HJ always says that repair costs for a car are not based on what you paid for it, but what it cost when new.

I think that is very true.

Having said that, I think some dealers really need to go out of business.

When my daughters 5 yr old fabia's electrically operated bootlatch failed, apart from being annoyed at what should be a lifetime item, I was apprehensive at the likely repair cost. I was shocked to hear that the dealer in Aberdeen quoted her £100 (plus, I expect, Vat) for labour plus cost of the part (£30) which would take "at least 3 days" to get, and didnt even have the courtesy to secure the permanentley open boot for her. A local indie quoted her £50 plus told her she had to source the part herself, but did tiewrap the boot shut for her foc.

In the end I got the part for £28 from my local dealer, next day delivered, and when she travelled down two days later to visit, it took literally less than five minutes to change and fix, of which popping off the 15 or so fasteners on the boot card, took the most time. 3 bolts and disconnect/reconnect thats all.

£100 for a 5 minute job? Was it because she was a young woman who appeared anxious to get her car secure?

I'm sure an expensive car, accompanied by a wealthy and probably busy client will get charged "the going rate" for the job!

Sounds as if it would be cheaper to buy a proper executive car, e.g. Mercedes or BMW. Starting to think the only VAG products worth considering are the cheap end mass produced budget models - even then only at the end of the model cycle, as it seems all new VAG designs are riddled with design and/or quality problems. And the dealer network is exceedingly slow at learning how to fix them.

Has Brum ever had a VAG car and if he has what issues has he had.

Yes a vag devotee since 1972! With short and regrettable escapades with Saab, Fiat and Vauxhall....

In order...

Beetle 1300

Polo

Passat

Golf mk 3

Alhambra (2)

Fabia (3)

Octavia

The best by far is the 98 Alhambra 1.9tdi (AHU engine - peak of vw perfection)

Because I run and maintain them until they die, I know them all inside out, and in the last year its become apparent from forums and personal experiences, that all those built in the last decade have basic design weaknesses that lead to premature scrappage. E.g poor valve guide design/quality in 3 pot petrols, crap tensioner design in tsi engines etc etc

The dealer(s) response is usually to stick their fingers in their ears and sing " lalala first we heard about that!"

You probaby dont know because you dont own the cars long enough.

Edited by brum on 08/10/2014 at 15:45

We have had other makes, none of which impressed.

We are currently running 5 of the last cars in the list. All cars were bought new. The alhambra is 16 years old and having its mot today.

For many years I evangalized Vag, but nowadays I'm more objective and when you spend a lot buying new and start hearing chain rattle before 2 years have passed only to be stonewalled by the dealer, it annoys, to put it mildly.

I think the real reason I've stuck with Vag is summed up in the adage "better the devil you know". I think I should have the balls to try Mercedes or BMW, but fear of mega costs keep me at bay.

All 4 window regulators? failing on my Octavia IMO was unforgivable on a car that is basically a VW/Audi. I will be reluctant to go back, especially as my Focus is so much better to drive.