Good & Bad VW Dealers - We need your feedback!

[Annik]

Was Clark Commercials Bilston (near Edinburgh) missed deliberately?

According to VW it's a Volkswagen van centre, https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/edinburgh-volkswagen-van-centre.163/

 

[Seán Kerr]

According to VW it's a Volkswagen van centre, https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/edinburgh-volkswagen-van-centre.163/

It is. It also sells and services Californias and employs a California Expert in the service department. I mentioned this and his name in a previous post.

 

[Stuart]

According to VW it's a Volkswagen van centre, https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/edinburgh-volkswagen-van-centre.163/

I think Clark Commercials bought it but it's often still called the Edinburgh Van Centre.

 

[Seán Kerr]

I think Clark Commercials bought it but it's often still called the Edinburgh Van Centre.

Oh I see what you mean. Yes, Clark Commercials originated in Aberdeen and acquired the Bilston business some time ago. I collected my Cali from there three weeks ago.

 

[Seán Kerr]

I think Clark Commercials bought it but it's often still called the Edinburgh Van Centre.

The sign above the door, their business cards and my info pack and invoice all say Clark Commercials so the VW website is out of date.
http://www.john-clark.co.uk/clark-commercials/contact-us/
https://www.facebook.com/clarkcomme...967206209843/1917726841633862/?type=3&theater

 

[Digger]

The Edinburgh Van Centre has been owned by John Clark Commercial for many years if memory serves me right . It is their Edinburgh depot.
Liverpool Van Centre is owned by Swansway Group but still called Liverpool VW Van Centre. The name basically identifies locality.

 

[Bello]

Scharphof campers, Nijverdal, the Netherlands. Very friendly, great service even outside warrantee, very affordable. Not an official vw-dealer perhaps, but know their stuff.

 

[Geesvw]

Liverpool VW centre (Swansway group) are first class. Nothing is too much bother.

I've got an insurance job (dreaded electrical) being done in Liverpool at the moment - I hope they do a good job!!

 

[Digger]

I've got an insurance job (dreaded electrical) being done in Liverpool at the moment - I hope they do a good job!!

Speak to Chris Evans if you have any problems. It helps with any dealer to build up a relationship. He is the man in the videos so easily identified.

 

[Seamelody]

I'd like to recommend VW Preston. Our contact was Steven Marshall, who I initially contacted via phone very early on a Saturday morning back in November. We drove the 340 miles up from Cornwall and Steven ensured he made time to demo the Cali, the whole buying experience was positive and straightforward. On the following Monday we resumed negotiations via phone and email before committing the purchase. Steve always answered my endless questions and provided lots of information, he ensured the extras we required were fitted, personal number plates transferred, windows tinted to our spec and when we drove back up to collect provided a full and comprehensive hand over. Since taking delivery he's remained available and due to a small issue with a torch ! got it resolved over the Christmas period. We're now the very proud owners of Doris, looking forward to many years of enjoyment. Clearly we will not use Preston for servicing ( Hey its a 800 mile round trip ) but would not hesitate in wholeheartedly recommending Steven, the parts department guy ( Apologies cant recall his name ) and everyone at the garage.

 

[JohnGuppy]

Good and bad dealers, This post does not relate to VW California models but is a good indication to what happens with VW dealers
I found myself having to help my daughter and her partner replace there car ( as we all have too) on looking I found 2002 VW Passat 2 owners from new full service history , regular been serviced every year
On inspecting the car I found two faults ABS light comes on often , and central locking not working , according to the owner he had been told the following after paying a vast amount of money

ABS sir its the ABS pump but its still working if you reset it and the door lock sir its down to water getting inside the car both costly to repair these problems had cost the owner around £400 the only part they changed was a "Brake light switch changed ( imported ) ? they are a main dealer

well I bought the car and drove it home and the ABS light did come on a few times and then go out and the central locking everything works except locking and unlocking the car

Apart from that it drove like a new car ,

I took it to a friend who plugged it his lap top and read the codes ( using VW software ) as I slowly looked down the list

Brake light faulty
Drivers door lock No signal !
Air con Pressure switch low pressure ( needs checking and re gassing ) that means

Asked cost of drivers door lock Flea bay cost £25-£40 VW cost £145 ????
Brake light switch flea bay £7.00 VW £9.50
VW switch and lead has 4 wires
cheap switch had 2 wires ( the two missing wires reset the ABS start up

Now the brake light switch was replaced 6 months ago by dealer

Now ask yourself the ABS light would come on and off even with car ticking over in the workshop but the brake lights still worked

I purchased a genuine VW switch nothing like the one that had been fitted took 10 mins problem solved !
Looking at the old switch badly made ( Italy ) looks to me that parts made in china and built in Italy prob a EU fiddle

Asking about the drives door lock dealer quoted 3 hours and £190 + Vat to change

I purchased a genuine VW lock ( looked how to do it on U tube ) completed in 1.2 hours and all working

Good thing was all these problems are now cured and after a rescan only the air con and the kids can do without this until the warmer weather

Myself own a lovely California and a T5 Transporter love the product

The moral of this is make sure you use only genuine parts , don't be tempted with inferior cheaply made parts , if main dealers are now selling these cheaper parts and charging full price beware

car now running well I'm out of pocket for £750 but kids off my back

 

[Lost Boy]

That's why I never go to VW Guildford, they couldn't even tell me the right oil for my Cali!
Cordwallis at Heathrow, they aren't a lifestyle dealer but if its van oriented then they are excellent.

