Am I getting ripped off big time???

scattycat1 · Post by **scattycat1** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:13 am

Havent posted for a while but needed some advice from you guys.

Back in January I posted that I had a knocking noise coming from the front of my car, took my car in to the main dealer at least twice whilst still under the manufacturers warrenty, but they said they couldnt find anything wrong.

My cars just had it's 40,000 service at the main dealer, has been out of warrenty since March/April time (though that's not my fault, the FSA's), and suddenly they've found that the front anti-roll bar bushes are failing and need replacing ... at a cost of Â£198!

They also said that my bump stops they say are broken and need replacing ... at Â£183.

That my nearside rear alloy has a dent on the inside and needs replacing ... at Â£120.

They say that all 3 of these would be deemed as MOT failures (which mine is due this year March/April time).

Got a second quote as we were a bit peeved (especially after spending Â£1000 on it at its last service), and was told that the bushes could be done for Â£78 and the bump stops for Â£101 (the alloy we would probably still get from the main dealer).

Do you think that the prices I've been quoted are ok and that should bushes be failing on a car which is only 3 and a bit years old, and only done 38,250 miles?

BTW the 2nd quote people did say that they didnt think that the bump stops would be deemed a MOT failure

GaryUK · Post by **GaryUK** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:52 am

I would suggest that you get it done elsewhere, if you can find a reputable local garage / specialist it will be cheaper. I wouldn't be worried about keeping a full VW service history, the effect on value when you come to sell it will be small at worst.

If you do get the main dealer to do the repairs ask if they will contribute as you previously suspected a problem, and the fact your a very good customer! If they won't budge call VW customer service and explain the situation, you won't get if you don't ask.

alanred · Post by **alanred** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:30 am

Can i ask you how come it cost you a Â£1000 for a 40k service ?

damci · Post by **damci** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:30 am

I'm currently experiencing the same problem with my polo and its only done 19,000 miles

I wouldnt bother replacing them with VW parts as there bound to fail again, go for uprated ones, Powerflex do a kit which replaces all your bushes and it's Â£143.60 plus a couple of hours labour at your local veedub specialist.

As for not going to VW to get your repairs done, this will not affect your service history, as long as you get the car serviced at VW you will still have full VW service history. I have found that my local specialist is infact better and more trustworthy than my VW dealer.

scattycat1 · Post by **scattycat1** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:19 pm

Not sure how you do multiple quotes but anyway :

Gary : "If you do get the main dealer to do the repairs ask if they will contribute as you previously suspected a problem, and the fact your a very good customer! If they won't budge call VW customer service and explain the situation, you won't get if you don't ask."

They did look up on their system and saw that we had complained about the knocking noises - for nearly 2 years we have been - she did talk to a manager but we were told that there was no 'good will warrenty' on those parts - basically saying we'd still have to pay for it.

Alanred : "Can i ask you how come it cost you a Â£1000 for a 40k service ?"

The Â£1000 for for the last service (30,000 service) had to have new tyres. break discs and pads all round, and other stuff I cant even think of now! My 40,000 service cost Â£239.99.

Damci : "I'm currently experiencing the same problem with my polo and its only done 19,000 miles "

If your cars still under the manufacturers warrenty I'd read the small print and if it is covered (which I think anti-roll bar bushes are) I'd get them to replace as soon as, so you're not in the same position as me - wonder if this is perhaps a design flaw with polos and bushes?

I think i'm going to go to the place where we got a 2nd estimate, taking the car down this Saturday for them to have a proper look at it, but they do seem a good company, have heard lots of good things about them, espeically as they dont charge as much per hour as VW do for labour.

damci · Post by **damci** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:42 pm

No my cars just out of warranty so I will have to pay. This is a common problem on the 9n chassis and I've also heard of Ibiza's and Fabia's experiencing the same problem, it sounds like a definate design flaw to me and we have to pay for it which makes me angry

I have the parts already I just need to book it in to my local veedub specialist all together it will of set me back just over Â£200

Gra-GT · Post by **Gra-GT** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:39 pm

I've had a problem with my front passenger side wheel knocking for quite a few months now. Took it back to VW in September to get them to look at it under warrenty, they said it was the bushes needed replacing. They had to order it in so I had to go back AGAIN (at a cost for the courtesy car and incovenience of going into the middle of Wolverhampton City Centre at ruch hour

). They had it for two days and replaced them but it came back after about 2 weeks.

Took it back in last week as needed something else done under warrenty and asked them to look at it again. This time they said it was the anti roll bar bushes that need replacing, but they need to order a part!!!!

. Havent booked it back in yet, i'll leave it a while till something else goes wrong, he said it wasnt dangerouse.

The manager blokey said that they've had a bulletin about it that its a common problem and to replace them straight away. I believe this bulletin was sent out at least a year ago, so I would of thought you would be able to claim something, as its gone in numerous times but nothing was done about it when they know its a common fault.

scattycat1 · Post by **scattycat1** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:13 pm

Gra-GT wrote: The manager blokey said that they've had a bulletin about it that its a common problem and to replace them straight away. I believe this bulletin was sent out at least a year ago, so I would of thought you would be able to claim something, as its gone in numerous times but nothing was done about it when they know its a common fault.

Any idea how I could go about finding out what the bulletin number was on this, just I can then go armed with information demanding they do it for free ... hopefully!

M7 · Post by M7 » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:00 pm

my anti roll bar and bush needed replacing. my mot tester just advised that i get the work done and didnt fail the car

it went for a service at vw and they told me the parts had failed and said they would replace them on warrenty.
then decided not to as they didnt think the car was lowered
it was, i argued that they shouldnt have requested me to book it in for the work and only tell me 5 weeks down the line they werent gonna do the work! i argued somemore and got the work done!

Gra-GT · Post by **Gra-GT** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:10 pm

scattycat1 wrote:Any idea how I could go about finding out what the bulletin number was on this, just I can then go armed with information demanding they do it for free ... hopefully!

Sorry mate, havent got a clue about the number. Dont know if anyone else on here may know or have access to information like that. I know there is one person on here that works in a VW service centre (I think). Pretty sure he has a silver 9N GT, with body kit and has done quite a bit to it. Think he's usually in the know about that sort of thing. Cant remember his name though.

Hope someone knows who I'm talking about

carmadaaron · Post by **carmadaaron** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:23 pm

Gra-GT wrote:
scattycat1 wrote:Any idea how I could go about finding out what the bulletin number was on this, just I can then go armed with information demanding they do it for free ... hopefully!
Sorry mate, havent got a clue about the number. Dont know if anyone else on here may know or have access to information like that. I know there is one person on here that works in a VW service centre (I think). Pretty sure he has a silver 9N GT, with body kit and has done quite a bit to it. Think he's usually in the know about that sort of thing. Cant remember his name though.

Hope someone knows who I'm talking about

yorksGTtdi .. something like that

scattycat1 · Post by **scattycat1** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:17 pm

[quote yorksGTtdi .. something like that[/quote]

Many thanks!

scattycat1 · Post by **scattycat1** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:19 pm

Took my car in for a 2nd opinion on Saturday and they say that both the ARB's and the Bump Stops would not be MOT Failures and that instead of a total cost of Â£381 VW quoted, they have quoted me Â£179 (only 1 hours labour for each item, not 2 like VW quoted me).

I'm going to get the work done to the car, but at least I dont have to worry too much about getting it done before my MOT in March.