GTI post service query

[tonyrafferty]

Hi,

In October of last year I bought a MK4 Golf GT TDI 150 52 plate with 81k on the clock from a local garage. Yesterday I took it for a lube service at my local VW garage as it had just passed the 12 month recommendation period and as it came with full VW History I would like to keep that trend going. When I got it back VW ‘advised’ me it had slight play in the n/s/r track arm and the rear axel bushes had separated and to have it fixed would cost £700.

When I bought the car it had just been through an MOT, it came with a 3 year warranty and I have done 5 thousand miles since I bought it.

I phoned the original garage and said that VW had discovered these problems and I was concerned that after only 3 months of owning it I was looking at a potentially large bill to fix it and could they help, as I expected they refused and said they are perishable parts that are prone to wear and tear and are not covered by the warranty. The garage said “this is VW scaremongering and looking to drum up business”, this could be right or it could just be the original garage avoiding the subject and passing the buck. Regardless of this I potentially have two problems which need to be fixed if they are true. Do you think I should get a second opinion to see if they are true and push to see if the problems existed when I bought the car so I can go back to the original garage with a case, or do you think it’s possible they have developed in the 5k I have done since I bought it?

I could be clutching at straws here but I would value your opinion either way. Sorry for the essay.

Thanks, Tony

[chrisvrscrx]

I don't see why VW would check these things unless it was part of the 'lube service'

[tonyrafferty]

the lube service is a filter and oil change, it also consists of a visual check. as i have found out the visual check enables them to tell you what they think is wrong with the car and hopefully you will pay them to fix it.

[chrisvrscrx]

the lube service is a filter and oil change, it also consists of a visual check. as i have found out the visual check enables them to tell you what they think is wrong with the car and hopefully you will pay them to fix it.

Exactly! Maybe they are just scouting for business. I may be worth getting a second opinion tho. See what some of the other forum members say.

[v6dub]

i would go for a second opinion mate to be fair, cause stearing and bushes are both looked at in an mot, if the second opinion picks them up then i would go back to the garage you got the car from and show them your evidence, or could go to the VOSA and report the mot test center, cause what goes on a lot of the time is that secondhand car dealer is friends with a test center and sometimes they pass cars that sould not be passed i know of one in hindhead that this happens at all the time.

[yoogin]

Hi mate, reading your post I would say that VW are looking for business as the problems listed are suspension related and perishable they can deteriorate as soon as 3 months after an MOT, not to mention the cost quoted......... £700 to carry out the work seems V steep to me for relatively simple work, get a second opinion, it might save you some money.

[tonyrafferty]

thanks yoogin and v6dub for your thoughts - this maybe wishful thinking but i guess by getting a second opinion i am hoping they will either say these problems do not exist and to forget about it or that they will say the problems were probably there when i bought the car in which case i can then go back to the original garage with some evidence. i wonder if its possible to get hold of the MOT report from october????

anyway, i am going to another garage tomorrow, i will update this post as and when.

thanks again, Tony

[OzzyDan]

i had my rear bushes changed about two months ago at a cost of £25 quid (i brought them myself from a A1 Motorstores outlet) for both rear bushes, and my local garage charged me £80 quid to fit them,

you could fit them yourself its dead easy to do but its a right pain trying to the bushes out without a press you could try with a hacksaw, hammer and a blow torch as i know of people who have done this but i would still say the bushes would not come out without a fight thought plus its a bit brutal.

the absence of a press was why i took my to my Local garage

as for the track arm if it aint knocking or vibrating the steering wheel i wouldnt worry about it till it does.

hope this helps