJohn site for the Mk V Golf: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
The ABS failing has been a big issue over the last few months on many VAG cars resulting in a £1500 bill just out of warranty and they've only recently agreed to pay for it, as a result of the trade knocking the p/x prices down in case they get caught with it.
The ABS failing has been a big issue over the last few months on many VAG cars resulting in a £1500 bill just out of warranty and they've only recently agreed to pay for it, as a result of the trade knocking the p/x prices down in case they get caught with it.
I think really it depends on the local dealer to a certain extent, i've got a 59 plate 'roc & it had to go in & have a new shock absorber which my local dealer dealt with very quickly & painlessly & i was suitably surprised as i didn't have much confidence in this dealer before having tried to deal with their sales team but aftersales i can't fault much currently. i will agree vw head office are abit rubbish at times though but heard of worse
as for build quality i've had someone (who used to work in aircraft engineering & is Very picky) take a very good look round their 'roc & comment that the build quality is to a very high standard.
as for build quality i've had someone (who used to work in aircraft engineering & is Very picky) take a very good look round their 'roc & comment that the build quality is to a very high standard.
Cars are generally good if they have been looked after, although there seemed to be a large rise in silly electrical issues in recent years.
All dealers are poo poo poo and I dont care what anyone says they are super s
te and that is the only reason that has stopped me ever buying a new one.
All dealers are poo poo poo and I dont care what anyone says they are super s
te and that is the only reason that has stopped me ever buying a new one.
I've just clocked up 2000 miles in my 2.0TSI GT ROC, with DSG. I'm really happy with it, Everything is working as it should, no rattles, niggles or problems and is proper quick, coupled with a lovely exhaust note under acceleration.
The DSG is a joy although I am still getting used to it - Do I need normal "D" kickdown, Sport, or manual mode for my overtake! The DCC auto suspension changes can be really noticed although "sport" is a little harsh.
The only issue is the lead time - I ordered the car on 4th June and I got it in October!
The DSG is a joy although I am still getting used to it - Do I need normal "D" kickdown, Sport, or manual mode for my overtake! The DCC auto suspension changes can be really noticed although "sport" is a little harsh.
The only issue is the lead time - I ordered the car on 4th June and I got it in October!
Deva Link said:
All the mainstream VAG brands, with the exception of Skoda, seem to have real issues with customer service at both the dealership and UK head office level.
Completely agreeOther than that they are generally very good IMO, especially the MK6 Golf and Scirocco, which are awesome cars. Neither have any build quality issues that I've noticed.
Deva Link said:
You've both been very lucky - have you seen the CarbyCarBreakdown on the HonestJohn site for the Mk V Golf: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=...
The ABS failing has been a big issue over the last few months on many VAG cars resulting in a £1500 bill just out of warranty and they've only recently agreed to pay for it, as a result of the trade knocking the p/x prices down in case they get caught with it.
I had a feeling that would have an impact on the residuals once it became more mainstream. From wht I remember they changed the part over in 2007, so anything from before that on a MK5 platform can get the fault.The ABS failing has been a big issue over the last few months on many VAG cars resulting in a £1500 bill just out of warranty and they've only recently agreed to pay for it, as a result of the trade knocking the p/x prices down in case they get caught with it.
Shame watchdog never covered it.
Edited by va1o on Friday 27th November 21:33
va1o said:
Deva Link said:
All the mainstream VAG brands, with the exception of Skoda, seem to have real issues with customer service at both the dealership and UK head office level.
Completely agreeOther than that they are generally very good IMO, especially the MK6 Golf and Scirocco, which are awesome cars. Neither have any build quality issues that I've noticed.
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