Submitted by
@Robert Green
Dealer Review
VW California Club Forum
Just under a year ago I bought privately a 2010 California T5 SE TDI 180 (CFCA) DSG with 20k miles, a full service history and an AA examination with a clean bill of engine health.
After collecting, and after about an hours driving home at motorway speeds the DPF light came on with a formidable “ping”. This was to be a re-occurring nightmare for the next five thousand miles - on every journey exceeding one hour.
I brought forward the annual service date, reporting the repeated DPF alarms to the VW Listers van dealer in Droitwich. Nothing untoward could be found. The symptoms continue all last summer with repeat visits to VW Listers to no avail.
The crescendo of the experience was last September returning from Alicante and experiencing “limp” mode half way between Zaragosa and Pamploma but managing nevertheless to make Bilbao and home.
When back, I again reported to VW Listers and that I thought that my oil consumption was higher than I would have expected, of around 1000 miles per litre - could that be linked?
Suggested, was an accurate oil test by removing the engine oil, weighing and then re-filling. Then driving 600 miles – removing oil again and re-weighing. The result was that the oil consumption, accurately measured was outside the VW guidance for a vehicle with low mileage and having a full service history. The solution would be a replacement engine and diesel particulate filter, which, may be supported by VW evidently.
I asked Listers to negotiate with VW on my behalf – the result being that I have paid just over 40% of the whole cost.
Obviously I would have preferred not to have had to face up to this sum, but feel that as VW and Listers have funded over 50% on what is now a seven year old van, that the result was a reasonably fair one.
The oil consumption review was on the Monday, as was the agreement on the remedy. By Tuesday lunchtime the old engine was on the floor and the new unit with auto box fitted along side. I drove away on the Friday with a two-year warrantee. I also choose to fund water pump and cam belt replacement. After a soul-searching wobble, I also decided to replace the turbo charger.
In retrospect; I feel very disappointed that it was necessary to replace an engine from a quality manufacturer, effectively at twenty thousand miles, but am grateful for Listers efforts to recover the situation, and would commend Listers Droitwich to other VW van owners.
Update - 17 June. Just returned from Spain 2500 miles, engine and van brilliant. MPG increased from 28 with old engine to 40 plus with new unit. Tick, tick, tick!