Servicing under warranty--anywhere?

[Goz]

Hi,

I recently bought a new Polo Trendline and so it is still well within the 3 year manufacturer's warranty period.

My question is, can I get this car serviced by any mechanic and keep the warranty?
Or would the warranty become void if it's not done by the dealer where I bought the car?

Thanks in advance for any information.

[Transporter]

As long as your servicing is done to manufacturer's requirements by qualified mechanic, your warranty can't be voided.

[Guest001]

Make sure they use ONLY the correct APPROVED oil in the vehicle There is a list in the lubricants section of the Forum

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f77/list-approved-oils-erwin-site-85269.html

VW have been known to do oil tests on faulty motors to see if the oil was correct

[AdamD]

VW are currently offering a 5 year "goodwill" warranty (so, a 2-year extension) on DSGs if the car has been serviced through the dealer network for every scheduled service, and meets all other warranty criteria. Worth bearing that in mind in light of the spate of DSG failures.

[Transporter]

...and if you do so, just make sure that your VAG car doesn't have any performance tune since that automaticaly voids the warranty. It will be interesting to see how many affected by recall will get their car fixed if previously tuned.

[AdamD]

...and if you do so, just make sure that your VAG car doesn't have any performance tune since that automaticaly voids the warranty. It will be interesting to see how many affected by recall will get their car fixed if previously tuned.

As far as I know, VW will be required to replace parts that are being recalled, irrespective of any modifications to the vehicle. If it's a safety issue then it's a safety issue, and regardless of whether an owner has modified the part or not, it still constitutes a risk.

If this was just a campaign where VW were changing parts at their discretion as required, then the case would be different. But mechatronics are being replaced regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms, because the faulty parts are susceptible to future failure that may lead to a dangerous situation.

[Transporter]

Hmm, I received the email saying it's a voluntarty recall. Still, you're right and it should not mean anything in this instance and the car owners get their cars fixed, but most likely get flagged in the VW system as the one that was tempered with.

[brad]

Hmm, I received the email saying it's a voluntarty recall. Still, you're right and it should not mean anything in this instance and the car owners get their cars fixed, but most likely get flagged in the VW system as the one that was tempered with.

AFAIK, all recalls are voluntary.

[Guest001]

AFAIK, all recalls are voluntary.

No they arent the one in China was brought about by the Government

Most are forced upon manufacturers by the relevant authority due to dangerous or deficient goods

Eg something doesnt meet Australian Standard or has parts that may be swallowed by small children.

I am mildly perturbed that VW may choose to only replace perceived faulty units.

In one place on the Recall site it says Mechatronic units will be replaced and in the Mass mailout it says GEARBOX UNITS so what actually is it

[brad]

Sorry should have clarified that as "in Australia" as that is the recall email we are talking about.

A voluntary recall simply means the supplier & the government have come to an agreement as to the process that will be undertaken.

The Minister for Competition Policy & Consumer Affairs does have the power to order a compulsory recall of a product if it will or may cause injury to a person and where it appears that the supplier has not taken satisfactory action to prevent the goods from causing injury.

When you say:

Most are forced upon manufacturers by the relevant authority due to dangerous or deficient goods

Do you mean in Australia or world wide? The info I have is that the bulk of AUS recalls are voluntary. I asume because it's cheaper to come up with your own solution rather than have The Minister foist one upon you. maybe I'm wrong. It would be interesting to see some stats.

VWs recall notice says:

Volkswagen Group Australia will replace the gearbox mechatronic unit on all potentially affected vehicles at no cost to the customer. At the same time, we will also update customers’ vehicles with the latest software version.

relevant points in bold. In simple terms, if the vehicle is within the nominated date range then they'll change the mechatronics unit.

[Mum to 4]

As long as your servicing is done to manufacturer's requirements by qualified mechanic, your warranty can't be voided.

This, but you as the consumer need to be up to speed on what VW consider essential at each service. We just got caught out as our qualified mechanic failed to replace the DSG fluid at 60,000 because on the service page it says 'as required' but at the front of the book it says every 60,000km. VW Aust are now looking to use this to get out of the issue we have with our DSV saying we didn't have it serviced appropriately however to our knowledge (at the time) we did. So, just watch the fine print!!

[Transporter]

Re: Servicing under warranty--anywhere?

Clearly they aren't.

Sent from my GT-N8000

[Goz]

Thanks to all who've provided answers to my question, which was:

"My question is, can I get this car serviced by any mechanic and keep the warranty?
Or would the warranty become void if it's not done by the dealer where I bought the car?"

Based on the replies so far, the answer seems to be, "Yes, I can get it serviced by someone other than the dealer I bought the car from and still keep the warranty, but that someone needs to be a 'qualified' mechanic and the servicing needs to be done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

My questions are: (1) Where/how do I find these 'qualified' mechanics? Qualified by whom?
(2) How would I know if the servicing is done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Is there a certificate or some other document to evidence this?
(3) Is the 'good will' 2yr extension free?
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
(4) Which dealer or 'qualified' mechanic would you recommend (in Sydney), to get my car serviced (and keep the warranty)?
I'd appreciate information based on direct experience, thanks.

[Guest001]

Thanks to all who've provided answers to my question, which was:

"My question is, can I get this car serviced by any mechanic and keep the warranty?
Or would the warranty become void if it's not done by the dealer where I bought the car?"

Based on the replies so far, the answer seems to be, "Yes, I can get it serviced by someone other than the dealer I bought the car from and still keep the warranty, but that someone needs to be a 'qualified' mechanic and the servicing needs to be done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

My questions are: (1) Where/how do I find these 'qualified' mechanics? Qualified by whom?
(2) How would I know if the servicing is done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Is there a certificate or some other document to evidence this?
(3) Is the 'good will' 2yr extension free?
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
(4) Which dealer or 'qualified' mechanic would you recommend (in Sydney), to get my car serviced (and keep the warranty)?
I'd appreciate information based on direct experience, thanks.

1 A person who has qualified in his trade by doing an apprenticeship or similar
2 VW give you a printout with all the things that are required to be done according to which service they are doing. Dont know about a
Non VW Last one I had didnt, just ticked the bits in the service book. which isnt good enough
3 yes
4 Cant help someone will

[Transporter]

Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

Or maybe not? You need to balance it out, if the dealer servicing is worth to you or not? Often the dealer will supply the part and you pay for their labour which may be still very expensive. In the case of the DSG and the current recall you have nothing to worry about because it wouldn't exclude anyone who had their car serviced somewhere elso or not serviced at all.
So, if there was any recall - like now , then it doesn't matter where you service your car or not service it, you get your car repaired for free as people who service regularly.

Goodwill or not, I've sent my customers to the dealer for repairs when the car broke down after 3 years warranty and they got the car repaired for a fraction of the cost (didn't even pay for the full labor), they weren't the first owner (bought the car secondhand from the dealer) and never had any service done buy VW dealer.

I hope that helps you.