Dealer refuses to give courtesy car

[RMIM]

HI All,

My Polo VW which is about 2years old (warranty 3years) developed a simple problem that is covered by the warranty. (Something to do with spark plug coil or something. It's preventing one of the spark plugs from sparking).

It is a simple 30min job to fix. The part is not that costly either. Not that we have to pay for anything as it's covered by the warranty.

The only trouble is the part is out of stock. Apparently no where in the whole of the UK have they got this part! It has to come from Germany and could take 2 months! Im sure people could walk to Germany from the UK in less than 2 months.

Ok so I have to accept this - but they refuse to give me some kind of hire/courtesy car. They refuse to pay for a hire car. (This is the VW dealer I bought the car from)

Is this right? Are they allowed not to offer me any kind of compensation even though the car is on warranty? I don’t mind waiting 2 or 3 weeks with no car - but 2 months with nothing in return is a bit much.

Tried to get the part myself from a local VW and they said they don’t have any in stock - said it's a common problem with this model of Polo.

What can I do? Am I wrong to expect a courtesy car?

Thanks.

[Huweth]

All VW dealers should offer you a courtesy car, but obviously if they are all booked you can't have one. They probably just don't want to book one out for 2 months. I'd contact VW UK and get them to speak to the dealer, you can't be expected to be without a car because something they supplied broke. Thats not your fault.
It's worth noting that the excess on VW's courtesy car insurance is about £1500. I decided that was too rich for my blood should I have an accident during the 1 day I needed it. I'd be very scared to drive with a £1500 excess for 2 months.
Good luck and let us know what happens.

[RMIM]

It's worth noting that the excess on VW's courtesy car insurance is about £1500. I

Thanks for the reply Huweth. Yes £1500 excess is something to think about. Not worth the risk I think. Still would be nice to get something back for the huge delay.

[Huweth]

You could try and wangle an extended warranty or free service since a warranty is not much good if you can't drive the car...

[MalcQV]

They have to provide something surely, the product is not fit for purpose in it's current state

[RMIM]

They have to provide something surely, the product is not fit for purpose in it's current state

You would have thought. To me it's quite obvious they have to give me something - so how do they get away with not offering me anything? on-top-of-that clearly stating they will not pay. My car is still with them - you cant really run a car only on 3 sparks plugs. If it was a non essential part that would be something else.

[guyg]

It's worth noting that the excess on VW's courtesy car insurance is about £1500.

Ouch!

I'm not sure if all VW dealers do this, but Carrs of Helston offer a full indemnity waiver for £8 per loan whether it's for a morning or a whole week. I always pay as I think it's worth offsetting the risk...

I once had a courtesy car when my A6 went in on an insurance job [to replace the locks after I lost a key] and the insurance company transferred my insurance to the courtesy car for the duration of the loan. When I read the small print, it was part of the terms for the provision of a courtesy car.

You could probably arrange something similar if you need a loan car for an extended period of time.

Cheers

Guy

[Captain Answer]

You would have thought. To me it's quite obvious they have to give me something - so how do they get away with not offering me anything? on-top-of-that clearly stating they will not pay. My car is still with them - you cant really run a car only on 3 sparks plugs. If it was a non essential part that would be something else.

You've obviously never run a £50 bangor round out the paper, 3 spark plugs is a luxury

[s0niX]

Huweth, You said contact VW UK? Do you have a link you can send me for these or a phone number. VW UK the Main place??

[Sam]

Huweth, You said contact VW UK? Do you have a link you can send me for these or a phone number. VW UK the Main place??

Google?

Your own thread?

Our Links section?