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VW Passat 2007 2L Diesel - Brake caliper replacement cost for VW Passat - jangochi

My VW Passat wouldn't move due to 'parking brake fault' and had to tow it to authorised dealer in Southampton(Peter Cooper) as normal garages were not able to decipher the error code using their devices. I could hear the motor rev on one of the sides not on the other. They say that brake calipers needs to be replaced and that will cost around £600! Is this reasonable? I am suspicious as they charged me around £500 for cam belt replacement just a few weeks ago(later realised that other VW authrosied guys in Basingstoke quoted £380 for the same work! ). I would like to know what you guys think.

Thanks

Edited by jangochi on 09/07/2012 at 16:42

VW Passat 2007 2L Diesel - Brake caliper replacement cost for VW Passat - Armitage Shanks {p}

Partsprices from here http://www.eurocarparts.com

VW Passat 2007 2L Diesel - Brake caliper replacement cost for VW Passat - dieselnut

It's not an unknown problem on the Passat, usually caused by the plastic cover over the caliper electrics having cracked & let in water & carp. Can usually be fixed DIY for £0 by dismantleling, cleaning & greasing, then repairing the cracked casing. But you are stuck between a rock & a hard place, immovable car stuck in the dealers. I belive the electrical mechanism that bolts to the back of the caliper & usually where the fault lies isn't available separately, so have to pay for the complete caliper assembly.