Servicing

mattydon · Sunday at 7:55 AM

Advice please.
Do you think it would de-value the sell on price if I used a mobile mechanic to service the Cali?

Our Cali is due it's first MOT soon. I use a brilliant and trustworthy mobile mechanic for our Skoda car who saved me a fortune when Skoda main dealer told me I needed a whole new heater unit (the mobile mechanic diagnosed and fixed the issue in a few minutes!). Additionally, when we bought the Cali the VW dealer in Croydon tripped the electrics and the engine warning light came on! So, my confidence in main dealers is pretty non existent.

What do people think? Thanks

colintfcolintf · Sunday at 8:00 AM

To be honest, unless under a VW Warranty then I would use whoever I trusted most, ideally with experience of VW Transporters / Cali’s etc, but I would keep all receipts to build up a history file

Defender90 · Sunday at 8:03 AM

mattydon said:
Advice please.
Do you think it would de-value the sell on price if I used a mobile mechanic to service the Cali?

Our Cali is due it's first MOT soon. I use a brilliant and trustworthy mobile mechanic for our Skoda car who saved me a fortune when Skoda main dealer told me I needed a whole new heater unit (the mobile mechanic diagnosed and fixed the issue in a few minutes!). Additionally, when we bought the Cali the VW dealer in Croydon tripped the electrics and the engine warning light came on! So, my confidence in main dealers is pretty non existent.

What do people think? Thanks

Go for it I am of the same mindset the vw dealers from my experience are below par with regards attention to detail just keep a detailed record of all work done and use quality parts

colintfcolintf · Sunday at 9:49 AM

I wish on here there was a listing of preferred reputable service / MOT places, I think it could help many of us.

Lambeth Cali · Sunday at 10:54 AM

My experience of Croydon was terrible. Just idiots. I stopped using dealers 10+ years ago. If resale is likely, it might effect it but people’s experience of dealers for servicing a California seems pretty dire.

When I take mine to the VW specialist in S London it has always been the same guy, Jon, booking it in and answering the phone for ten years. It does build a bit of trust. At a dealer you usually get a receptionist don’t you? Who never calls you back.

WelshGas · Sunday at 11:13 AM

colintfcolintf said:
I wish on here there was a listing of preferred reputable service / MOT places, I think it could help many of us.

There is. If people can be bothered to post recommendations.

Dealer Reviews

Let us know how your VW Dealer looked after you

vwcaliforniaclub.com

WelshGas · Sunday at 11:21 AM

Lambeth Cali said:
My experience of Croydon was terrible. Just idiots. I stopped using dealers 10+ years ago. If resale is likely, it might effect it but people’s experience of dealers for servicing a California seems pretty dire.

When I take mine to the VW specialist in S London it has always been the same guy, Jon, booking it in and answering the phone for ten years. It does build a bit of trust. At a dealer you usually get a receptionist don’t you? Who never calls you back.

Like many things in life there are good and bad Dealerships.
I've used VW South Hereford for past 10 yrs. Been well looked after BUT I've had to travel for that service.

mattydon said:
Advice please.
Do you think it would de-value the sell on price if I used a mobile mechanic to service the Cali?

Our Cali is due it's first MOT soon. I use a brilliant and trustworthy mobile mechanic for our Skoda car who saved me a fortune when Skoda main dealer told me I needed a whole new heater unit (the mobile mechanic diagnosed and fixed the issue in a few minutes!). Additionally, when we bought the Cali the VW dealer in Croydon tripped the electrics and the engine warning light came on! So, my confidence in main dealers is pretty non existent.

What do people think? Thanks

If you plan on keeping the vehicle well outside of warranty, unlike many owners who change after 3/5 yrs then absolutely no releason not to use a trusted independent and keep all service records etc. Buyers of older vehicles tend to be less concerned on a Dealership Service record.
But if you plan to sell after 3/5yrs a buyer is more concerned at lack of such a record.
Some VW independents who are VAT registered can update the VW service record and have ready access to software updates etc.

B J G · Sunday at 6:01 PM

A record of all servicing is the most important documentation when it comes to selling. Doesn't seem to matter if a Main Dealer or not just proof needed.
Keep a file of everything as you can't have too much in the way of records.

Perfectos · 2024-11-04T00:26:18+0000

colintfcolintf said:
I wish on here there was a listing of preferred reputable service / MOT places, I think it could help many of us.

It would be only a few !

Dealers pay VW to franchise the VWBrand , that’s not the business model that suits the consumer. I pity the dealers whom pay VW. (Note they are of a considerable financial wealth! )

Perfectos · 2024-11-04T00:43:21+0000

Use your Cali, service it well and enjoy it

Perfectos · 2024-11-04T00:50:11+0000

Don’t think a Cali is not a vehicle that needs servicing like a 15k Kia just Because you paid a lot more, (a lot) the basic principle of engineering still exits, oil service is key every year !

mattydon · 2024-11-04T10:04:26+0000

colintfcolintf said:
I wish on here there was a listing of preferred reputable service / MOT places, I think it could help many of us.

Happy to share details of my brilliant mobile mechanic to anyone living near to him in London SE19

mattydon · 2024-11-04T10:09:09+0000

Thanks all. That has given me peace of mind to follow my instinct and use the person I trust to do a sound job

mattydon · 2024-11-04T10:11:18+0000

Lambeth Cali said:
My experience of Croydon was terrible. Just idiots. I stopped using dealers 10+ years ago. If resale is likely, it might effect it but people’s experience of dealers for servicing a California seems pretty dire.

When I take mine to the VW specialist in S London it has always been the same guy, Jon, booking it in and answering the phone for ten years. It does build a bit of trust. At a dealer you usually get a receptionist don’t you? Who never calls you back.

mattydon · 2024-11-04T10:12:34+0000

Would you mind sharing the details of your S London specialist, please? It would be useful to have more than one reliable mechanic. Thanks

Lambeth Cali · 2024-11-04T11:14:13+0000

mattydon said:
Would you mind sharing the details of your S London specialist, please? It would be useful to have more than one reliable mechanic. Thanks

Peter Norris

www.peternorris.co.uk

https://maps.app.goo.gl/E8agn2edsyfxgBnU9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Lambeth Cali · 2024-11-04T11:25:12+0000

mattydon said:
Would you mind sharing the details of your S London specialist, please? It would be useful to have more than one reliable mechanic. Thanks

The issue is the split between mechanical and camping stuff.
Any good mechanic can service a Transporter van.
The problems occur if water leaks in or you have problems with fridge, roof etc - the camping stuff. Here dealers are enormously variable. Some haven’t a clue. I have tried to learn to try and fix some stuff myself - I replaced my roof sensors.

For me Croydon SMG were rubbish, I tried Alan Day and they were a little better but shut their Tower Bridge location. Nowhere else to go. I recently had my electric side door fail which was difficult to find anyone to fix. Thankfully - praise be to Google - I found these auto electricians who were just great.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4bxfkipBg3VUwsPu6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy