Why does the gearbox whine on our new Volkswagen High Up?
In June my wife took delivery of a new Volkswagen High Up. Within a week we were aware of a distinct whine from the engine compartment. I queried the noise with the garage and, after discussing it with VW, Milton Keynes, I was told the whine was from the gearbox and was a feature of the car, but was not detrimental to performance. Finally, early in October, I was asked if Volkswagen could have the car for a week so that the problem could be investigated by two German engineers. I took the car to the garage on 18 October from whence, I understand, it was taken to Milton Keynes for examination and returned a week later. I received a letter dated 2 November from the dealer’s after sales manager saying that the “fault”, (his word), was being investigated in order to resolve the problem, and I would be contacted as soon as they had information from Germany, since when I have not had a reply. Can you advise on a course of action, and have you had any similar complaints?
Asked on 26 January 2013 by DB, Crick, Northampton
Answered by
Honest John
It's a standard feature, shared by the Up, Mii and Citigo. Drivetrains whine on some and don't whine on others. These are cheap cars built down to a price. On the basis of letters and emails from readers over the past 17 years, Volkswagen gearboxes on Polos and Golfs have been no better and no worse than on Fiats, Renaults, Hondas or Toyotas, though there have been fewer problems with Ford gearboxes. Look at the records in www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar
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