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Closing the unstable door?

I own a VW Golf Mk5 SE 1.6 FSI 115PS registered 16/05/2006. The ESP OFF light came on along with the skidding car motif on the console and would not respond to the switch. Peter Cooper (Southampton) Ltd my VW agent tells me that the sensor on the ABS pump is to blame. They say there is nothing wrong with the pump but it all comes as a package and will cost around £1,000 to replace. The car has 26,000 miles on the clock and has been serviced by them according to VW requirements. They have approached the manufacturer asking for support and are waiting to hear back from them but what can I expect and what would be fair? My wife and I are mature drivers and don't thrash the car. Our previous Golf lived up to the brand but I have already had the catalytic converter fail and while this was replaced under warranty I am surprised by this latest failure. They say it’s not an uncommon event and we should get support. Will we?

Asked on 13 February 2010 by J.W., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
VAG has a massive problem with the Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP module. There is a high rate of failure at 3 - 6 years old and this is an opportunity to warn people not to buy used examples of A3s, Golfs, Tourans, Leons, Alteas, Toledos or Octavias cars without ensuring that the ABS/ESP unit has been replaced. If it hasn't, knock the price down £1,500. VW is obviously trying to limit the damage to its own bottom line, but is behaving reasonably. Where the cars are 100% VW dealer serviced, and less than 4 years old it will pay 100% of the cost of the part and 50% of the cost of the labour to fit it. Where the car is older, has been serviced outside the VW dealer chain, or there is any doubt about the service history, it pays less.

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