Am I being stitched up?

[Dave n Desi]

Hi

We own a 2010 Cali and have done since 2015.
In its entire lifetime there have been no reported issues with the electrics or hydraulics on the elevating roof.
About 2 months ago the control panel started to beep at us saying Roof Open etc - and we noticed that the buttons on the control panel were becoming worn and thin.
We took the van to Hatfield VW Centre, who sat on it for approx. 3 weeks, before informing us that the electrics which drive the roof motor had failed and that we needed it recabling etc. £2.5k later we drove the van away.
On only our second trip away, when preparing to leave, the roof jammed half way open. Electrics seemed fine and motor was trying to kick in, but no joy.
We managed to manually close the roof using the hidden screw behind the control panel, but, slightly miffed, returned the van to Hatfield VW Centre, assuming something was not quite right following their original repair a few weeks beforehand.
Today they have called and said that now the hydraulics have failed, and that they are "weeping" heavily. It's gonna cost us another £2.5k to fix this apparently brand new and totally unrelated fault.
I feel very much like this is a stitch-up but was wondering if anybody else had anything similar to report either about their Cali roof or about Hatfield VW centre in general?
Thanks!

 

[andyinluton]

I couldn't possibly comment on VW Hatfield. They are our closest dealer & would not use them.

It sound wrong that a hydraulic leak would jam the roof halfway while shutting it. I would expect a leak to stop it going up, or cause it to sag whilst up.

Have you tried putting it up again?

If you need a new pump, you may be in for a wait, they are currently unavailable via VW & are on back order.

 

[westfalia]

The first problem sounds like the roof sensors needed replacing
although there is a cheaper way of doing it Vw would just want to fit
a full electric roof loom. But 2.5k

And now another 2.5k....
You may not be being stitched up, as Vw service have their price.

Although the service manager should have some sympathy with you
but I doubt it.
You would get the problem fixed a lot cheaper with an independent garage.
i.e. -

https://kernowcamperconversions.co.uk

 

[Ozzy Pete]

So in total £5k for a roof repair? Yes you are being stitched up. Like the previous person says an independent would be much cheaper but it’s a bit late now as you have spent £2500 for absolutely nothing.
Taking the van to VW you expect to have it diagnosed and repaired the first time after all they a supposedly “supposed” to be the experts.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

In 2015 when we went to Sinclairs Cardiff VW van centre to buy our new van the sales team there knew absolutely nothing about the California. All the questions I asked they had to go away and then come back with an answer. There was a tiny crease in the van roof obviously by one of the sales staff closing the roof with the doors and windows closed. They told me it couldn’t be repaired because the roof was made of fibreglass, when I told them they were wrong and the roof was actually Aluminium and could easily have the tiny dent knocked out one of the sales team said he would bet me his house that the roof was not aluminium and was in fact fibreglass. After 5 minutes he came back to me with a very red face and had to admit he was wrong. Oh and he didn’t sign his house over to me.
And the dent came out perfectly and I negotiated a free bike rack for my trouble.

So please don’t think that because they are Volkswagen they actually know about Californias. They are a Van centre an 99% of their sales are work VANS not Californias.

 

[Dave n Desi]

I couldn't possibly comment on VW Hatfield. They are our closest dealer & would not use them.

It sound wrong that a hydraulic leak would jam the roof halfway while shutting it. I would expect a leak to stop it going up, or cause it to sag whilst up.

Have you tried putting it up again?

If you need a new pump, you may be in for a wait, they are currently unavailable via VW & are on back order.

Thanks Andy - is there a local independent you could recommend instead?

 

[Dave n Desi]

In 2015 when we went to Sinclairs Cardiff VW van centre to buy our new van the sales team there knew absolutely nothing about the California. All the questions I asked they had to go away and then come back with an answer. There was a tiny crease in the van roof obviously by one of the sales staff closing the roof with the doors and windows closed. They told me it couldn’t be repaired because the roof was made of fibreglass, when I told them they were wrong and the roof was actually Aluminium and could easily have the tiny dent knocked out one of the sales team said he would bet me his house that the roof was not aluminium and was in fact fibreglass. After 5 minutes he came back to me with a very red face and had to admit he was wrong. Oh and he didn’t sign his house over to me.
And the dent came out perfectly and I negotiated a free bike rack for my trouble.

So please don’t think that because they are Volkswagen they actually know about Californias. They are a Van centre an 99% of their sales are work VANS not Californias.

