Newbie - Asking for help can you help me?

[polohelp]

Hello,

My name is Christina and am so upset with Volkswagen, could anyone offer advice? I have owned 2 polos the mk VI and VII, I had an accident in the VI and it was written off. So in October I purchased a silver 1.4 5 door - fab car (£10k). From Volkswagen Garage.

Anyway fast forward to last saturday have come off the M25 and car stalled. Started again and could not get the car into 1st, tried again and the clutch pedal was down to the floor. I was now blocking the slip road of the M25 and the police were called .

The car is four months old and vw have said that the clutch is destroyed and this is my fault - it is general wear and tear! How can this be true? I was riding the clutch, apparently. I do not do this - friends have sat with me when driving and I don't do this. I have driven 4000 miles, VW have launched a complaint and an investigator was called, he has said it was wear and tear too. They have threatened me wanting payment and wanting the courtsey car back.

I have had polos before and never had the problem - my last car was serviced regularly (where I purchased the new one), and I have never had a problem with this cars Clutch.

I am getting CAB involved - can anyone offer any other advice? This is bringing me to tears - i have not done anything wrong.

Thanks

Chris x

[oliverpologti]

did you buy it brand new or used from them even used should have a 12 month warrenty

which on you car invoice will state the milage when you bought the car and then show to them how little miles you have done

i cant see a clutch burning out in 4k miles you would have to be riding it like at 4000rpm i would have thought to give it enough abuse to go like that!

There are a few mechanics on here so i am sure someone will give you some more advise

hope all sorts itself out

ollie

[POLOZ]

Terrible to hear about your experience.

Ok, firstly VW wont replace the clutch under warrenty as it comes under wear and tear as I have been told b4 at my local dealers. But strangly in the warrenty brochure clutch is not mentioned as wear and tear.

I must caution you that VW dealers are very difficult to persue and make them understand that its not the customers fault.

It would be better to speak to the Dealership Manager in person and Warn them that if this doesn't get sorted then you'd have no choice but to get trading standards involved. No matter what just dont give in!!!!!

[polohelp]

Thanks for your replies. The car is brand new, I being made to feel like a criminal.

I drive very sensibly and prob spend most time driving on the motorway. I am just so gutted that VW behave like this.

Tonight the After-sales manager called me to tell me the repair would cost £550 and they would meet me half way. They have also said that if I don't agree the repair then I must bring back the courtesy car and get mine removed. Over the years all servicing has been done through them, and I have spent £19k on new cars.

[POLOZ]

So the car is brand new....For F*** Sake and they say it is wear and tear....Load of B********

Right since youve spoken to after sales manager....the next step would be speak to General Manager of that branch....and as I said warn them about you getting the Trading Standards involed.

Tell the GM that you've been buying cars and servicings...etc from them and this is the level of service they provide!!!!! If the car was bought in October Brand New and has only 4000 Miles.....that in imo is no where near wear and tear.....

Just keep going complaining and speak to the head of hear and make sure the message is conveyed to them......

Peace

[K.I.T.T.]

Sorry to hear you experience Christina...

Don't know if this advice is relevant as mine was 4 years old when I bought it from a dealer in October '07. Anyway, before buying it I insisted the cambelt was replaced as it needs to be done every 4 years and the salesman said "everyhing that needs to be replaced will be replaced". Well, on the second day of owning the car, the drivers seatbelt seized up rendering it unsafe to drive. As the garage I bought it from was 35 miles away, it was towed to my local dealer (all under warranty...the local dealer was Lookers, as opposed to someone else where I bought it from)...the service department of which went out of their way to update me at 11PM. I told them to do a once over of the car and they found that the rear disks were corroded and lipped and that the cambelt had not been replaced even though it was 4 years old. They also said, if they has sold the car, these issues would have been dealt with before hand. The seatbelt was sorted under warranty, but this work would cost well over £500. I rang the original garage and spoke to the sales manager and told them they had sold me an unsafe car (knackered seatbelt) which hadn't had the correct maintenance. They immediately arranged for it to be sorted out at no cost.

I'd get an opinion from another dealer if possible (out of interest what dealer did you buy the car from?). I think a clutch wearing out in 4000 miles is a load of rubbish...also maybe get an opinion of a few independent garages. Personally, I wouldn't deal with the garage after they've threatened you - I'd get it dealt with through trade standards. If a standard clutch can last >100k miles being driven normally, it can last 4000 miles even if you ragged the t**s of it (not saying you did).

Good luck and keep us updated! Fight the machine

Ash

[whitegtipolo]

vw dealers need i say more!!!

[polohelp]

Dear All,

Thank you for your replies, unfortunately I was left with no alternative than to pay half the bill. They have given back all my broken parts but I will pursue this with trading standards and Small claims court.

I hope none of you have the trouble I have had.

Best Wishes,

Christina

[POLOZ]

I am sure christina you must been in a difficult situation with all this going on.....but you shouldn't have given up. These dealers need to be thought a lesson and probably punished.

Anyhow, all the best with your right to justice and hope you get your money back.

Peace
KJ

[mwbpsx]

a bit late i know but if a cluth starts slipping and gets progressively worse thats wear and tear

if it just breaks thats a mechanical failure

wear and tear is an open book for dealers

every single fault is wear and tear, ie if the car never left the showroom it wouldnt have happened so its ur fault for driving it