Third-Party Mechanic Services and Dealership Warranty

[VWBOUI]

Hi guys,

Ideally, we do not have to service the car through VW dealerships to be covered under the new car warranties. However, chances are dealerships will find excuses to refuse to fix any problem under warranty.

From what I heard, VW has gotten rid of the logbooks (I did not get one from dealership either) and I do not think the service records can be saved in the infotainment system like BMW. Anyone know if there is a proven way to service the car through a third-party mechanic workshops but still keep the new car warranty? And do anyone have any experience on going through 3rd-part mechanic and still fix things under warranty?

Appreciate the help.

[NZTiguan]

An excellent question as I’m sick to death of paying over $700 for a service I can get for less than half that at the local TOYOTA garage !!

[Lucas_R]

What is stopping you from buying a VW logbook and then having the mechanic of your choice service the car and stamp the logbook?

[NZTiguan]

Tue problem you get into is that VW won’t release any of the updates and electronic information to “outsiders” so they can only really do the very basics such as oil changes.

[MIG]

Tue problem you get into is that VW won’t release any of the updates and electronic information to “outsiders” so they can only really do the very basics such as oil changes.

VW have recalls and TSBs as public info they have to, TPIs and other service info can be obtained via subscribing to ErWin, and independent repair shops can even get Immobilizer operation access with the right tools and subscription.

Check out Official Factory Repair Information - Ross-Tech Wiki

"All vehicle manufacturers are required by U.S. law to make their TSBs available to the public."

[Umai Naa!!]

Under Australian law, workshops outside of the dealer network can have access to repair information as well as being able to update online service history.

[NZTiguan]

They may in theory have access to everything but they can’t connect your VW direct to the VW Europe base on the internet and get all the latest world wide updates etc and they don’t have, nor can they get access to the programs that the VW service agents run to both check and service your VW. Yes they can fix something or do some maintenance but when it comes to the fine points they simply don’t have the equipment or the programs to do things and the work done is not shown in the world wide VW data base. Come time to trade it in and you’ll see just how much difference that makes !! VW aren’t alone in this of course, check out BMW, Mercedes and all the other more high tech Marques and they’re all the same. They’re simply not going to let their development work be handed over to Joe Bloggs mechanic.

[Umai Naa!!]

Part of the access to information includes software updates, where necessary, and technical service bulletins.

The savy European specialists are all over it, and are just as capable as dealerships. Some would argue, even more capable.

[NZTiguan]

Wish that was the case in NZ !

[Guest001]

They may in theory have access to everything but they can’t connect your VW direct to the VW Europe base on the internet and get all the latest world wide updates etc and they don’t have, nor can they get access to the programs that the VW service agents run to both check and service your VW. Yes they can fix something or do some maintenance but when it comes to the fine points they simply don’t have the equipment or the programs to do things and the work done is not shown in the world wide VW data base. Come time to trade it in and you’ll see just how much difference that makes !! VW aren’t alone in this of course, check out BMW, Mercedes and all the other more high tech Marques and they’re all the same. They’re simply not going to let their development work be handed over to Joe Bloggs mechanic.

And thats why you pay the big money for the service

[NZTiguan]

You get that but on a fixed income (we’re retired) the difference is two weeks groceries and I’d rather eat !!