Thanks for this. Part of the delay was whilst we were waiting for the Cali "specialist" to come back from a training course LOL. Apparently the first time after the initial repair he carried out a full diagnostic on the van and said the hydraulics "were not an issue", and then suddenly within about 6 weeks they have failed after ten and a half years of working perfectly. The problem for us is that neither of us are mechanically minded so we have to rely on trusting the "experts". Regardless, we will now be taking the van elsewhere just out of principle. Can you recommend a decent independent anywhere around the M25 area?

 

[andyinluton]

Where about are you? there are very few independents that I know of.
Ive found Alan Day in Hampstead to be very helpful, their city branch before its recent closure used to maintain the fleet of California campers for a certain hire company that we are not allowed to mention on here. So although not being a Cali seller are competent to work on them.

Kernow campers in Cornwall is the best independent that I know of, he breaks them for parts & also does conversions putting California parts into transporters. So a source of second hand parts as well as knowing how it all fits together.

 

[soulstyledevon]

As others have said.
Kernow Campers probably worth contacting, although I have no idea wether they take on Cali roof repairs…?

To be honest, it’s a major gap in the market.
If you find anyone, please report back.

Otherwise, how about a car cabriolet specialist?

 

[Cali Phillip]

As others have said.
Kernow Campers probably worth contacting, although I have no idea wether they take on Cali roof repairs…?

To be honest, it’s a major gap in the market.
If you find anyone, please report back.

Otherwise, how about a car cabriolet specialist?

or maybe a local hydraulic specialist, to them a simple system.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I really honestly feel for you. You think you are doing the right thing by taking it to Volkswagen and you end up in a worse mess.
The thing is if you are not mechanically minded then you have no option but to go to a “Professional”. Unfortunately all so called professionals are not. Even coming back from a 2 week coarse on how to repair the VW California.
The only option is to do lots of googling I’m sure there are some extremely competent independent repairers near you.

 

[Dave n Desi]

Where about are you? there are very few independents that I know of.
Ive found Alan Day in Hampstead to be very helpful, their city branch before its recent closure used to maintain the fleet of California campers for a certain hire company that we are not allowed to mention on here. So although not being a Cali seller are competent to work on them.

Kernow campers in Cornwall is the best independent that I know of, he breaks them for parts & also does conversions putting California parts into transporters. So a source of second hand parts as well as knowing how it all fits together.

We're in N12 London, Cornwall just a stretch too far TBH. We're due to go on a round trip to North Wales-Devon-Home next weekend as well...

 

[Elmo3]

Not a good situation at all. I’d look for a hydraulics specialist, maybe someone who maintains diggers etc. It underscores my view to only use VW whilst under warranty. They are computer driven fitters, not mechanics.

 

[SusiBus]

Hi

We own a 2010 Cali and have done since 2015.
In its entire lifetime there have been no reported issues with the electrics or hydraulics on the elevating roof.
About 2 months ago the control panel started to beep at us saying Roof Open etc - and we noticed that the buttons on the control panel were becoming worn and thin.
We took the van to Hatfield VW Centre, who sat on it for approx. 3 weeks, before informing us that the electrics which drive the roof motor had failed and that we needed it recabling etc. £2.5k later we drove the van away.
On only our second trip away, when preparing to leave, the roof jammed half way open. Electrics seemed fine and motor was trying to kick in, but no joy.
We managed to manually close the roof using the hidden screw behind the control panel, but, slightly miffed, returned the van to Hatfield VW Centre, assuming something was not quite right following their original repair a few weeks beforehand.
Today they have called and said that now the hydraulics have failed, and that they are "weeping" heavily. It's gonna cost us another £2.5k to fix this apparently brand new and totally unrelated fault.
I feel very much like this is a stitch-up but was wondering if anybody else had anything similar to report either about their Cali roof or about Hatfield VW centre in general?
Thanks!

We've had a T5.1, T6, T6.1 consequently we have had a fair bit to do with various van centres. Up to the point of you asking the question about the Hatfield Van Centre I've avoided putting any negative posts about dealers on the forum. But you've asked the question! I've found that Hatfield VC, our nearest agent were appalling. Diagnosing things, like needing a new diff on a 4motion, when in fact it wasn't required. Floundering with trying to sort out the sat nav system. Sorting electric door problems, they were just hopeless.

This was back in 2013/14. I believe that they've changed hands and staff since then. It sounds like the expression that leopards don't change their spots may be applicable in this occasion.
Last time we had some work done I rented holiday accommodation in Bournemouth drove down, left my vehicle with Breeze VC , Poole. They ferried us to our holiday accommodation in Bournemouth , then back when the vehicle was repaired. A most agreeable experience.

