Good & Bad VW Dealers - We need your feedback!

[bernie]

Yes, Justin was excellent, he said he has been there 12 years and he certianly knows the California inside and out

Listers Coventry just off junction 3 on the M6 know their stuff. I've been driving from Bham to there for years. The ones in Bham are suspect. I would recommend them

 

[Busdarren]

I tend not to use the franchise as my Cali is 2012... however previous bad attitude and poor service from Snows Plymouth (I do hear they are losing their franchise?) Carrs Exeter not really interested. As per normal smaller more personable garages are better - when we bought our new to is Cali Beach, Dorchester Heritage were fab

 

[Karlos]

Always had good service from Liverpool.

 

[Aidy P]

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.

I bought from Mark too. Great guy. All problems resolved quickly

 

[ger]

I tend not to use the franchise as my Cali is 2012... however previous bad attitude and poor service from Snows Plymouth (I do hear they are losing their franchise?) Carrs Exeter not really interested. As per normal smaller more personable garages are better - when we bought our new to is Cali Beach, Dorchester Heritage were fab

Agreed, Snows in Plymouth are absolutely useless and are happy to peddle all kinds of misleading info. I'm not surprised if they're losing the franchise, they're poor even by VW's often low standard. Carrs are marginally better, but it's relative!

 

[Wongo]

Bedales Dartford good for service and replaced a Tap micro no issues,
Paul for sales, others not so Cali aware.

 

[Beeechke1]

Another vote for SMG Tonbridge.
The Service manager Mathew Wollen and his team to a good job. So far two MOT visits, one service including new disks and pads, one visits for new screen washer pump and passenger seat air bag light, a return visit six months later for same air bag problem with under seat wiring loom problem fixed free of charge.
And they always smile as I hand over my credit card

 

[Lambeth Cali]

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.

Is there a reason this had stopped working?
I was hoping to search for a good dealer.
Just says “Ooops we’ve run into some problems…”

 

[Seamelody]

Same issues accessing the site, wanted to check out Carrs Exeter - had some mediocre service then Harry from the sales team got involved, completely different, helpful, engaged complete turnaround, happy so far !


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[bernie]

Listers of Coventry just off the M6 at junction 3 know the Cali well. They have been great with me over the years, diagnosing and fixing some unusual issues. Like all VW dealers, it's not cheap but they are thorough and well informed. I drive there from Birmingham because it's worth it. I see quite a few other calis there nowadays

 

[WelshGas]

Is there a reason this had stopped working?
I was hoping to search for a good dealer.
Just says “Ooops we’ve run into some problems…”

Try here.

Dealer Reviews

Let us know how your VW Dealer looked after you

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Try here.

Dealer Reviews

Let us know how your VW Dealer looked after you

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Thanks but not a lot there. Amazing the amount of “great service explaining the extras”. You would hope so selling a £70k product, but zero help when looking for a service department that would know what a California is.
I will just carry on hoping nothing breaks and keep learning how to fix stuff myself. Roof sensors, drinking water pump and DPF sensor failure in 12 years of ownership is pretty good.

 

[Fast Freddie]

I have been happy with Citygate at Woburn Green Buckinghamshire.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Thanks but not a lot there. Amazing the amount of “great service explaining the extras”. You would hope so selling a £70k product, but zero help when looking for a service department that would know what a California is.
I will just carry on hoping nothing breaks and keep learning how to fix stuff myself. Roof sensors, drinking water pump and DPF sensor failure in 12 years of ownership is pretty good.

I’d say if that’s all the problems you’ve had in 12 years you have got away with it very lightly. If you fix it yourself then you save mega £££££. But if you have to take it to a dealer then that’s a different story..Any work done by VW is never cheap even the simple stuff. At £120 an hour at VW, a Haynes manual is worth having and giving it a try. And with YouTube you can repair almost everything.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I’d say if that’s all the problems you’ve had in 12 years you have got away with it very lightly. If you fix it yourself then you save mega £££££. But if you have to take it to a dealer then that’s a different story..Any work done by VW is never cheap even the simple stuff. At £120 an hour at VW, a Haynes manual is worth having and giving it a try. And with YouTube you can repair almost everything.

T5 2.5 174 Auto. I’m just starting to realise the engine will outlast me. Galvanised body.
All the mechanicals serviced by a great specialist I’ve used for 9 years. No belts to change and a sealed for life gearbox. I suspect we’ll stay together for another 12 years. Eventually T5s will get cool, like T4s!!?!

 

[KernowMaid]

I have been happy with Citygate at Woburn Green Buckinghamshire.

Thank you. I have just booked mine into here after being disappointed with a lack of response from the dealership I spent nearly £70k with.

 

[Wongo]

SMG at Cowfold, mght be within range.

Just had a big (DSG, Haldex, Belt, Water Pump etc) service done there, Jason & the guys very professional & helpful, explained Cali Club discount no longer possible as VW have really tightened the fixed prices. Lift back to station and pick up next day.
Good garage.

 

[Phillip T]

Thank you. I have just booked mine into here after being disappointed with a lack of response from the dealership I spent nearly £70k with.

I found it very hard to get i touch by with the guy who sold the Cali relating to an issue when sold. The best way was to visit the dealer some 130miles away when passing ! Got much better service after spending £10k on a new Skoda. I now have another VW Commercial dealer who seems much more responsive and helpful.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Just had a big (DSG, Haldex, Belt, Water Pump etc) service done there, Jason & the guys very professional & helpful, explained Cali Club discount no longer possible as VW have really tightened the fixed prices. Lift back to station and pick up next day.
Good garage.

It’s a shame my SMG in Croydon is so hopeless.

 

[Wongo]

It’s a shame my SMG in Croydon is so hopeless.

I live in Gipsy Hill, I don't mind the drive for good service

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I live in Gipsy Hill, I don't mind the drive for good service

Drive to Tonbridge?
Newish van? Anything they’ve fixed camping wise which gave the impression they new what they were doing?

 

[Wongo]

No I drive to Cowfold.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

No I drive to Cowfold.

Wow 39miles!

 

[Wongo]

Piece of mind, nice staff, nice run.

 

[vananarama]

Birmingham van centre, although identical to most, seems to and claims to specialise in Californias. They took the one we bought from them off another dealer “who didn’t know how to sell the California”. Birmingham seemed good, and knew the model, but then, how hard is it to become familiar with a vehicle? How can some not do this?! When I contacted them recently, the email addresses for the sales guy we used and the very good main dude who did a good job of explaining all the bits and bobs before I drove away, both bounced back, which was a bit disconcerting, but anyway, they seemed like a good enough outfit.

Given the demand for recreational VWs for the life of me I don’t understand why all VW commercial showrooms look so boring and sterile (and supposedly professional). They’re so…90s. Why not make them fun, welcoming, and on-brand and in tune with the spirit of adventure and fun that we all buy into when we pay top dollar for a VW van instead of a Bongo or Merc etc.? They really are missing a trick. The showrooms and the sales guys generally speaking are often a hurdle to buying into the brand that you have to overcome rather than a catalyst in helping you make the purchase.


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