Confidence in VW Dealers

[Tom]

I’ve lost all confidence dealers in Northern Ireland, however with VW it could apply nationwide. My 2008 California has 70,000 miles on the clock and always serviced by the local VW dealer. In2008 I bought the van in Wrexham from a VW commercial center when living on the IOM. Great service there and on the IOM.

2010 moved to Northern Ireland and naturally expected the same high quality service. Not so. Over the past 12 years our California has been serviced by the ‘approved’ VW dealer to maintain history and value for the vehicle. I needed a new leisure battery in 2021 and naturally called my NI dealer. Left the Van in in the morning and in late afternoon got a call to ask me where the leisure battery was located! I told them where it was and was later informed the California was ready for collection. Having got home I looked in the boot and saw the door of the battery box was broken. The battery door can be opened by a 50p piece but they had used a small screwdriver with force and broken the door fitting. It was fixed but left a bad taste in my mouth.

Next offering: in November 21 I was conscious that power was being lost when accelerating. Called the dealer and was told it would be the turbo due to the age of the vehicle. Possible cost £1800!!!. A friend who has classic cars told me to go to a local old school motor engineer and I did. To make a long story short, it was a leak in the intercooler and cost a fraction of the official VW cost. He serviced my vehicle and I was shocked to see that many filters in the air con and engine areas had not been changed over the past 8 years. Again shocking but I had been changed for every service. How blind we are?

End result is I’m not allowing the local ‘approved VW agent’ to get near my California. They are too busy also being an approved agent for all the French and other European manufacturers.Jacks of all trades and master of none!

Our California is now fab despite official VW stamped and as an old fart looking at 70 I’m going to keep our girl until she sees me out. They will not see her again. France this year is on the cards. Love life and live it but don’t be taken for a blind sucker as I was by trusting in dealer service promise.
Tom

 

[2into1]

I think beyond 4 or 5 years old, you are way better with a good independent, but sorting the wheat from the chaff of those isn't easy either. I've been watching diagnostic videos on YouTube tonight (an American guy) and its such a skill and mind set to be able to fault find with the required enquiring mind.
VW on the other hand just keep replacing parts at your expense until the problem goes away.

 

[WelshGas]

No different to many Manufacturer Dealerships, especially if you have a niche vehicle, and it will only get worse as the old-time mechanics fade away as they cannot get the training, diagnostic equipment or parts as we move forward into the EV age.

 

[Wildcamper]

I think beyond 4 or 5 years old, you are way better with a good independent, but sorting the wheat from the chaff of those isn't easy either. I've been watching diagnostic videos on YouTube tonight (an American guy) and its such a skill and mind set to be able to fault find with the required enquiring mind.
VW on the other hand just keep replacing parts at your expense until the problem goes away.

I remember on one occasion selective part replacement was the only way I could fix a problem on a 1975 Mini. On a long journey after about 70 miles the engine would cut out, and not restart. After about 20 mins it would start again and then be ok for the rest of the journey. I reckoned it was an ignition problem. Eventually replaces the ignition coil the problem vanished.

 

[paradise city]

I’ve lost all confidence dealers in Northern Ireland, however with VW it could apply nationwide. My 2008 California has 70,000 miles on the clock and always serviced by the local VW dealer. In2008 I bought the van in Wrexham from a VW commercial center when living on the IOM. Great service there and on the IOM.

2010 moved to Northern Ireland and naturally expected the same high quality service. Not so. Over the past 12 years our California has been serviced by the ‘approved’ VW dealer to maintain history and value for the vehicle. I needed a new leisure battery in 2021 and naturally called my NI dealer. Left the Van in in the morning and in late afternoon got a call to ask me where the leisure battery was located! I told them where it was and was later informed the California was ready for collection. Having got home I looked in the boot and saw the door of the battery box was broken. The battery door can be opened by a 50p piece but they had used a small screwdriver with force and broken the door fitting. It was fixed but left a bad taste in my mouth.

