Under SOGAT, past abuse by a previous owner means the garage is liable to repair it foc.

With your miles and time, it would be a brave garage which could prove driver error.

INSIST that when it is removed, the clutch is photographed in situ before removeal and marked. This way there can be no doubt it is the clutch they thhen subsequently show you - if they claim it's abuse.

Put it in writing -politely of course..

Great.

Well done.

Thanks for letting us know.

Edited by madf on 08/10/2012 at 17:06

The dealer where you have taken the garage to is quite correct.

Clutches and 'friction materials' are usually specifically excluded from warranties. Therefore it SHOULD be entirely up to you to get the selling dealership to repair, as the car was 'not fit for purpose'.

I suggest you go and have a complete read of your warranty document, checking as to what is (and is not) covered before blaming the garage where the car is at currently for 'not following procedure'.

In fact, in a couple of minute's of work, I found VWs 'approved used' warranty document online. Page 13 specifically excludes 'clutch preesure plates, bearings and friction materials'.

So, back it onto to the selling dealer for repair.

Re gear selection became impossible.

This is possibly not the friction material failing (that doesn't make gear selection difficult) but the concentric slave cylinder usually fitted to 6 speed 2.0 diesel (fitted inside bellhousing not on top as per the 5 speed box). When it fails it's a bit like not pushing the pedal far enough down or eventually not down at all (this does make gear selection difficult). It also usually covers the clutch internals in brake/clutch fluid - not good.

Any "fluid" under the bellhousing?

If it is this then it should be covered by the warranty

PS shouldn't this be in technical?

Edited by Big John on 06/02/2016 at 20:07