Volkswagen UK customer service
17-May-2008
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Volkswagen UK customer service

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In the past few months I have received numerous emails and responses to a gripe about the quality of customer service provided at various UK Volkswagen dealerships around the country.  I'm sure the customer service at VW isn't always this bad, but as ever it is probably a good idea to take into account the opinions of others before embarking on any purchase or handing over hard earned cash!

Various gripes about Volkswagen UK customer service

Volkswagen UK customer service - VW Logo

P. Bevin - Here's a review of sorts for you. Ever contacted Volkswagen UK customer services to try to resolve a problem with one of their franchises?  Don't bother - the bottom line is they have little or no influence.  I experienced the worst ever customer service from Croydon Volkswagen, they wouldn't reply to letters or phone calls from me over a disputed bill and then ignored Volkswagen UK when I turned to them for assistance.  Ridiculous when you consider the new car I’m getting this year was going to be a Volkswagen and will now be a Honda thanks to this awful experience.

MG - My new Volkswagen Passat (6 months old) has been in Beadles Bromley center for the past 2 weeks.  The problem this time is that the car cannot be locked.  They tried to change everything, but still cannot get it working.  I am extremely frustrated with Volkswagen because I do not know where or how to contact them.  The only route as far as I can see is to contact Volkswagen through one of the franchises.  My car has been in for the service for almost a month now during the past 6 months.  In my opinion, Volkswagen service is not exactly the best in the world.

Margaret - I bought a new Polo 1.4 FSI in November 2003.  It has had two non-standard faults.  The first when the car cut out for no apparent reason, randomly.  The VW garage in Guildford could not find the fault until I refused to return the coutesy car until they did.  Lo and behold the fault was found (a chip in the engine not recognising the ignition key even when it has been running for some miles).  The garage were very dismissive of me (as a woman) but did eventually mend it under warranty.  It is a few months out of warranty and has done 31,000 miles and the catalytic converter has gone which I am told will costs £700 for parts, let alone labour!  This is the second non-standard fault on the car and the local VW agent (Martin's in Farnham) are not prepared to make a goodwill gesture.  Grrrh!

Annoyed - I ordered a brand new Volkswagen from JCT 600 of Wakefield, West Yorkshire on 31st March 2007, at that point we had not had the best customer service from and were treated a bit patronisingly (maybe should've thought twice then!).  I purchased the EOS and my partner wanted to purchase the Golf GTI as his company car.  I was allowed to test drive the EOS, however my partner was not allowed to test drive the GTI!  (Consequently he took his business elsewhere and ordered a Honda).  I was contacted a week after my order; since then, nothing.  I have made contact with them, but not had my call returned, nor is there a definite delivery date on my car despite being told 8-12 weeks.  When I do contact them I am treated as a hindrance and feel that I am wasting the sales rep's time.  I am very unhappy and can’t really in all confidence recommend this particular VW dealership to anyone.

S Hussain - I own a VW Touareg and believe me I have had 2 years of nothing but pain from this dealer in Twickenham.  If you can get past the feisty receptionists you are very lucky!  I have called 3 times in as many days and they do not bother to call me back.  Compared to BMW who were always keen to help and very polite, always requesting feedback on their service - I can't stand VW and cant wait to change manufacture

Anonymous - I have just had my VW Golf to a main dealer for service and it has come back with more faults than it went with, i.e.  leaky rear wash wipe, broken exhaust bracket etc.  About a day after the service, the engine management light came on, faulty ignition coil!  Guess what, I have now got to wait 3 weeks for a spare, because there aren't any - it really makes you wonder!  I am seriously considering abandoning my brand loyalty - I've had VW cars for 20 years!

