UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi, This is my first post here and thanks for having me. My wife purchased a brand new 1.0 litre SEL 110ps in white in July and since day1 we have experienced problems with the car which seam to be getting much worse.

The problem we are worried about is a loud clunk changing gears like a clunking sound when we drive the car and is when the clutch engages the gear either from 1st-2nd or 2nd-3rd it does it in all the gears but more noticeable 1/2/3.

We have had the car back to 2x VW dealers and they are saying it is operational noise which I am not agreeing to as it is very audible from inside the car and not very nice to drive at all. Most the time it is very hard to put in reverse gear ( Have to double clutch ) and 1st gear is sometimes also hard.

I have had a 2x local VW specialist drive the car and they tell me the same as me something not right as they can also hear and feel the clunking through the pedals.

I have tried to test drive another identical car at VW but been let down the last 2 times saying the car is in for a test drive only to travel 1hour and be told sorry its either been Sold or its still out with the customer. On the last visit the Master Technician test drove my car and stated I don't need to test drive their car as he would do it when it comes back from the customer.

3 Days later again after contacting me when they said they would I had to ring the dealership again and was told it was an operational noise because their car was the same. I have now written to VW direct to see if I can get this mess sorted out and told them I was willing to get 2 separate reports on the car from Independent sources stating the problems with the car from my local VW specialist who said they would be happy to help me.

After I sent an Email to VW UK a few days later I got a text from a lady called Lorraine who said she was going to be dealing with my complaint and she would ring me within 24hrs but never did so I had to ring her today but was told she finishes at 4pm and would ring me tomorrow so just waiting for tomorrow.

Sorry for the rant but feeling a little let down to say the least at the moment with VW as the car is costing us a fortune and 5 more years to pay for it ( Bank Loan ) and is horrible to drive.
I'm hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

I might see if I can do video of the problem as I'm sure it will pick the clunking noise up.

Not good when you have paid proper money for a car that is well up that model's range!
My wife has an late August 2015 Polo 1.2TSI 110 SEL and it is good to drive with no nasty vices.
What model/make of car did she drive prior to this - really out of interest?

The wife had the Fiesta 1.0 litre 125bhp Titanium before she Part Exchanged it for the Polo ( Big Mistake ) but she liked the look of the Polo and the features as in the LED headlights etc.

I can't get my head around why the VW Technician's feel it is a "normal operational noise" in my view it's very prominent and NOT normal at all. I am so confident the car has a problem/fault that I would be willing to pay out my own pocket for an Independent report AA/RAC or what ever it takes to prove the car is not as it should be.

If VW own car ( Courtesy Car ) shows the same symptoms then a recall should be made on this model. I did test drive a 1.2 TSI 2015 15 plate ( 5 speed manual ) and that was perfect no problems at all.

If I test drove a car and I heard any "operation noise" not to my liking I'd say goodbye and look at another make / model of car. I would imagine 95% of their customers would do the same leaving VW bankrupt. These VW dealers are trying to fob you off, they want you to go away - I dislike poor customer service with a vengeance. Keep on it and they will (and are obliged) to sort it out for you.

Video might be a good idea, I have the same model and can't say that I've heard any strange unexplained noises. I do get tyre roar (flapping noises) but that's not the fault of the car.

I have a 2 week old 1.0tsi 110 SEL.

It occasionally sticks into first gear. Not heard any clunks at all. I've covered 1100 miles so far.

Hope that helps.

By the way, it is the 6MT box that my wife's car has.

Tried a quick video tonight and you can hear the Clunk between gear changes but in real life it is more of a metallic metal to metal sound than a thud as in the video and the phones audio was unsuitable really.

5 seconds in I change to 2nd gear then 10 seconds 2nd-3rd.

https://youtu.be/8AzY_mHpG0U

Looked at your video and it doesn't seem right !
We all get the odd clunks and knocks in the car and I've had the odd clunk from the gearbox but 99% of the time it is a completely quiet gear change and it's the same car as yours.
If I was to try a used car and it made that noise I wouldn't buy it.
The problem with a new car is you don't try it before you've bought it, I would try another VW dealer if you don't get anywhere with the current one (and continue to hassle VW).
Have you tried "Volkswagen UK Help" on Twitter they're answering you on line and are less likely to fob you off ?
I hope you get it sorted, let us all know how you get on.

VW UK is now involved, they are going to ring me Tomorrow Monday 10th, If I don't get it sorted and they insist is it's a " Operational Noise " then I have a plan B which is getting 2 independent reports from the iaea ( The institute of automotive Engineer Assessors ) the I will hit them with The Consumer Rights Act which came into force on 1 October 2015 and Reject the car.

Just because they are a large company that doesn't mean they can push me aside and hope I go away because I won't .

don't know if this is your problem but have all engine mounts checked. is the clunk more noticeable if you boot it (accelerate hard from the off)

if you don't get any joy threaten to go to national press they love stories like this, big companies do NOT. you might even get free stuff just stick to facts they can not argue (ones you have proof of and always get the full name of who you speak to keep a record of all of them. hope this helps good luck

Any news

**UPDATE**

Spoke to VW UK and because 2 VW technicians have looked at the car from 2 different dealerships, both come to a conclusion it is an "Operational Noise" so not a fault with the car.
I wanted a like for like test drive in the same car but not 1 local VW dealership has one in stock.

I'm getting a little fed up with it all to be honest and been Quoted £125 for an Independent report which VW say they can not accept as they have their own trained mechanics which have already gave them a reply to say it's an (Operational Noise).

Everyone who has drove the car or been in the car can hear this horrendous noise but VW think it's normal. I have 2 options now which are part exchange the shed I mean the car and get an auto ( DSG ) and pay around another 6k or carry on with the route of rejection.

Hi

I have the same car, nothing to complain about here. The gearbox is smooth and the sounds it does make are satisfying.

I definitely do not need to double clutch to go in reverse. Clutch down, press gearbox down and into reserve in one go.

In regards to your video, should I get one for you too to compare it with?