warranty & free check

[memm]

Hi,

my car needs a service, and because my 2 year warranty will expire in a few month I asked whether (after the service I obviously have to pay for) they can check the car for free if they have it anyway and repair any problems. That was one hour ago and they told me they could. Now, one hour later I called to book an appointment and they told me they can't check the car for free. They can check the car and if there is no problem they will charge for checking the car.

I think that's quite strange, especially because the dealer where I bought the car (on the continent) checked my car in the past for free and even wrote me a letter saying I should bring the car in, so that they can check it for free.... (But it's on the continent, so the next time i would probably get there is after the 2 year warranty is over)

Is it worth trying to ring other dealers to ask whether they check the car? Or do they all charge to check the car, even if there's still warranty?

[pettsy]

They can check the car and if there is no problem they will charge for checking the car.

can you not make a little problem that you can fix yourself...

then when they find it, say you don't want it sorting, but thanks for the check!

[memm]

can you not make a little problem that you can fix yourself...

then when they find it, say you don't want it sorting, but thanks for the check!

I thought about that as well, but ...

All I want in the end is for them to connect their computer to check whether there are any error codes stored in the Polo. (and if there is one fix the problem) The car always needs too much petrol, and last time another garage connected their equipment and they saw immediately that a temperature sensor in the engine (or sth like that) was broken. Connecting their VAG COM equipment is not a lot of work, especially if they have the car anyway for an inspection, but if they dont find an problem they will charge me.
I know a few things that will produce an error that they would see (e.g. disconnecting the cables for the seat (airbag control) and turn on the car), but I don't really want to do that...
It's ridiclous, on one hand VW builds the Polo so that it knows if something is wrong, on the other hand, you can't find out, and if you want your dealer to find out it becomes a lottery, because they will charge you if there is no problem

[Nelson_Wilbury]

Problem is, in this day in age time = money.

The VAG machines are paid for out of a Dealers pocket and if they want to charge for it, they are more than within there rights to.

Perhaps you caught them at a busy period? I've found that if a dealer is quiet they will sometimes sort minor things (replacing bulbs etc) free of charge. Try asking another dealer if you can to see what response you get.

[dxg]

When you brought your car into the UK, did you register it with VW UK? This might get you the three year warranty - I'm not sure, but it's worth a shot.

This worked for a friend who bought an imported RHD Golf, but he did register it quite soon after it arrived in the UK.

There's a phone number hidden away on VW's website somewhere.