Volkswagen Problems

You must replace it; the car isn't legal if you don't because the part is a part of the exhaust emission control system, which is required by law to be functional. Going to a van of another make is an expensive move, one that needs careful consideration.

Don't listen to "European car motor mechanics" for starters. I reckon if you checked in his back yard you'd find it full of Passat engines he would like to sell you. It's not a good idea to only do very short runs where the engine, gearbox and differential don't get a chance to warm-up, but runs of 10 to 50 km are fine.

Our information from VW's commercial vehicles people is that they are unaware of any issue with the Amarok wiring. They source their dealer-fit tow bars locally and there's no issue with them, which suggests there isn't an issue with local tow bars/trailer wiring. They did tell us that an adaptor is needed for trailers with LED lights and that all VW dealers have the adaptor available. Beyond that I would suggest you go back to your dealer and discuss the issue with them.

You would certainly appear to have cause for grievance. The only thing you can do is to make it perfectly clear to the dealer and VW that you are very unhappy with the product they have sold you. You could also consult the consumer affairs people in WA and put your case to them that you believe the Polo you have been sold is not fit for the purpose for which it was sold.

Under the Australian Consumer Law introduced in January 2011, a consumer can request a refund or a replacement for persistent problems if the car doesn’t do the job it’s supposed to do.

We have sent your complaints on to VW, as we will do with any other report of a DSG problem we receive, and seek an explanation of the problem and what the company is doing to fix it.

Unless you can show that the cat converter fitted in 2007 was in some way faulty I would think you would have to pay the full cost of a replacement now. The Polo is out of warranty, so I would suggest you consult an independent VW specialist who would likely be able to supply a cheaper converter.

We contacted VW on behalf of Tim and his girlfriend and they told us that they believe the car had been running on regular unleaded when it needs 98-octane as specified. A visual check by the dealer of the fuel in the car indicated that it was 91-octane, being pink in colour. VW also claimed that Tim and his girlfriend were told to use the high-grade fuel when they bought the car. Despite VW's assertion that the car has been run on the correct fuel in the vehicle, they offered to discount the cost of a replacement engine. Tim's girlfriend disputes VW's claims, she says was told that her car could run on 95-octane fuel if she used 98-octane fuel on long trips, and that's what she has done. What's more she has taken her own sample of the fuel and claims that it is the correct fuel, not the low octane fuel VW say it is. Clearly this has reached an impasse and needs a moderator to settle the issue. One thing that other VW owners should take out of it is that you must run your cars on the recommended fuel, no matter what. If it says 98-octane fuel, run it on that fuel, even if it is more expensive, the potential problems of not doing so don't bear thinking about.

 Yes, if it is genuinely reconditioned and comes with a warranty.

Check the catalytic converter to make sure it hasn’t collapsed internally and is blocking the exhaust flow.