Servicing details / fiasco

[CaliforniaCylus]

My Ocean has just had it's first service and four warranty items were reported. One was fixed, two were described as "to be expected" or "within tolerance".

The fourth one (sagging roof) was investigated, van on a ramp, hydraulic fluid drained and investigations on-going. Allegedly. They had the van a week. The "service" and one fix were done on the drop-off date.

The roof hydraulics were all miraculously checked and tested whilst the VAN remained locked and never opened in a parking space at the dealership. Ignition hadn't be turned on for a week when I collected the van. No tracker movements other than the first day.

I haven't received any paperwork and whilst I've been told verbally that the oil and filter change has been done. How can I be sure? The van does a lot of towing so I need the oil change (and presumably filter) done every year.

The Service Menu in the Cali says:

Inspection in 24900 miles or 723 days

Oil change service in 14300 mi or 723 days

Van has done 9176 miles

I also can't find any list of what is supposed to happen at the various services.

 

[sidepod]

Wow!

 

[larrylamb]

I'm sure my VW garage at Preston sends a video report of underneath, brakes etc when service is done.

 

[Andyhcfc]

My Ocean has just had it's first service and four warranty items were reported. One was fixed, two were described as "to be expected" or "within tolerance".

The fourth one (sagging roof) was investigated, van on a ramp, hydraulic fluid drained and investigations on-going. Allegedly. They had the van a week. The "service" and one fix were done on the drop-off date.

The roof hydraulics were all miraculously checked and tested whilst the VAN remained locked and never opened in a parking space at the dealership. Ignition hadn't be turned on for a week when I collected the van. No tracker movements other than the first day.

I haven't received any paperwork and whilst I've been told verbally that the oil and filter change has been done. How can I be sure? The van does a lot of towing so I need the oil change (and presumably filter) done every year.

The Service Menu in the Cali says:

Inspection in 24900 miles or 723 days

Oil change service in 14300 mi or 723 days

Van has done 9176 miles

I also can't find any list of what is supposed to happen at the various services.

I have had the roof problem for two years now, and a certain dealer near Gatwick airport had not had an issue with the roof, every time I left my new van with them to fix. I have been in touch with VW, but just going around in circles. I will try Adrian at VW again as soon as my holidays are done, as the last issue was the roof said closed, and it most certainly wasn't!! I would rather be camping than taking my van to a dealer every other week!

 

[B J G]

I'm sure my VW garage at Preston sends a video report of underneath, brakes etc when service is done.

Just a walk around video with no actual work being carried out.

On one that I had it said rear pads 60% despite new ones being fitted the week before and having done 30 miles.

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

I also can't find any list of what is supposed to happen at the various services.

VW won't have one neither. I decided it was safer to part exchange the van than get it serviced!

There appears to be very little transparency in all this. We are at the mercy of the dealer. That is why I will be travelling 2 hours to Breeze in Poole.

 

[larrylamb]

Just a walk around video with no actual work being carried out.

On one that I had it said rear pads 60% despite new ones being fitted the week before and having done 30 miles.

, i was referring to service videos done on a ramp as the Op's van has never moved or been unlocked for its apparent service.

 

[Elmo3]

Send an oil sample to a lab for testing.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I wonder who the dealer is, in the original post ?

 

[andyinluton]

Send an oil sample to a lab for testing.

If you pull the dipstick before & very shortly after a service you should be able to see the difference.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

If you pull the dipstick before & very shortly after a service you should be able to see the difference.

Yes in hindsight there is much I could have done. Didn't expect such inept behaviour.

Lesson learnt.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Yes in hindsight there is much I could have done. Didn't expect such inept behaviour.

Lesson learnt.

Who was the dealer?

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Yeomans, Exeter

 

[Elmo3]

If you pull the dipstick before & very shortly after a service you should be able to see the difference.

Yep, although even after a short journey it could be black again. An oil sample analysis will be able to tell all.

 

[BeerhowlerSouthWest]

Yeomans, Exeter

Oh dear oh dear, I have owned two Transporters, a T5 Kombi that we were going to convert, but decided on a 2018 California Beach with 15k miles purchased 3 years ago from VW Commercial dealer Carrs, now Yeomas Exeter.

We paid £52k the years ago, and have only just sold for £37500 with 30k miles, such is the current flat market for these vehicles. We've lost £14500 in three years of ownership.

I would never go to a VW dealer for services or, frankly, anything else.

I have only ever used Volkscraft in Exeter. They are a fully authorised VW service centre that only use VW original parts. They have full access to VW service records. They only look after Audi and VW, and are particularly specialised in Transporters.

The whole timing belt debacle speaks volumes for VW UK's practices.