Next offering: in November 21 I was conscious that power was being lost when accelerating. Called the dealer and was told it would be the turbo due to the age of the vehicle. Possible cost £1800!!!. A friend who has classic cars told me to go to a local old school motor engineer and I did. To make a long story short, it was a leak in the intercooler and cost a fraction of the official VW cost. He serviced my vehicle and I was shocked to see that many filters in the air con and engine areas had not been changed over the past 8 years. Again shocking but I had been changed for every service. How blind we are?

End result is I’m not allowing the local ‘approved VW agent’ to get near my California. They are too busy also being an approved agent for all the French and other European manufacturers.Jacks of all trades and master of none!

Our California is now fab despite official VW stamped and as an old fart looking at 70 I’m going to keep our girl until she sees me out. They will not see her again. France this year is on the cards. Love life and live it but don’t be taken for a blind sucker as I was by trusting in dealer service promise.
Tom

As a fellow NI Cali owner that is grim reading! I'll stick with main dealer while my van is under warranty then find a good independent garage/do it myself.

I found not having an official stamp on the service book was a sticking point when trying to sell a previous vehicle (not a California) so am a bit wary.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I think beyond 4 or 5 years old, you are way better with a good independent, but sorting the wheat from the chaff of those isn't easy either. I've been watching diagnostic videos on YouTube tonight (an American guy) and its such a skill and mind set to be able to fault find with the required enquiring mind.
VW on the other hand just keep replacing parts at your expense until the problem goes away.

Agree with the above.
The only thing I would add is it’s good to divide the mechanical issues of the base Transporter from the camping bits.

I have a great VW specialist who looks after the van part. I’ve been using him for 9 years. Garages are all reviewed on Google these days so easy to find a good one I hope. I have also bought a basic VW OBD reader
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZJ3V5J3/?tag=eliteelect-21
If a warning light comes on its helpful in giving you an idea what’s at fault. Whatever error code it puts out, I type it into Google and you find pages and pages on forums describing what’s the fault and how to fix it. Can save time in talking to a garage.

The camping stuff, like the roof electrics and water pump/tap and fridge, I’ve started to realise it’s a good idea to work out how to fix them yourself. I’m 51 and no mechanic, I wouldn’t go near the actual engine, but with the help of this forum I’ve fixed a few things myself.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

The mechanics of the California are basic Transporter. It’s not a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Bugatti. If it’s serviced properly regardless wether it’s done by VW or your good reliable local garage or even yourself there’s nothing to worry about. People worry that if it’s not serviced by a VW Dealership the vehicle will be worthless and inevitably going to blow into tiny bits. From what I’ve read on this forum it’s more likely to happen by taking it to VW but you pay handsomely for the privilege.

 

[Tompoole]

Not surprised at all , my vas 4 years old and I use independent, the main dealer was unable to fix anything so stoped using them , I’m sre there are good main dealers but in my experience they can’t solve and fix problems.

 

[Gina-B]

How about folks here who have had really good service from a main VW dealership give out the names of those dealers. I for one would be prepared to travel a reasonable distance to get to a good one.

 

[Gina-B]

Also be good to know what it was that they fixed.

 

[ArunAlec]

How about folks here who have had really good service from a main VW dealership give out the names of those dealers. I for one would be prepared to travel a reasonable distance to get to a good one.

There is already a “dealer review” section on the forum where recommendations can be posted.

 

[Meoncoast]

How about folks here who have had really good service from a main VW dealership give out the names of those dealers. I for one would be prepared to travel a reasonable distance to get to a good one.

I always had 1st class service from Breeze at Totton and can not fault them. I have used them since 2012. If I moved away or as the van gets older I would use a local independent but for those California, bits I can not fix I would travel. @Gina-B Exeter to Breeze at Bournemouth is not far Totton a bit further. Have a night in the New Forest. Van in for the day borrow a service vehicle have a down out.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I love my local independent.
£60 an hour labour, knows how to fault find and doesn’t throw parts at a problem.
He’s not a VAG specialist, but does drive a T5.1 himself and knows the vehicle.
Never had to fault his work so far. Recently serviced for a trip to Europe. £130.
Sounds fair enough to me…

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Always easier to sell on with a FVWSH, especially given the current value of used vans. Indy with good reputation is great, but won’t mean that much to a non mechanically minded buyer coming from outside of your area.

