looking for servicing in bucks

[Tompoole]

as title, I'm looking for someone to service a vw California yearly that is highly recommended and knows what they are doing

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Are you looking for an independent garage rather than a VW dealership @Tompoole ?

I’ve found Citygate in Wooburn Green to be good so far.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Not used them personally but these guys in Aylesbury look good.

 

[Perfectos]

Hi @Tompoole,

+1 for CityGate Wooburn Green,
they are a large Company who are a franchised VW main dealer for both Commercial Vans and Cars. (Restricted by VW in how they can operate. I.e. strictly to VW guidelines and procedures And costs imposed).

they (CityGate) have fixed every issue I have presented them with since the van was new, now 4 years old. (I have had more than my fair share of warranty issues, which have NOT been dealer attributable). They have carried out my routine maintenance to VW guidelines, so as to maintain the Factory Extended warranty on my Van.

Mine is a love hate relationship with them (CityGate) more to do with issues I have experienced with the Van since new (VW issues and the bureaucratic issues with VW, than the fault of the dealer, whom get the brunt of my frustration when problems have occurred).

City Gate have to been fairly good Compared to others dealer experience I hear about on this forum and the T6 forum.

Citygate have provided direct access to the Master tech and other techs if required and as requested, they have always provided a solution and sometimes gone above and beyond what would be normally expected when pushed.

I have recommended them to several on here before @GrumpyGranddad @andyinluton included, who appear to have had no issues with the service they have received From the dealer.

Servicing regime on these vans is a pretty basic affair, it is set by VW, it could / is carried out by many owners themselves, who are capable and who’s vans are generally out of warranty, similarly Indi’s are used by Many.

Fault Diagnostics are another issue.
No dealer repairs anything, it’s merely a case of :
Fault / issue = computer diagnostic of a fault = new part = payment. (Either you pay the dealer or VW under warranty)

Main dealers will be a higher Labour cost than an indi, parts cost should be similar. VW main Dealers will price match a like for like quote for servicing etc. (Within the parameters set by VW, I think Must be within 15 miles of the dealer and the garage who quote must be vat registered and using original VW parts)

the best advice I can give you is make a choice, give that choice a try, if you’re reasonably happy them all good, if not try another garage.

Breeze in Poole are highly recommended on this forum, the very little dealing I have had with them, I would agree.

I hope that helps a little and gives you what you’re looking for, (some comfort) but as always its a subjective matter and one you should make based on you’re experience. (One person’s experience may not be another’s and businesses don’t always cover themselves in Glory all the time).

 

[Tompoole]

Hi @Tompoole,

+1 for CityGate Wooburn Green,
they are a large Company who are a franchised VW main dealer for both Commercial Vans and Cars. (Restricted by VW in how they can operate. I.e. strictly to VW guidelines and procedures And costs imposed).

they (CityGate) have fixed every issue I have presented them with since the van was new, now 4 years old. (I have had more than my fair share of warranty issues, which have NOT been dealer attributable). They have carried out my routine maintenance to VW guidelines, so as to maintain the Factory Extended warranty on my Van.

Mine is a love hate relationship with them (CityGate) more to do with issues I have experienced with the Van since new (VW issues and the bureaucratic issues with VW, than the fault of the dealer, whom get the brunt of my frustration when problems have occurred).

City Gate have to been fairly good Compared to others dealer experience I hear about on this forum and the T6 forum.

Citygate have provided direct access to the Master tech and other techs if required and as requested, they have always provided a solution and sometimes gone above and beyond what would be normally expected when pushed.

I have recommended them to several on here before @GrumpyGranddad @andyinluton included, who appear to have had no issues with the service they have received From the dealer.

Servicing regime on these vans is a pretty basic affair, it is set by VW, it could / is carried out by many owners themselves, who are capable and who’s vans are generally out of warranty, similarly Indi’s are used by Many.