By: Volkswagen Customers


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The worst VW dealership in the Uk has to be Des Winks of Scarbrough never ever trust this dealer they even broke data proctecion law regarding my personal details
*the bad man martin  14-May-2008 16:36

 
have a problem with vw want to take vw or vw dealer to court email saintdevelopments@tiscali.co.uk
*r32 saint  14-May-2008 15:06

 
We have owned a Sharan for four years from new. It is converted to take a wheelchair as my daughter is severely disabled. Two & half weeks ago we took it to the local VW dealer as a light had come on on the dash. Turns out it needs over £2,000 worth of repairs!!! It's a VR6 engine, and has only done 35,000 miles? The engine needs to be removed so they can changed the cam chains, sprockets, and adjusters. We were stunned. We contacted VW, and although the car is out of warranty, they did say they may contribute something towards the repair, and would give us an answer within 48 hours. Although that was two weeks ago! Despite numerous phone calls, we seem to be getting no where. In a week & half we're supposed to be taking our daughter on holiday. She only gets one holiday a year. Now, thanks to VW, it looks like we might not be going. Surely VW engines are supposed to last more than 35,000 miles?
*Stunned  13-May-2008 18:14

 
Vw high wycombe. They completely mis-sold the car, it wasn't as advertised. The service was rubbish, they didn't return my calls. I would advise you all not to go there. They and head office have no answers and do not treat customers fairly. If a car is advertised to have cruise control and if the salesman saiys the car has eletric folding mirrors, I expect it. They rip you off
*K  09-May-2008 20:53

 
I booked my volkswagen golf in at guilders (rotherham) for a replacement overhead cam. 17 days later the car had not been touched apparently due to lack of engineers! The car was tranfered to Hillsborough volkswagon in sheffield and was completed in 2 days. Avoid GUILDERS ROTHERHAM. Yours sincererly. next tour de france winner!
*Paul of Worksop  09-May-2008 13:28

 
:I bought a 3 year old VW Golf TDI GT January 2008 from a VW dealership with a VW 1 year warranty and two months on have got an "airbag faulty" message come up on the computer.

I have been told that the fault is in the wiring and that though VW WILL guarantee the components the warranty does NOT cover the wiring (if I had looked at the small print I would have seen this clause). Hence I am to be charged £110

I paid a premium for a quality car...a Ford or Peugeot would have been cheaper.

Are VW saying that the quality of the wiring is not up to the standard of the components?

I play the electric guitar..OK if I break a string I replace it but if the wiring broke down would it be covered by warranty? Of course it would!

What is going on? VW

Please explain
*Rick  06-May-2008 13:24

 
I am having a hell of bad experience with the after sales service in Egypt , any ideas ?!!
*Ahmed  26-Apr-2008 22:34

 
The standard of customer service offered by Volswagen franchise dealerships is extremely poor. The views of P Bevin at the top of this page are 100% correct, having experienced them myself. Also, if they tell you they will call you back, this VERY rarely happens. DO NOT expect any help or consideration from Volkswagen dealerships or thier "customer care" line.
*Dave  23-Apr-2008 12:41

 
If you expect especially competent service just because you've gone to a main-dealer and paid a lot, you are mistaken. What seems to matter is how many trainees/kids are in the workshop, what jobs they are allowed to do and how well they are supervised.

Got my Golf home from a mega-service to find no visible coolant in the expansion tank (was a bit in the system 'cos a bit of splash up if the hoses squeezed). Yet the on my bill was the special VW 'magic' antifreeze.

Yes, I went straight back. They sent a teenager out, he filled a watering can from a wall mounted tap in filled up the system with just erm..water.

'What about the antifreeze/inhibitor concentration now?', I asked.
'Eh?' he replied.
'Is there any in there or bit, diluted to uselessness?'

The service manager arranged a proper drain/re-fill and eventually admitted to the unsupervised beginers scenario described at the start.

Seems that this is common. Depends on calibre of the workshop manager. Lots of good ones go set up for themselves.
*JohnBoy  19-Apr-2008 13:31

 
Any problems with vw cars or dealers please email to me at saintdevelopments@tiscali.co.uk
I can then make sure the UK group MD sees all the complaints thanks
*r32 demom  11-Apr-2008 12:21

 
I have had my Passatt for 2 years. I may as well have a permanent space in the local VW garage. I had to call out VW assist 5 times in the first year and has been back 8 times since. The dealer does not have the space or time to complete tasks efficiently. The car ALWAYS comes back with scuffs or chips on the paint work.... ALWAYS! I have owned VW's for over 14 years and will never purchase another. I would never recommend VW to a friend... or an enemy. I have little confidence left in my car and wish I hadn't purchased it.
*Just say NO!  10-Apr-2008 09:18

 
vw would rather take customers to court than repair your car
*tony  02-Apr-2008 11:32


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