VW Polo Car Issues

PLA74 on 20/10/2015 - 11:14
Last edited 20/10/2015 - 11:29 by 1 other user

Hello OzBargain Community,

We had purchased a new VW Polo car last year from our local dealership. Few days ago, the car stopped moving as we were driving home.

Long story short, the gearbox is broken in the car and needs to be replaced. Only thing is, dealership said that it might take a few weeks to order the part and install it. And we are left without a car.

We asked them for a rental/courtesy car to use as we are in an outage and have no car to get to work, and they made a story saying they don't have one available.

Can we take some legal action on this and make some legal/formal complaints?

Thank you for your time,
PLA74

Automotive

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Comments

  • spackbace on 20/10/2015 - 11:19

    Seemed like a good idea at the time, getting a VW didn't it? :P

    You may have to go directly to VW to try to get it, or ask to talk to the dealership GM/Dealer Principal.

    But at the end of the day, the dealership doesn't have to provide you a car.

  • altomic on 20/10/2015 - 11:30

    Can we take some legal action on this and make some legal/formal complaints?

    sure, but what good will it serve? it will take weeks for anything to happen, and they will fluff about and eventually say yes after they have returned your repaired car to you.

    call VW australia headoffice - 1800 060 936. explain your situation- how one of their virtually new cars has failed you, and see if they find a solution/ will put pressure on the dealer

    • PLA74 on 20/10/2015 - 12:36

      Yes, it does have the DSG transmission. And yes, it was recalled (dealership had sent out a formal letter about a year after we bought the car) and the dealership had done some work on the transmission. Something to do with the mineral oil that was used in the transmission causing loss of power.

      Now few years later, the transmission is broken and we have NO car while it is being repaired. We just got an update from the VW delership on this, the part is being shipped from Melbourne. No ETA on when we can have the car back though.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2015 - 12:10
    +1

    This is why I like manual, less headaches especially when you talk about vags crappy dsg box that still have problems

    • plmko on 20/10/2015 - 12:55
      +1

      Or you know, stick with the old torque converter auto cars. It's no coincidence the 'bullet proof' cars all have them.

      • Steptoe on 20/10/2015 - 15:02

        HQ's?

  • Mumbles on 20/10/2015 - 13:59

    I not a legal expert but I don't think there are any laws to force them to provide you a courteous car or to reimburse you for travel expenses.

    If you go to the ACCC or state fair trading websites I guess a car counts as a goods of sale. As long as the product is returned or repaired within a reasonable amount of time then the seller is fulfilling their legal responsibilities.

    Different states have vehicle lemon laws but your Volkswagen probably won't fall into this category as it isn't repeatedly breaking down.

    I think there is a point where you can probably take legal action but that's only if they are taking an unreasonably long time (eg. 6 months in the workshop). The seller can then fight it and then you'd have to seek expert legal advice for other strategies if its the case that Volkswagen Australia claims its normal for 6 months repairs then your lawyer may argue they knowingly sold you a defective product…

    Walking in the shoes of a Dealer Principal there's no chance I'd give out a loaner car for a Polo DSG warranty issue. A loaner car is a precious commodity as there is only a few of them. Besides, the loaner cars can be booked out weeks in advance. The purpose of a loaner car is to win over customers who demand a loaner car or else will go to another dealership/mechanic for their warranty servicing. With your issue they know you have no choice except maybe another Volkswagen dealership.

    Unfortunately, to a Volkswagen dealership the Polo is the cheapest model. Its unlikely the dealership made large amounts of profit or consider you a high value or future repeat customer.

    Sorry to hear about your issues. Volkswagen DSG gearboxes are notorious for their unreliability. The USA is even more litigious than Australia and I don't think the yanks have had any more luck than you with obtaining compensation from Volkswagen or banning the sale of their vehicles. I think there are a few USA customer surveys they rate Volkswagen as the number one dissatifactory car brand.

    My best advice is in future be cautious of European cars. Dump the Volkswagen before its warranty expires. Parts and repair costs are very high. I think a replacement DSG geabox for a Golf is over $10K. A replacement supercharged VW Golf engine is over $6K. Even after repairs with new parts Japanese car will still beat it for reliability and longevity.

    Decide with your wallet or in other ways. Saw a video of a disgruntled Jeep owner who got crowd funded to destroy his Jeep with hardcore contruction equipment. Maybe its time for a Volkswagen video ;P

    • PLA74 on 20/10/2015 - 14:11

      Thank you for your advice Mumbles. I did purchase the extended warranty on this (3 years factory + 2 years extended = 5 years total and warranty is transferable is car is sold).
      Will try to sell it before the warranty expires and switch back to the good, reliable Toyota Corrola's!

  • maybeamacy on 20/10/2015 - 14:14

    Hey PLA74, I suggest you make a post on Whirlpool forums - you'll get more responses and hopefully better advice there.

  • porsche804 on 21/10/2015 - 07:48
    +1

    Email VW about the issue, this will solve your issue. I worked for VW for many years, if VW say jump the manager ask how high or they are given penalties.

    • PLA74 on 21/10/2015 - 09:32

      Thanks porsche804. I sent an email to them last night about this issue. Trying to get in contact with the dealership/manager today.
      *fingers-crossed :)

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