 

[Dave n Desi]

Thanks everyone -- we have collected our van from Hatfield. Can anybody recommend any roof repair specialist, independent or otherwise, within a 2 hour drive of London N12?

 

[cathylw]

We're in N12 London, Cornwall just a stretch too far TBH. We're due to go on a round trip to North Wales-Devon-Home next weekend as well...

Oh hello neighbour! We are in N3 and also own a 2010 Cali
We have only ever needed servicing so can’t help with this, we have used the Citygate vw service centre in Colindale no problems but also nothing too challenging

 

[Dave n Desi]

Oh hello neighbour! We are in N3 and also own a 2010 Cali
We have only ever needed servicing so can’t help with this, we have used the Citygate vw service centre in Colindale no problems but also nothing too challenging

Thanks - we might give them a call

 

[Azteccamper]

Thanks everyone -- we have collected our van from Hatfield. Can anybody recommend any roof repair specialist, independent or otherwise, within a 2 hour drive of London N12?

Hi. I recently had issues with the my roof (sensors) but could not find any independent garages or converters, auto-electricians who were even interested in taking it on. Had to use VW - at a cost!

 

[andyinluton]

Thanks - we might give them a call

You will probably find its a couple of weeks before they can look at your van. I've had trouble getting mine booked in anywhere.

 

[Ian Brown]

Where about are you? there are very few independents that I know of.
Ive found Alan Day in Hampstead to be very helpful, their city branch before its recent closure used to maintain the fleet of California campers for a certain hire company that we are not allowed to mention on here. So although not being a Cali seller are competent to work on them.

Kernow campers in Cornwall is the best independent that I know of, he breaks them for parts & also does conversions putting California parts into transporters. So a source of second hand parts as well as knowing how it all fits together.

Hi Andy, are you able to provide details about Kernow Campers please? There is the Campervan rental company in Truro and a Vw camper conversion company in Redruth. Please can you confirm which one you mean? Thanks

 

[WelshGas]

Hi Andy, are you able to provide details about Kernow Campers please? There is the Campervan rental company in Truro and a Vw camper conversion company in Redruth. Please can you confirm which one you mean? Thanks

The company is in fact called Kernow Transporters.

Volkswagen California T5/T6 – Kernow Transporters

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

 

[icic]

Anther one for kernowtransporters, here’s a different link related to the California, when I spoke to them 6 months ago he seemed open to repairs, and seemed to know his stuff

Volkswagen California T5/T6 – Kernow Transporters

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

 

[andyinluton]

Sorry I got the name wrong it’s Kernow Transporters.

Kernowtransporters.co.uk

Sorry I don’t have any more info.

Just seen others have pointed out the correct info.

 

[Anthony1]

Hi

We own a 2010 Cali and have done since 2015.
In its entire lifetime there have been no reported issues with the electrics or hydraulics on the elevating roof.
About 2 months ago the control panel started to beep at us saying Roof Open etc - and we noticed that the buttons on the control panel were becoming worn and thin.
We took the van to Hatfield VW Centre, who sat on it for approx. 3 weeks, before informing us that the electrics which drive the roof motor had failed and that we needed it recabling etc. £2.5k later we drove the van away.
On only our second trip away, when preparing to leave, the roof jammed half way open. Electrics seemed fine and motor was trying to kick in, but no joy.
We managed to manually close the roof using the hidden screw behind the control panel, but, slightly miffed, returned the van to Hatfield VW Centre, assuming something was not quite right following their original repair a few weeks beforehand.
Today they have called and said that now the hydraulics have failed, and that they are "weeping" heavily. It's gonna cost us another £2.5k to fix this apparently brand new and totally unrelated fault.
I feel very much like this is a stitch-up but was wondering if anybody else had anything similar to report either about their Cali roof or about Hatfield VW centre in general?
Thanks!

I would be 'weeping heavily' to at those prices too.

 

[dartmoordingoe]

I know it is not any help but for anyone considering a Cali …. One of the main reasons we went for a Coast was the manual roof. Whilst it is a little tricky to start with there are just too many terrible stories like this here and elsewhere. We compromised and had the option so you can open the front of the roof completely …. But it is a reason for some of us to choose a Coast.
Good luck though … and as on the Cornish border knowing the Kernow connection is very useful.Thank you. I only say this really fothose considering which way to go!