Mechanics that work for dealerships or those in the trade are also aware.

No, they aren't. They only see the broken ones! Since VAG's market share is about 10 times the size of Honda's you'd expect an indie mechanic to see about 10 times as many broken VAGs as Hondas. Unfortunately, he might well be tempted to conclude, quite erroneoneously, that VAGs are ten times less reliable.

You see the same phenonemon with supermarket/branded fuel. Some mechanics are convinced that because 90% of the broken cars they see run on supermarket fuel, that supermarket fuel is responsible for engine breakdowns. It isn't. It just reflects the market share of supermarket fuel.

My local indie runs a VAG. So do armies of taxi drivers.

I agree that VAG's response to some of their failures has been arrogant and disappoointing, but it doesn't condemn all ltheir cars to pariah status.

Incidentally, I don't agree that the injector fault constituted a major safety hazard. At least no more than a failed windscreen wiper motor or a snapped timing belt/chain.

Edited by unthrottled on 26/03/2012 at 23:55

Electric faults seem to be more common now according to them

That applies to all car makers! Don't forget that diesels remained all mechanical until much later than petrol engines.Lots of old timers still get dewy eyed about the PSA XUD 1.9 IDI. Yes, it was simple, but you wouldn't want one now.

Simple mechanical braking systems are a thing of the past too. Now you have to have anti-idiot devices like ABS and ESP fitted. Of course more electronic failures are going to occur.

I don't deny that Toyota's production techniques are still the best in the world. But their cars are quite pricey and a bit uninspiring.

Same with Honda and their VTEC engine. It may be refined and reliable, but in a heavy car it is gutless and the 7000 RPM capability is all but useless. A VAG TDI is just much nicer to drive.

Hilux has gone upmarket, a small, rugged no frills work horse would have been a welcome addition.

It's bigger than the old model, but apart from Invincible spec is still available as a quite basic truck in HL2 spec with an in between (which i shall have if i get another, too many gizmos on Invincible now) HL3, also available as a single and extra cab in low spec.

Look to the right to see the latest pick up offering coming from Great Wall, the Steed, there's a basic pick up for you, hope its better than Tata's offering was.

Edited by gordonbennet on 27/03/2012 at 02:08

Anorak. Anorak. Anorak.

My in-laws both buy VAG and nothing else. Guess it's badge for my F-i-L and my M-i-L's petrol Golf has been running 9 years now and still looks new. Runs lovely.