Indy v Main Dealers - work will be exactly the same, main dealer will use VAG parts+2yr warranty on the work. Indy will use whatever brand parts you tell him to use and will price the job accordingly.

Camping side of things - Avoid VW unless the van is still under warranty. if you can’t Fix it yourself then find a decent local company that services motor homes etc as they will have good experience.

 

[Jim2007]

After the local VW dealer tried to sell me a timing belt change at 17000 miles and 18 months old, I have been independent (in Chesterfield, knows the mechanicals in depth - fully recommend - https://www.chesterfieldvwnorth.co.uk/ - even has a very rare 1970’s California of his own in the garage) or Camper Centrum Nederland - again fully recommend. If I had problems with the habitation that I could not solve, I would try to muddle through until coincident with one of our fairly frequent trips to and through NL. They know every aspect of a California soup to nuts and in my experience are cheaper than UK dealers.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I love my local independent.
£60 an hour labour, knows how to fault find and doesn’t throw parts at a problem.
He’s not a VAG specialist, but does drive a T5.1 himself and knows the vehicle.
Never had to fault his work so far. Recently serviced for a trip to Europe. £130.
Sounds fair enough to me…

Most VW service parts are normally the ones they can get the best price on. The oil as long as it’s the correct spec it will be right. Why is it the they think VW customers in the UK must change their cambelt and waterpump at 4 years or 60k miles but in Mainland Europe it’s 10 years or 220k KLM’s. UK Vw customers are just cash cows and they know it.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Most VW service parts are normally the ones they can get the best price on. The oil as long as it’s the correct spec it will be right. Why is it the they think VW customers in the UK must change their cambelt and waterpump at 4 years or 60k miles but in Mainland Europe it’s 10 years or 220k KLM’s. UK Vw customers are just cash cows and they know it.

Some may wince…
But last year, my van at 4 years and 35k miles. I took the decision to hold off on the cambelt.
The van is approaching 5 years old and 45k miles. I’m happy to wait until its 6 years old and £55k ish.

I’ve serviced the van every year and before a big Euro trip I have the oil changed.
Tyres, brakes and auxiliaries have been changed when required. So far so good…

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Some may wince…
But last year, my van at 4 years and 35k miles. I took the decision to hold off on the cambelt.
The van is approaching 5 years old and 45k miles. I’m happy to wait until its 6 years old and £55k ish.

I’ve serviced the van every year and before a big Euro trip I have the oil changed.
Tyres, brakes and auxiliaries have been changed when required. So far so good…

I had my cambelt and waterpump changed at 4 years and 19k miles. Asked the garage to keep ALL the parts so I could inspect them for wear. Everything was like new. No wear on both belts. Nothing on the waterpump or idler bearings. Considering I’ve only done 5k miles in the past 3 years I won’t be getting caught next year for yet another uncalled for replacement.

 

[SusiBus]

I love my local independent.
£60 an hour labour, knows how to fault find and doesn’t throw parts at a problem.
He’s not a VAG specialist, but does drive a T5.1 himself and knows the vehicle.
Never had to fault his work so far. Recently serviced for a trip to Europe. £130.
Sounds fair enough to me…

How about naming him. I'm sure he won't be object to a bit free advertising, and could be helpful to fellow Cali owners.

 

[Gina-B]

I always had 1st class service from Breeze at Totton and can not fault them. I have used them since 2012. If I moved away or as the van gets older I would use a local independent but for those California, bits I can not fix I would travel. @Gina-B Exeter to Breeze at Bournemouth is not far Totton a bit further. Have a night in the New Forest. Van in for the day borrow a service vehicle have a down out.

Thanks Meoncoast. We got our van from Breeze in Poole. Highly recommend too!

 

[Gina-B]

There is already a “dealer review” section on the forum where recommendations can be posted.

Thanks ArunAlec.