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Poor VW Service cannot be tolerated
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:47 am
by morrismen
VW Service and Customer Service are appalling.
The Pedal Box Recall was handled terribly by VW and its dealers, and what makes it worse is that VW are not prepared to compensate owners for their VW dealers poor workmanship, rather it is expected that the owners have to barter with dealers to fix problems they cause with their work on the car during this recall.
VW Customer Service have taken the view that if VW dealers are not going to pay for fixes to problems they have caused, then it is down to the owner to pay for it. I find this completely unacceptable and have told them so
So, I have finally taken the decision to sell my beloved VW GTi. Currently looking for another manufacturers car.

Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:47 pm
by ali
My GTi averaged back to the dealers every 4 months (servicing/warranty work, fixing poor warranty work) over 4 1/2 years. Replaced the car with second hand Honda Civic Type R, never had any problems in 11 months.
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 8:42 pm
by Dangerous Dave
Must be a lucky one as my VW dealer is excellent, pedalbox recall was done well and they even cleaned the car at the same time (also do this at each service). I then got a full refund for the pedal box I had paid for 2 months before. When my water pump went they didn't have a space for a week but said to drop it off and they would try and fit it in ,next day I had the car back repaired!
I have done 42k in 3 years myself and have been happy with the car. (Still think it would have been a much better GTi with the 1.8T in it like the Ibiza Cupra though)
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:42 pm
by Si_GTi
I'm with Dave, I've had nothing but great service from my local dealership. After some teething troubles during the 12-month warranty period (mostly electrical niggles) it's been fine. They didn't know about the recall when I booked the car in for the work but got on the blower to VW customer services when I produced the letter and it was sorted the next day
Of course not every dealer is the same, no-one's perfect and if you've had nothing but bad or average service then it doesn't cast a good light over the rest of the dealer network I suppose...
Sorry to hear you're selling up, but good luck with finiding a replacement!
Cheers
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 5:32 pm
by blackgti2000
Took car in today to get the cluth pedal looked at, need a new pedal box as something has bent or something. Just got the pedal box recall done 3 month ago when we got the car so not amused

And so it goes on...
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:48 am
by morrismen
The Pedal Box recall was not successful. I know one whose pedal box collapsed under heavy braking - after the new 6X pedal box was fitted
Customer Service in the VW dealerships is generally okay, though they don't admit to CREATING problems and rather have customers pay (and prove) it was the dealerships doing. If there is any dispute, VW Customer Services are no help what-so-ever. You may as well pi$$ in the wind as what ever you tell them comes right back in your face the same way.
Anyway, I've sold my Polo GTi now and bought another trusty Ford.

I'm glad to be rid of the poor service that comes with the VW brand.

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:12 pm
by Rozzie
i tend to agree with Dave, never had a problem with VW. My mum and dad both own VW's too and we love the service we get.
Volkswagen are far better cars than a lot of others out there.
Boo to you who dont agree

Really?
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 9:08 am
by morrismen
I have never had ANYTHING
permanently FIXED by a VW dealer, rather they seem to keep your car for a day or more, spray a bit of WD40 on the problem and hope that cures it for a while (until you sell the car they hope

). Well, its worked for me.
The only competent thing I had done was a scheduled service, which basically came down to an oil change, and I may as well have done that myself
But VW Customer Service will eventually get you in a tight spot between the dealer and themselves with you arbitrating and getting nowhere, and then you'll see what I mean. When you become the piggy-in-the-middle, then you'll probably change your mind
Good Luck!

My GTi goes
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:38 pm
by morrismen
My lovely GTi is gone on Wednesday. I am going for a car manufacturer with a decent service record.
It's been a pleasure sharing info with all you guys.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:28 pm
by M@Turner
Its a shame to see you go mate. Its a pity that you haven't had much look with your car or VW customer service.
If your after a manufacturer with good service records, it looks like your going with a Japanese car then.
Mat
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:02 pm
by cyhliu
Dude, sorry to hear you go mate, still pop in and say hello when you are free and remember to let us know what you decided to get as a replacement to the GTI and your opinions.
Went for...
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:11 pm
by morrismen
Well, I went for a Fiesta ST - these are blooming great!
Ford Service is impecable - they deal with problems at the dealership quickly and effectively - not like VW Service (or lack of it) and the parts are real cheap comparitively - not that I need to worry with a manufacturers 3 year warranty

Well pleased.
Will be back on my previous Ford Forum now. Thanks for all the feedback and info over the past year.

Laters.
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:19 pm
by Prash
good choice mate, tbh i'd be selling the polo and getting something more reliable and fun if I had the money, enjoy your new car

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:41 pm
by andyd
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:47 pm
by jimmadee
Out of interest what are you having done to the car?, I've had the egnine speed and cam sensor go.
The speed sensor is on back order and they say i'll have to wait 12 days!.
I just hope that this won't be like my car mats which have been on back order for 3 months!.