Have I been sold a pup...

[Stevecaterham7]

So after the debacle of ordering in February, expecting delivery in July and being told I'd get my van in October/November I ended up securing a 3,000 mile demo T6 DSG Beach.

Took delivery 3 weeks ago and discovered a host of problems. From air con not working, failing parking control, to problems with stop start and loose/missing trim in multiple places.

In the 3 weeks I should have had the van it has spent the last 2 weeks back at VW with them telling me that they couldn't work out why the air con and parking control didn't work. They've now ordered the parts they think they need but can't tell me when they'll be in.

So I guess my 2 key questions are:

1) Given so many issues so early in its life, is this normal for a T6 or have I got a dodgy 'Friday build' one?

2) Should I be expecting some kind of goodwill gesture given that I've been paying for my almost new van for weeks without actually being able to use it (they've given me an ocean, but frankly the layout is a pain for my lifestyle, which is why I ordered a Beach!).

 

[Keith Smith]

Personally I'd be tempted to reject it and order a new one. We had a similar sort of problem car, a 16v Corrado, many years ago. It wasn't the fact it had quite a few problems, that was the problem, but that they seemed incapable of fixing them even when they sent an engineer over from Germany. We let it drag on and on for a year before finally trading it in for another car, VW gave us £3000 but we were well out of pocket. The new car, another Corrado, was perfect.

 

[Tommy Gun]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear that. Very dissapointing
I'm 5-6 weeks in to T6 ownership & absolutely no problems whatsoever, so I would say
these issues are certainly not normal.

Hopefully the ordered parts will remedy the problems. If so, great, but would definitely push them for some form of goodwill gesture for your inconvenience, as you suggested. Perhaps free servicing / dealer fit accessories.You can only try.

If the parts don't solve the problems then you could take things further, as per Keith's suggestion. Shame...
If you can wangle a loan vehicle out of them / keep your existing beach for the duration of your re-order, then that wouldn't be so bad. Would be interesting to see if they let you do that.

Do hope things improve for you & good luck.

 

[X4 VWC]

If you have bought an ex-demo vehicle, it counts as used and you can invoke the dealer's 30-day exchange policy, allowing you to choose a different vehicle. I'm not sure of how that's going to work, given the scarcity of California's, but you do have an option to exchange.

 

[Keith Smith]

If you have bought an ex-demo vehicle, it counts as used and you can invoke the dealer's 30-day exchange policy, allowing you to choose a different vehicle. I'm not sure of how that's going to work, given the scarcity of California's, but you do have an option to exchange.

Am I right in thinking then, that if you buy an ex demonstrator you have fewer rights than if you bought new, even from a main dealer? Makes me more convinced rejecting it is the only safe option.

 

[snowy55]

Ring the CAB, get the number online, they will tell you exactly what your rights are which is dependent on how you purchased the vehicle what type of finance (if any), new, ex demo etc.

It's free so nothing to loose.

No point in relying on "armchair solicitors" no matter their best intentions.

 

[X4 VWC]

I think 'armchair solicitors' is a bit harsh, there's a lot of expertise here and you don't have to be a solicitor to know a thing or two. All ex-demo vehicles are sold under the used vehicle programme and allow 'no quibble' 30 days to exchange for a vehicle of similar or greater value. Obviously, there are some challenges here with the availability of California's but I would ask your dealer about this.

 

[Meoncoast]

What a shame and what a poor start, I would rather reject on the 30 day policy than accept any goodwill offer (my view/feelings) I would also question how on the ball your dealer is with California's.

ps have you tired to rotate the front seats?

 

[Geezso]

Not normal, you are very lucky you have an ocean and not a panel van. Sounds like vw are looking after you.
Any goodwill will be at their discretion but they sound to have went beyond expectation already.

 

[Geezso]

I think 'armchair solicitors' is a bit harsh, there's a lot of expertise here and you don't have to be a solicitor to know a thing or two. All ex-demo vehicles are sold under the used vehicle programme and allow 'no quibble' 30 days to exchange for a vehicle of similar or greater value. Obviously, there are some challenges here with the availability of California's but I would ask your dealer about this.

If a vehicle qualifies for das welt it can be exchanged if its not suitable or has an issue inherent before purchase. However due to order times and a ocean being unsuitable, it would make no odds to claim it, as there is no like for like available.
**** As long as the vehicle is returned in the same condition as when collected, the vehicle has not covered more than 1,000 miles from purchase and the customer pays any additional balance. Vehicles under 3 years old must be returned within 30 days of purchase. Vehicles over 3 years old must be returned within 7 days of purchase. This does not affect consumers’ statutory rights.

 

[Geezso]

Am I right in thinking then, that if you buy an ex demonstrator you have fewer rights than if you bought new, even from a main dealer? Makes me more convinced rejecting it is the only safe option.

Consumer rights cover new and used with no distinction on level of cover

 

[westfalia]

I think i would try and reject it, don´t know ho complicated it is to do but seeing as the deal was recent you should have a good chance.
If you don´t try it maybe you´ll regret it 6 months down the line.
Or do a deal with the dealer.
Each time it comes in with faults, you get a cali to use.

 

[Geezso]

If its within 30 days you need to have proof the faults were already there. 30 days to 6 months the garage needs to prove it then after 6 months its you again.

