johnsimcox
10-06-2023, 12:39 PM
Had the car in for its third service + MOT this week. Had a recall request from VW to update the infotainment software (kind of expected that). Later in the day I was advised that the software would not load and they needed a part which would arrive overnight, which it did. End of that day, call to say software still would not load and throwing large number of error codes. Next day advised that after lots of investigation and remote diagnostics by VW they have determined that the 5F control module is faulty and needs replacing, however there are none available in the whole of Europe and there is no expectation as to when one will become available. Fortunately I had arranged a loan car so am still mobile. However what totally shocked me was that the cost of this part, apparently warranty parts are priced on a cost + small percentage, was £3500! There would be labour for installing and programming on top of that.
What this got me thinking was that I am fortunate this failed while the car was still (just) in warranty, but if it had required replacing in say another 3 years time when the car was 6 years old, the cost of replacement would probably not be economic compared to the value of the car, resulting in a perfectly good car being scrapped. It would almost certainly be impossible to replace outside the dealership network as it would need the software downloading from VW in order to programme it for the car and no doubt it is a protected component as well. There is clearly a major downside to all the sophisticated systems the manufacturers are providing in new cars.
In all this I cannot fault the dealer or VW, they have been nothing but helpful and with VW having to pick up the cost of the loan car I am sure they will be keen to get this resolved asap.
What this got me thinking was that I am fortunate this failed while the car was still (just) in warranty, but if it had required replacing in say another 3 years time when the car was 6 years old, the cost of replacement would probably not be economic compared to the value of the car, resulting in a perfectly good car being scrapped. It would almost certainly be impossible to replace outside the dealership network as it would need the software downloading from VW in order to programme it for the car and no doubt it is a protected component as well. There is clearly a major downside to all the sophisticated systems the manufacturers are providing in new cars.
In all this I cannot fault the dealer or VW, they have been nothing but helpful and with VW having to pick up the cost of the loan car I am sure they will be keen to get this resolved asap.