We have experienced a horrible attitude from Volkswagen UK customer service. We have experienced timing chain faliure at 63k miles which resulted in catastrophic engine damage, this is the same timing chain failure well documented online over the whole VW petrol engine range, 2009-2013 fitted with timing chains and tensioners.
Our polo has a full service history, every 10k miles or less, with 6 full services since new. The car has 60000 miles on the clock and is 5 years old.
The cost was £1900 repair bill to rebuild the engine top half
VW describe the timing chain as a 'lifetime part' and state it is 'non serviceable'
VW Customer service offer us a free service for our troubles and say that 'car parts do fail' which is why they offer 3 year warranty.
VW customer service points out that our £1900 repair is covered with a 2 year warranty to put our mind at ease
AVOID AVOID AVOID THESE 2009-2013 MODELS WITH THE FAULT TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. VW UPDATED THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IN 2013. THE PART FITTED AFTER MID 2013 IS PHYSICALLY COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER TO THOSE <2013. VW NORTH AMERICA, VW AUSTRALIA, VW SOUTH AFRICA ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE ENGINES, AND CREATED WORKSHOP BULLETINS ADVISING THE PARTS CHANGED. VW UK DOES NOTHING.
I WILL NOW FULLY GRAPHIC SIGN MY POLO WARNING PEOPLE OF THIS ISSUE AND WILL DRIVE THIS CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS. I hope you enjoy the pictures when I have the vehicle signed.
