Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Is £655 a fair price to repair my Volkswagen Passat's faulty air conditioning clutch?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Is £655 a fair price to repair my Volkswagen Passat's faulty air conditioning clutch?

A high pitched whine from the lower front of the engine compartment of my 2005 Passat Highline 2.0 TDi (77,000 miles) was diagnosed by my Volkswagen dealer as a faulty air conditioning compressor, in which the clutch has gone, apparently. Certainly the noise stops when air conditioning is turned off, so this is fair enough. The quote for replacing the compressor is £655 including £315 for the replacement unit. Is this a reasonable charge or should I go to an air conditioning specialist?

Asked on 12 August 2010 by tmorris

Answered by Honest John
Why is he quoting to replace the compressor when only the compressor clutch has failed? A new clutch is a £100 job.
Similar questions
I bought an approved used MINI Cooper D 10 months ago with 53k miles on it. The dealer did not provide a service book at the time but promised to send me a service book, fully stamped, shortly. After 8...
The clutch in my partner's C4 Picasso is screaming like a Banshee when depressed. My local independent garage guy tells me the clutch needs replacing and it would be foolish not to change the dual mass...
I am seeking some help and guidance on a matter relating to my mother's Volkswagen Up which she purchased brand new from Volkswagen Liverpool in September 2012 and in which she has travelled a mere 1604...
Related models
Spacious and comfortable. Wide range of engines. Big, boot with lockable seatbacks. Generally better from May 2008 onwards.