Why are we, here in the UK, told that the timing belt (and water pump) must be changed at four years or 60k miles, when in Germany, the country of vehicle origin states 10 years and/or 220k kilometres?

Of course there's the arm-up-your-back threats of invalidated warranty if you don't subscribe to this rip-off policy.

Then the threat of a written off engine should you dare to ignore the stipulation.

Dishonesty doesn't come close.

The vehicles are great, with one of two small gripes, but the UK VW Dealership network is not to be trusted in my book.

 

[Gina-B]

I live in Exeter but drive to Poole for my vehicle service. Second service coming up this month so, fingers crossed.

 

[BeerhowlerSouthWest]

I live in Exeter but drive to Poole for my vehicle service. Second service coming up this month so, fingers crossed.

Gina give Volkscraft a call, they are dedicated specialists.
Marsh Barton.
I am nothing more than a very happy customer of theirs that's disappointed they don't service Fiat.

We've had to change to a larger campervan. A Fiat Ducato based Hymer 600 Campus. It doesn't drive as well as the Cali but medical reasons needed full height standing room inside.
Nevertheless a sad day to see the Cali go, not to mention the significant loss we suffered

 

[Gina-B]

Gina give Volkscraft a call, they are dedicated specialists.
Marsh Barton.
I am nothing more than a very happy customer of theirs that's disappointed they don't service Fiat.

We've had to change to a larger campervan. A Fiat Ducato based Hymer 600 Campus. It doesn't drive as well as the Cali but medical reasons needed full height standing room inside.
Nevertheless a sad day to see the Cali go, not to mention the significant loss we suffered

Yes I'm sure you were sad to let the Cali go! But hopefully you'll enjoy your trips away in your Fiat just as much. Fingers crossed for you.
I'll see how I go with my van's service at Poole this month, but thanks for the tip re Volkscraft - I'll certainly keep them in mind for the future. I don't live far from Marsh Barton so it would be easy for me; I know where they are - save the long trip to Poole in future maybe!! Thanks again.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Oh dear oh dear, I have owned two Transporters, a T5 Kombi that we were going to convert, but decided on a 2018 California Beach with 15k miles purchased 3 years ago from VW Commercial dealer Carrs, now Yeomas Exeter.

We paid £52k the years ago, and have only just sold for £37500 with 30k miles, such is the current flat market for these vehicles. We've lost £14500 in three years of ownership.

I would never go to a VW dealer for services or, frankly, anything else.

I have only ever used Volkscraft in Exeter. They are a fully authorised VW service centre that only use VW original parts. They have full access to VW service records. They only look after Audi and VW, and are particularly specialised in Transporters.

The whole timing belt debacle speaks volumes for VW UK's practices.

Why are we, here in the UK, told that the timing belt (and water pump) must be changed at four years or 60k miles, when in Germany, the country of vehicle origin states 10 years and/or 220k kilometres?

Of course there's the arm-up-your-back threats of invalidated warranty if you don't subscribe to this rip-off policy.

Then the threat of a written off engine should you dare to ignore the stipulation.

Dishonesty doesn't come close.

The vehicles are great, with one of two small gripes, but the UK VW Dealership network is not to be trusted in my book.

I've had issues with other brand main dealers but because of the included servicing and warranty I'd like to find a good VWCV dealer. Also the camping aspect *might* be a bit specialist for many independents.

Breeze seems to tick the boxes so I guess that's where I'm heading next!

After further correspondence with Yeoman's I do believe they did the oil change. Just totally cocked up on the warranty stuff.

 

[BeerhowlerSouthWest]

I've had issues with other brand main dealers but because of the included servicing and warranty I'd like to find a good VWCV dealer. Also the camping aspect *might* be a bit specialist for many independents.

Breeze seems to tick the boxes so I guess that's where I'm heading next!

After further correspondence with Yeoman's I do believe they did the oil change. Just totally cocked up on the warranty stuff.

I too was offered the 'All In' service deal, but whilst it appears to offer free MOT's you have to have the vehicle serviced annually. Transporters are a bi-annual service schedule meaning the deal has the vehicle effectively being over-serviced.

When I had the T5 Kombi under warranty, Carrs (pre Yeomans) were expert at wriggling out of warranty work.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

I too was offered the 'All In' service deal, but whilst it appears to offer free MOT's you have to have the vehicle serviced annually. Transporters are a bi-annual service schedule meaning the deal has the vehicle effectively being over-serviced.

When I had the T5 Kombi under warranty, Carrs (pre Yeomans) were expert at wriggling out of warranty work.

We tow a caravan with our Cali and feel an annual oil change is necessary.