 

[Richard Teale]

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire, gets my vote every time. Ordered our T5 SE just 3 years ago from Mark, really helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. First salesman i have ever met who would simply say, "i know you have ordered that option, but you don't need it". Whenever we have had issues, he's always helped.

He's been so good, just been back in and ordered our T6 Ocean - look forward to next March/April when it should be arriving.

In addition to Mark, there is Steve who is in their service team. Ours, like most has been back for warranty issues, alongside normal services. Cannot fault Steve. Always helpful and fought our corner when had lacquer lifting on one of our alloys - all sorted and replaced - not refurbished.

Cannot fault West Yorkshire Van Centre and have recommended them to many.

Agree. WYVC has undertaken both routine service and repair work on my 2011 SE (sliding door controller and blown rear insulated glass screen). Pricey (but that’s franchised glass palaces for you), but seem to known their stuff - service is friendly with good communications.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ArunAlec]

Just had a very very annoying experience at Lookers, Guildford.
Van booked in weeks ago for five hour slot to have cambelt and water pump changed (recommended at 4 years). Two hour round trip from home so said I would wait.
Turned up at the allotted time, booked in, got a coffee and was talking to a guy waiting for his Skoda when I was summoned to the service desk. Apparently they had jobs which had overrun from yesterday and there were no ramps free and they couldn't do the work today!! WHAT? Why couldn't they have called me yesterday and saved me a trip?? They offered a courtesy car so I could come home and go back tomorrow but I have work commitments and no way do I want one of their guys driving my precious Luis the hour back.
Rubbish rubbish dealer - I have had issues with them before but hoped that they might have improved. Shame because the Cali technician there is really good but their organisation and customer service is absolutely appalling.
Other than the Breeze in Totton can anyone recommend a dealer within 1 1/2 hours of Basingstoke please?

SMG at Cowfold, might be within range.

 

[DaveVancouver]

We are currently building a list of preffered VW Commercial dealers as the most common complaint we get is from people who take their Cali into a dealer and receive bad service or the service department will not be familiar with the VW California.

We already have a few dealers on board but we want to try and build up a nationwide network so all members will have a trusted dealer nearby.

Here is the plan:

- You tell us which dealers are good and which are bad
- The club will contact the dealers that get the best feedback
- We request from them a named point of contact within the service centre
- They have the option to offer a VIP discount of between 5-10% off servicing
- If they fail to offer good service and start to receive bad feedback, they will be removed from the list

The ones we have already spoken to were more than happy to offer the above so we hope the others will follow suit.

All we need now is your feedback please so we can start this database. ( Please remember we only want feedback on servicing and not sales )

We are currently building a list of preffered VW Commercial dealers as the most common complaint we get is from people who take their Cali into a dealer and receive bad service or the service department will not be familiar with the VW California.

We already have a few dealers on board but we want to try and build up a nationwide network so all members will have a trusted dealer nearby.

Here is the plan:

- You tell us which dealers are good and which are bad
- The club will contact the dealers that get the best feedback
- We request from them a named point of contact within the service centre
- They have the option to offer a VIP discount of between 5-10% off servicing
- If they fail to offer good service and start to receive bad feedback, they will be removed from the list

The ones we have already spoken to were more than happy to offer the above so we hope the others will follow suit.

All we need now is your feedback please so we can start this database. ( Please remember we only want feedback on servicing and not sales )

Has a Summary List been compiled yet? Cheers

 

[Alan Andrews]

OK, thank you to everyone who has replied to this post, we have now found a way we can input this information all in one place.

If you CLICK HERE and scroll down to find your dealer and give a start rating followed by a review.
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/resources/categories/vw-commercial-dealer-reviews.12/
You must be logged into the forum to do this.

This link does not work.

All I get is....
Oops! We ran into some problems.
The requested category could not be found.

 

[DebsWhite]

Our Cali came from another Vindis dealer - Northampton. We’ve been very happy with the service all round, and their specialist Mark is good to deal with.

interesting. I've never been happy with the St ives service and am scrolling through this forum to try to find another recommended garage to take mine too as they are always so rude! maybe I'm just getting the wrong members of staff.