Fault Diagnostics are another issue.
No dealer repairs anything, it’s merely a case of :
Fault / issue = computer diagnostic of a fault = new part = payment. (Either you pay the dealer or VW under warranty)

Main dealers will be a higher Labour cost than an indi, parts cost should be similar. VW main Dealers will price match a like for like quote for servicing etc. (Within the parameters set by VW, I think Must be within 15 miles of the dealer and the garage who quote must be vat registered and using original VW parts)

the best advice I can give you is make a choice, give that choice a try, if you’re reasonably happy them all good, if not try another garage.

Breeze in Poole are highly recommended on this forum, the very little dealing I have had with them, I would agree.

I hope that helps a little and gives you what you’re looking for, (some comfort) but as always its a subjective matter and one you should make based on you’re experience. (One person’s experience may not be another’s and businesses don’t always cover themselves in Glory all the time).

hi
thanks for reply,
I bought the cali from wooburn green Citygate, their customer service very very good , however I had two issues with van early on but both occasions they failed to fix issue and when battery died they simply weren't competent in their actions.... I would have loved to carry on dealing with them as customer service team very good but lost confidence in their problem solving ability.
I've been using a local garage who are superb but don't pick up and deliver , ill continue to use local-ish garage but really need the camper picked up and delivered as we both work a lot.
cheers T

 

[Tompoole]

Not used them personally but these guys in Aylesbury look good.

View attachment 98597

cheers for info ill have a look
T

 

[Perfectos]

hi
thanks for reply,
I bought the cali from wooburn green Citygate, their customer service very very good , however I had two issues with van early on but both occasions they failed to fix issue and when battery died they simply weren't competent in their actions.... I would have loved to carry on dealing with them as customer service team very good but lost confidence in their problem solving ability.
I've been using a local garage who are superb but don't pick up and deliver , ill continue to use local-ish garage but really need the camper picked up and delivered as we both work a lot.
cheers T

Your case probably goes to highlight the issue with Dealer and VW (bureaucratic)

if the dealer could get paid for simply fitting a new battery, they would have fitted one, but VW will not pay for the parts & Labour unless the dealer complies fully with its onerous systems.
which means a lot of the time the dealer looks inept, for lack of action.

VW make the dealer go through a prolonged process before they will authorise the dealer change a battery Etc. knowing only then VW will pay.
I know I had my starter battery changed after it failed, but only after the third or fourth visit to the dealer And call out by VW assist, who said the battery was shot!
Only then did they (the dealer) do the factory soak test which proved the battery was faulty From the start!
VW standard response seems to be, if it’s going to cost VW, fob the customer off with limited info and see if they return, if they do, try fobbing them off again etc. until the customer is so exasperated they either demand a fix or simply give up. Hence my “when pushed” comment above

your experience further goes to explain my comment:

”always its a subjective matter and one you should make based on you’re experience. (One person’s experience may not be another’s and businesses don’t always cover themselves in Glory all the time).”

 

[Tompoole]

Your case probably goes to highlight the issue with Dealer and VW (bureaucratic)

if the dealer could get paid for simply fitting a new battery, they would have fitted one, but VW will not pay for the parts & Labour unless the dealer complies fully with its onerous systems.
which means a lot of the time the dealer looks inept, for lack of action.

VW make the dealer go through a prolonged process before they will authorise the dealer change a battery Etc. knowing only then VW will pay.
I know I had my starter battery changed after it failed, but only after the third or fourth visit to the dealer And call out by VW assist, who said the battery was shot!
Only then did they (the dealer) do the factory soak test which proved the battery was faulty From the start!
VW standard response seems to be, if it’s going to cost VW, fob the customer off with limited info and see if they return, if they do, try fobbing them off again etc. until the customer is so exasperated they either demand a fix or simply give up. Hence my “when pushed” comment above

your experience further goes to explain my comment:

”always its a subjective matter and one you should make based on you’re experience. (One person’s experience may not be another’s and businesses don’t always cover themselves in Glory all the time).”

