Volkswagen UK customer service
18-March-2010
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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 a Surrey based Volkswagen dealer, 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 the Volkswagen garage 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 a West Yorkshire dealer 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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Peter Cooper Southampton, poor customer care, arrogant attitude, late delivery, no apologies. Buy from another dealership.
*jan and jim  17-Mar-2010 23:15

 
Very poor customer service from Peter Cooper Southampton whilst buying a new polo. Mislead on delivery date, little communication, scrappage confusion, indifferent attitude, eventually deliverd 2 months late without any apology. Complained twice, no response to points raised. Tried vwcustomer care, nice peopel but no leverage. Steer clear there are much better dealerships.
*unhappy new polo  17-Mar-2010 23:10

 
If you are taking VW to court have all the informaion you need to hand like most large companys they have the courts on its side as they pay fat cat solicitors to defend them and the court system.
Most of us on this page and other pages like What Car etc have all had major problems with VW and why, because we bought a product from them any problems they treat you like dirt and make you think you are the only one belive me they stand in court and will lie lie lie to save face you can not trust VW or any one who works in customer services or its legal side.
What we all need to do is converge on VW head office in Milton Keynes in protest and let them see how ripped off we feel and how many people are taking business to other car makers.

We dont like you VW and we do not trust you....
*lets stick together  15-Mar-2010 15:18

 
Volkswagen Touran dsg g/box.
Compte failure after 26,000 miles,dealership or VW Customer care not interested since car 12 months out of warranty.
Court case pending in May this year.
Any comments appreciated
*bob  15-Mar-2010 13:49

 
I have had nothing but grief with VW Croydon. After a second opinion on my passat I now realise that they charged me for re-doing a repair they did wrong in the first place. I have spent a month so far trying to get refund with no luck. Now likelt to take legal action. How many other similar complaints are there? Customer service worst I've experienced in a very long time. Avoid them like the plague!!
*BJM  15-Mar-2010 10:35

 
Citygate total waste of time both in terms of sales and after sales services. Stay well away from them. I have purchased pre-owned VM Sharan which is only 10 months at the full price without any discount etc and within the 2 days of drivinig noticed a rattling noise and have been trying to speak to the Sales Exec does not return calls or when you get through to him promises to call you back but never does. Very poor services all around...does anybody know what we can do in this situation; any advice on how we can get them to fix the problem would be very much appreciated.
*Grant  12-Mar-2010 14:39

 
Has anyone out there bought the new 1.6 diesel polo? We think there is something wrong with ours as when we change into a lower gear (2nd or 3rd usually) instead of slowing down or even maintaining speed, the engine speeds up. This was particulary bad during the icy weather as the car seemed to have a life of its own. Have taken it back to the garage and they keep telling me it's the way the engines are geared, but I'm sure that no reputable car maker would design a car to go faster when you're trying to slow down!! The garage still have it as I have refused to drive it at the moment as I think it's unsafe, but we don't seem to be getting anywhere. Is this type of acceleration normal or am I being paranoid?
*Jambo  11-Mar-2010 12:20

 
This comments is for all the VW people who check this site.

Come on grow up admit when your cars have problems and be honest with your old and newer customers as you can see from this site you are having VW customers leave after the way you treat people.
*des wanks  10-Mar-2010 10:58

 
message to vw owner pie passat-- my son bought 2006 2.0l tdi --first repair c/belt and 2 months later fuel injectors.I spoke to some friends in motorsport business and this was the answer '' yes this seems to be a common problem.As soon as these injectors get a little water they go for a loop.now we all know condensation in tank= water.When refueling possible water so water lays at the bottom--next when fuel is low water can damage injectors.i have found this on numerous german products vw andMAN trucks ie fuel problems.time to change your brand.i drive a '92 fiat uno turbo I have 312000km on the clock and the original injectors.yes fix it again tony-poudly
*shaun  05-Mar-2010 11:11

 
I took my car today to have radio fixed. when I returned to pick it up, it had over 50miles on the trip. when I complained that my car was misused, I was called a lier. I use my car everyday and I reset the trip every morning. its not the miles the car did but the principle that such a trusted brand still have some irresponsible individuals who abuse customer's car, when I chose VW I was expecting better services.
*toby  04-Mar-2010 18:01

 
The engine in my wife's VW Golf Tdi has just broken off the mounting brackets. Its 3.5 yrs old and 40,000 miles. £3675 to repair and no help from VW, despite it clearly being a manufacturing fault. STEER CLEAR, VW are abusing their reputation and building cars that last less than 4 years!
*HSB  03-Mar-2010 13:34

 
My wife and I had been VW customers for 9 years 2 top of the range golfs then I purchased a R32 the car was a heap loads of problems I rejected the car as not fit for purpose VW and Des Winks refused to accept the rejection so we went to court.
Just for the record VW and Des Winks my wife and I now drive top of the range mini and BMW also my business needs 12 new vans and I will not be looking at VW how much business have you just lost.
*des wanks  03-Mar-2010 10:11


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