 

[jmcneil]

I'd highly recommend Martin Sheffield at Lookers Darnley near Glasgow. I took forever to decide on what I wanted. There was no pushy sales and he was only going to sell me something if he knew I was 100% happy. I must have frustrated the life out of him as I kept changing my mind and viewing numerous California's he got in, he was always super cheerful and super helpful. I hadn't bought a car in 10 years due to being put off by salesmen. Martin has changed my opinion... top bloke and great service from Lookers Darnley

 

[josedebarros]

don't go near Kettering - clueless.

 

[Steve Sampson]

We are currently building a list of preffered VW Commercial dealers as the most common complaint we get is from people who take their Cali into a dealer and receive bad service or the service department will not be familiar with the VW California.

We already have a few dealers on board but we want to try and build up a nationwide network so all members will have a trusted dealer nearby.

Here is the plan:

- You tell us which dealers are good and which are bad
- The club will contact the dealers that get the best feedback
- We request from them a named point of contact within the service centre
- They have the option to offer a VIP discount of between 5-10% off servicing
- If they fail to offer good service and start to receive bad feedback, they will be removed from the list

The ones we have already spoken to were more than happy to offer the above so we hope the others will follow suit.

All we need now is your feedback please so we can start this database. ( Please remember we only want feedback on servicing and not sales )

I have heard of quite a few negative experiences about dealers on the forum. I am really glad my local dealer is the VW Van Centre in Liverpool. Over the last 3 years they have consistently been brilliant, from Sales to Service and Warranty issues. I was back in today for a service, I would definitely recommend them.

 

[BeagleMum]

I have heard of quite a few negative experiences about dealers on the forum. I am really glad my local dealer is the VW Van Centre in Liverpool. Over the last 3 years they have consistently been brilliant, from Sales to Service and Warranty issues. I was back in today for a service, I would definitely recommend them.

We had very poor experience at Liverpool so went elsewhere to buy

 

[bernie]

We are currently building a list of preffered VW Commercial dealers as the most common complaint we get is from people who take their Cali into a dealer and receive bad service or the service department will not be familiar with the VW California.

We already have a few dealers on board but we want to try and build up a nationwide network so all members will have a trusted dealer nearby.

Here is the plan:

- You tell us which dealers are good and which are bad
- The club will contact the dealers that get the best feedback
- We request from them a named point of contact within the service centre
- They have the option to offer a VIP discount of between 5-10% off servicing
- If they fail to offer good service and start to receive bad feedback, they will be removed from the list

The ones we have already spoken to were more than happy to offer the above so we hope the others will follow suit.

All we need now is your feedback please so we can start this database. ( Please remember we only want feedback on servicing and not sales )

Listers of Coventry, just off J3 of the M6 have been good for me for 11 years
Avoid the VW van centre in Newtown, Birmingham

 

[Pinkietee]

For anyone visiting south east Spain I would like to recommend Huertas Motor SL in Cartagena. When my engine management light came on I drove there and they took the van immediately, looked at it ordered the parts and completed the work the following day. I dealt with Fran (short for Francisco) Rapallo Huertas who spoke very good English and kept me informed by email, mostly because I live a busy life and am not always near my phone. The final invoice was very large and I'm still not entirely sure what they have done but I was more than happy to be so well looked after so far from home.

 

[Billywizz]

I don’t think there is actually a good one! I’ve used 5 in total and all I’ve had issues with.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

We are currently building a list of preffered VW Commercial dealers as the most common complaint we get is from people who take their Cali into a dealer and receive bad service or the service department will not be familiar with the VW California.

We already have a few dealers on board but we want to try and build up a nationwide network so all members will have a trusted dealer nearby.

Here is the plan:

- You tell us which dealers are good and which are bad
- The club will contact the dealers that get the best feedback
- We request from them a named point of contact within the service centre
- They have the option to offer a VIP discount of between 5-10% off servicing
- If they fail to offer good service and start to receive bad feedback, they will be removed from the list

The ones we have already spoken to were more than happy to offer the above so we hope the others will follow suit.

All we need now is your feedback please so we can start this database. ( Please remember we only want feedback on servicing and not sales )

Always had excellent service from Robinsons Van Centre at Peterborough, however just before I left for Morocco not having much time I had the van, which has VB air suspension, serviced at Parkway, Kettering as it is the nearest dealer to me..
When I collected the vehicle I noticed a vibration from underneath. When I asked them to check it I was told it was because it had been up on a ramp and would settle down.
It didn't so I took it to the installers in Banham, Norfolk who discovered that it had been jacked up on the compressor cover. They fixed it at a cost of £30 and I subsequently sent Parkway an email requesting the £30 plus £27 for fuel which they ignored.
Now VW "customer service" has become involved and we have exchanged several emails. Watch this space!