Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose?

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Fri 3 Jan 2020 16:42
Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose? - JJSG
Hi all, I’m hoping that you clever lot will be able to help me with an issue I have run into with my VW Polo 1.4 TDI 2014 79k miles.

To cut a long story short, after an issue with the car we have discovered that the dual mass flywheel is smashed to pieces. The clutch itself shows little/no signs of wear. We have tried to source a dual mass flywheel and other relevant parts from various motorfactors but to no avail. Biting the bullet we contacted a local VW franchise to get a quote for the parts only to be told that VW don’t produce the parts required. This is because they now manufacture an ‘updated part’ (as they called it) which consists of a conversion to a single mass flywheel. When I enquired as to why the part was updated I got a very cagey response along the lines of ‘oh sometimes we might update parts if we think, for example, they are more efficient than the original part’.

This leaves us stuck between a rock and a hard place with it appearing that we have no choice but to send the car back to VW for the ‘updated part’ to be fitted with a bill in the region of £1,200.

My question is can manufacturers just try and hide behind saying a part has been ‘updated’ thereby us having to foot the bill? My view is that this isn’t just an ‘update’ of a part; changing from
DMF to SMF is not just a slight update it is completely different. Would this suggest that the original system was not fit for purpose? Particularly in light of the fact that VW simply don’t manufacture the original part any longer.

I would love to know your views as to where we stand. Thanks in advance for any help.

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Fri 3 Jan 2020 16:55
Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose? - RT

Given the age of the car, I think you have little chance of getting VW to pay up - unless the car has a FULL VW dealer service history when you might get a contribution.

See if you can source a SMF from motor factors

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Fri 3 Jan 2020 18:53
Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose? - 72 dudes

Given the age of the car, I think you have little chance of getting VW to pay up - unless the car has a FULL VW dealer service history when you might get a contribution.

Even then, it would be regarded as a wear and tear part, much like the clutch itself.

Known to go on many diesel cars, not just the Polo.

See if you can find a VW Independent specialist nearby (i.e. not a main dealer) who may be able to fit the SMF and save you a few hundred in Labour cost.

Then enjoy the car for hopefully many more years.

As for a VW contribution because it's a known fault, the words fly and pigs spring to mind,

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Sat 4 Jan 2020 10:32
Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose? - Bromptonaut

Agree with others. If the DMF had failed in car's early years then a 'fit for purpose' claim might have stood a chance but not now. Clutch/clutch components in a 5yo car approaching 80k miles are wear/tear. DMFs are an issue for other manufacturers too. I've been in local indy when he's been discussing substitution with an SMF in an HDi Picasso.

VW are pursuing what they will call a policy of continuous improvement where parts that are giving trouble, even if short of point where there is a liability issue, are replaced with a new design.

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Sat 4 Jan 2020 12:50
Volkswagen Polo - At what point is it not fit for purpose? - HGV ~ P Valentine

They are right, cars get updated all the time, when you buy an old car you always run the chance that parts might not be available, as such even a small repair that requires parts can bea nightmare or lead to the car being beyond economical repair.

Try scrap yards for the spare parts and then get a garage to fit it that will only charge for labour.

Good luck mate

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