Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

The Tiguan is getting old and the Qashqai is brand-spanking, the latter also with much better warranty and service back-up. Neither is my favourite in the class but I'd go for the Qashqai.

That Tiguan is getting old and a customer complaint is not unusual for Volkswagen. If he wants the best car then, it's the CX-5 but the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage also get The Tick and are the value champions.

We received the same response when we approached VW on the matter, it seems the company is washing its hands of the problem, saying in effect that it's not theirs alone, that it affects other car makers and makers of other products as well. Disappointing when you've got a car with blotchy marks all over it. From what we understand the marks are a result of titanium dioxide that have been used in sunscreens over the last few years. It's uncertain which is the best way to fix it once it's occurred, some say buff it out, others say used a citrus-based cleaner. I would consult a detailer near you to find out what they do to fix it, or you could contact our paint expect, Graeme Cuthbert, on 0422 444 335. This should also serve as a warning for everyone with a car built after about 2007, wash your hands, and your kid's hands, after using sun cream and before touching the paintwork on your car.

There was a recall in 2012 to check for a fractured fuel pipe on the diesels, which could cause a leak and fire, but yours should have been checked and presumably cleared by the dealer at a service. The concerns about the DSG gearbox in VWs doesn't apply to your vehicle, as the problem only affects the six-speed 'box and not the 7-speed that's in your car. I wouldn't be concerned about anything with your car, it's hardly done any miles and should have plenty of life left in it.

It is disappointing when you have spent a lot of money buying what you believed was a quality product to find the truth to be something else. Getting the runaround from the company just adds to the frustration. The only thing you can take some comfort from is that the problems to date have been fixed, and you really can't predict what might or might not happen in the future.

The Tiguan is good enough, but Mazda's CX-5 is even better.

I would go for the Qashqai ahead of the Tiguan and Compass.

Before they fitted the parts, particularly when they're expensive ones like the diff, they should have sought your approval to proceed. If they have, and you have agreed to fit the parts, you are liable to pay for them, even though they might not have fixed the problem. If they haven't got your permission to go ahead then you have grounds for refusing to pay for the parts. If they refuse to spend any more time on your car, or can't resolve the problem, you're really left with no alternative but to seek another repairer who would seek to solve it.