Totally agree, I tested battery and told them it was shot but they said it wasn’t after doing a drop test without removing surface charge…. They suggested I should leave it in their car park for a week to see if the battery discharged itself , brilliant , very technical, there was no parasitic drain on battery and my battery tester said replace ….
That is incompetence my friend …..as said I’m more than happy with customer service ie they pick up deliver and always at end of phone but diagnosing battery fault is relatively simple job, and their approach rang alarm bells.
The other issue was a simple leak of rear tailgate… they had it 3 days then confirmed it leaked and needed to remove interior to locate leak…. It was only brake light seal leaking …. 10 min job.
Anyhow I’m rambling and sure they have many happy customers.
It’s a fantastic van love it to bits.
I may go back at some point soon to buy a 4 motion but doubt I’ll have it looked after there, but never say never I guesss

 

[Perfectos]

Totally agree, I tested battery and told them it was shot but they said it wasn’t after doing a drop test without removing surface charge…. They suggested I should leave it in their car park for a week to see if the battery discharged itself , brilliant , very technical, there was no parasitic drain on battery and my battery tester said replace ….
That is incompetence my friend …..as said I’m more than happy with customer service ie they pick up deliver and always at end of phone but diagnosing battery fault is relatively simple job, and their approach rang alarm bells.
The other issue was a simple leak of rear tailgate… they had it 3 days then confirmed it leaked and needed to remove interior to locate leak…. It was only brake light seal leaking …. 10 min job.
Anyhow I’m rambling and sure they have many happy customers.
It’s a fantastic van love it to bits.
I may go back at some point soon to buy a 4 motion but doubt I’ll have it looked after there, but never say never I guesss

I agree with you, a battery is either fit or unfit and is simple to test. (Not if you are VW apparently)

I’m not trying to be obtuse And I’m certainly not trying to change your perspective. as I said in my first post above and reiterated in My second post.

customer perception is reality.

I’m simply commenting on your original request for servicing in Bucks, you did not state main dealer of indi, you did not disclose your previous poor perception of Citygate Wooburn green, despite your open request As if you could not identify a dealer in Bucks.
you disclosed this after two subsequent responses Suggesting the same dealer, who is located in Bucks.

my response was and is for completeness of information & to allow others to understand a little how VW works via the dealer network (essentially franchised) & How ones persons perspective can be different to another For no apparent reason,( particularly for the same fault) other than expectation Of the customer vs the response of the dealer.

I have had my own frustrations which I was clear about but tried to explain briefly with a balanced response as to why I believed there were frustrations.

I find in general VW to have a shocking contempt for the customer which is often enforced by the dealers, whom are the customers conduit to VW.
In each instance i have experienced, I let the dealer know I would not accept being robbed off, (after the first fob off)
yes I may have had multiple visits to get a full result but that’s the way VW roll. (frustrate)
many are unable to or don’t want to be confrontational with the dealers or do not have the ability to convey their frustration or knowledge (or lack of it) of such issues and are therefore are fobbed off.

Its a repeative thread on all VW forums, the dealer goes along with the VW BS at the cost of the relationship with VW with the customer, which some find hard to believe)
Low cost / value repairs / warranty like your two instance above take a very low priority in a high volume business, it doesn’t matter to VW or the dealer that you may have spent your life savings on a VW California, they have money to make and bigger fish to fry, that’s how it is.

 

[Loz2286]

Another vote from me for Citygate.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I use Revolution VW, an indy near Great Missenden. They aren't especially cheap but very experienced and I've never had poor service from them, on our Audi cars as well as the Cali. They aren't going to do pick-ups/drop offs or loan vehicles though, they're just a very small outfit.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I use Revolution VW, an indy near Great Missenden. They aren't especially cheap but very experienced and I've never had poor service from them, on our Audi cars as well as the Cali. They aren't going to do pick-ups/drop offs or loan vehicles though, they're just a very small outfit.

Didn’t know of them but made a note for when i’m out of warranty. Just up the road from me
Thanks @Velma's Dad

 

[Drpps]

Thank you @Velma's Dad for the recommendation of https://www.revolutionvw.co.uk/ in Great Missenden.
I am still reeling from having an old school level of service and being able to talk to the person who worked on the vehicle. They have courtesy cars available now. Very impressed. Not particularly cheap but at least they know what they are doing.