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Are you having problems with your Volkswagen? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Volkswagen issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Volkswagen in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
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It's easy to be cynical about the car industry, when it always seen to find new ways of getting money out of owners. So-called diagnostic checks do seem to be a way of charging for work that should be done by the dealership in the normal course of events when trying to find out what is wrong with a car that is playing up. They do appear to be the new norm in the industry. As for your resolutions regarding VW, I couldn't agree more.
We haven't had specific reports of this problem, but it does sound like a serious one that needs fixing urgently. It can be hard to determine the cause of a problem if it doesn't happen while the dealer has the car, but I would suggest you take it back to the dealer and ask them to check it again. I have heard of one car that had a problem with the throttle pedal position sensor, which on the surface sounds like a likely candidate for you problem.
You need to have the car repaired, there's no option. Refuse to give the loan car back until your car has been repaired, and ask the dealer to pressure VW into airfreighting the ECU in. It's absolutely unacceptable that VW cannot supply a part for three weeks. If they don't have the part available in a warehouse in this country they should be prepared to airfreight it in at its expense.
If you're happy with the original Bridgestones that could be the easier option, especially since they have lasted well, but I'm also hearing good things about the latest Kumho tyres and they are excellent value.
My choice would definitely be the Golf, for comfort and the range and economy on the highway. The XV is all right but not great, with a tiny boot, so the VW gets The Tick.
You have a reasonable claim against VW to have the gearbox replaced free of charge. The DSG gearbox is known to be troublesome and yours has a history of malfunctioning. Because the car is seven years old and VW isn’t very forthcoming on customer issues you will have to suit up and take them on, but the DSG transmission is a dud and the company knows it, and they should come clean and fix cars like yours that are having problems. If you can’t get anywhere with VW and give up, try an independent VW specialist mechanic.
You could go for a Mercedes-Benz GLC with similar features and save money. My choice — perhaps surprisingly — is the Jeep. Just make sure you find a good dealer.
I am not given to defending car companies or dealers, but your car is out of warranty, you have not been loyal on servicing regardless of the reason and at least they are offering some sort of contribution to the cost of the parts.