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Should I mention my warranty to Volkswagen before they complete my Golf's ABS/ESP repair?
Returning on Saturday from shopping in our 55-reg Golf Plus (46,000 miles), I noticed the ESP light was on. Ironically, on returning home, I opened the Telegraph Motoring section and the very first thing I noticed was your article mentioning just this problem. This is only the last of several faults we have experienced with the Golf Plus, our fifth Volkswagen. We rejected our first Golf Plus due to what was eventually identified as a failed dual mass flywheel, and the same problem occurred on the replacement car.
Most recently, when just out of warranty, the air con compressor failed and now we have the ESP problem. I took the car into a local garage where problem identified as an "ABS hydraulic unit electrical defect". The cost of repair is estimated as being £493.63 for the replacement unit, plus labour and VAT. A total of approx. £820 - certainly less than the typical £1500 mentioned in your article, unless this is a different fault. I have long been an avid reader of your column (I wish I had known more about the MkV Golf faults before we bought ours) and have changed service intervals to 10,000 rather than long life and fortunately invested in an extended warranty. I notified the warranty company of the problem and they authorised me to proceed with the investigation through my local garage, asking the garage to notify them of eventual costs. The garage offered to ask Volkswagen to contribute to the repair (they did meet the non-labour costs of the air con repair) and I now understand that they will meet 30per cent of the total cost. The warranty will thankfully meet the balance and the garage has offered to meet the £50.00 warranty excess.
I am currently driving a new Golf Plus, courtesy of the garage (excellent car) whilst ours is being repaired, so am not out of pocket, but am rather concerned that Volkswagen are taking advantage of the fact of our having an extended warranty on the car to minimise their contribution. I wonder if your advice would be not to mention any extended warranty until Volkswagen's contribution has been ascertained? I should mention that the car was bought through and has been serviced since then by my local garage.
Most recently, when just out of warranty, the air con compressor failed and now we have the ESP problem. I took the car into a local garage where problem identified as an "ABS hydraulic unit electrical defect". The cost of repair is estimated as being £493.63 for the replacement unit, plus labour and VAT. A total of approx. £820 - certainly less than the typical £1500 mentioned in your article, unless this is a different fault. I have long been an avid reader of your column (I wish I had known more about the MkV Golf faults before we bought ours) and have changed service intervals to 10,000 rather than long life and fortunately invested in an extended warranty. I notified the warranty company of the problem and they authorised me to proceed with the investigation through my local garage, asking the garage to notify them of eventual costs. The garage offered to ask Volkswagen to contribute to the repair (they did meet the non-labour costs of the air con repair) and I now understand that they will meet 30per cent of the total cost. The warranty will thankfully meet the balance and the garage has offered to meet the £50.00 warranty excess.
I am currently driving a new Golf Plus, courtesy of the garage (excellent car) whilst ours is being repaired, so am not out of pocket, but am rather concerned that Volkswagen are taking advantage of the fact of our having an extended warranty on the car to minimise their contribution. I wonder if your advice would be not to mention any extended warranty until Volkswagen's contribution has been ascertained? I should mention that the car was bought through and has been serviced since then by my local garage.
Asked on 31 July 2010 by laurelfarmer
Answered by
Honest John
VAG policy is to replace the entire ABS/ESP module, which is why it costs so much. Volkswagen then provided various degrees of subsidy towards the repair. That explains the £820. But happily Volkswagen has been persuaded to contribute more and the warranty company is picking up the rest of the tab. Your email confirms a lot of reader feedback about Volkswagens that contradicts the reputation of the cars.
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