 

[Stoneybroke]

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/
Is a step-by-step guide.

In a nutshell, since the Consumer Rights Act 2015, even with a second-hand car you have 30-days to return goods that are faulty, and claim a full refund (from a trader) if the car is Faulty - that means (for the Act) that the car is not:

• ‘of satisfactory quality’ - it should do what you’d expect for its age, price and type
• ‘fit for purpose’ - eg if you asked for a car that would pull a caravan, it has to be able to do that
• ‘as described’ - it has to match the advert or the description the trader gave you

From what you have said the ex-demo Beach is not of satisfactory quality, with a number of significant faults, so you should be able to get a full refund. You have longer if you only want a repair - but if you opt for a repair and the trader takes too long or doesn't get it sorted, you should still be entitled to a refund.

So the VW scheme falls short of your statutory rights...

I'm not an armchair lawyer, but I am a Citizens Advice volunteer!

 

[Geezso]

That's what I said, but its up to consumer to prove the faults, in this case they are evident. But what I said is accurate.

 

[Stevecaterham7]

Thanks for the replies all. I put over 1,000 miles on it in the brief time I had it, and really liked it.

Given the long waiting list I'm not sure rejecting it is Ideal, as I doubt I'll get another any time soon. Is really disappointing that's for sure.

 

[Stoneybroke]

That's what I said, but its up to consumer to prove the faults, in this case they are evident. But what I said is accurate.

Sorry, but I read your previous comment differently.
The rights change after 30--days, so a refund would not be as simple after that period, and I read your comment in the context of refunds, not wider remedies.

 

[GrannyJen]

I might be tempted to reject it but the waiting list to replace could well persuade me to hang in their and have faults rectified.

The total disgrace of course is that a dealer could have a vehicle for three months and either not notice, in three months of demonstrations, those faults or simply did not care.

For that reason alone the temptation to reject would increase.

In fairness to dealers mine was a three month old demo and apart from a chronic, and appallingly handled, mains charging problem, has been excellent.

 

[andyinluton]

Are you sure it really was exdemo and not someone elses reject? who was it previously registered to?

 

[Stevecaterham7]

Was registered to dealer so no concerns there.

To be fair the dealer has been excellent. Over the last few weeks they've sorted all of the issues, and because we've had various issues along the way agreed to fit lowered suspension and side bars free of charge. So now I've got a van with all problems resolved (fingers crossed!) plus almost £1,000 of bling!

 

[Meoncoast]

glad it appears to have been worked out for you.

 

[Flood51]

So after the debacle of ordering in February, expecting delivery in July and being told I'd get my van in October/November I ended up securing a 3,000 mile demo T6 DSG Beach.

Took delivery 3 weeks ago and discovered a host of problems. From air con not working, failing parking control, to problems with stop start and loose/missing trim in multiple places.

In the 3 weeks I should have had the van it has spent the last 2 weeks back at VW with them telling me that they couldn't work out why the air con and parking control didn't work. They've now ordered the parts they think they need but can't tell me when they'll be in.

So I guess my 2 key questions are:

1) Given so many issues so early in its life, is this normal for a T6 or have I got a dodgy 'Friday build' one?

2) Should I be expecting some kind of goodwill gesture given that I've been paying for my almost new van for weeks without actually being able to use it (they've given me an ocean, but frankly the layout is a pain for my lifestyle, which is why I ordered a Beach!).

I too have a dodgy aircon. Ocean delivered at the end of March and its going back for the fourth time on Thursday for SMG Cowfold to try again to fix it. So far its been recharged, leak tested and a new compressor fitted. Each time it works for a couple of weeks then fails again. I was rather hoping that a quick check of the computer would tell the VW technicians what the problem was but they seem to be just replacing the aircon bit by bit until its fixed. Very frustrating.

 

[Stevecaterham7]

I too have a dodgy aircon. Ocean delivered at the end of March and its going back for the fourth time on Thursday for SMG Cowfold to try again to fix it. So far its been recharged, leak tested and a new compressor fitted. Each time it works for a couple of weeks then fails again. I was rather hoping that a quick check of the computer would tell the VW technicians what the problem was but they seem to be just replacing the aircon bit by bit until its fixed. Very frustrating.

Ours has gone back in again as the aircon stopped working within a day of collecting it.

Interestingly, the loan T6 caravelle they've given us also has aircon issues. On this one it randomly keeps going hot on one side until you take it to low. Seems to swap the side it heats up irrespective of temperature set or outside temp.

Beginning to look like these T6 units may be problematic...

 

[Stoneybroke]

Ours has gone back in again as the aircon stopped working within a day of collecting it.

Interestingly, the loan T6 caravelle they've given us also has aircon issues. On this one it randomly keeps going hot on one side until you take it to low. Seems to swap the side it heats up irrespective of temperature set or outside temp.

Beginning to look like these T6 units may be problematic...

One to watch...

 

[snowy55]

Ours has gone back in again as the aircon stopped working within a day of collecting it.

Interestingly, the loan T6 caravelle they've given us also has aircon issues. On this one it randomly keeps going hot on one side until you take it to low. Seems to swap the side it heats up irrespective of temperature set or outside temp.

Beginning to look like these T6 units may be problematic...

Is this the full aircon with vents and controls in the back or the on/off button on the dash aircon you are talking about?