Unfortunately my experience is common sense is not that common where VW dealers are concerned.
I had both crank case oil seals replaced, this was found after my alternator failed dramatically, ( nearly caught fire).
I subsequently asked for a full health check on the van.
The van had been serviced at the same dealer from new and they had the van in far too regularly for all manner of warranty works, despite this both leaking seals had previously been missed.
i enquired what was involved in replacing both engine oils seals.
I was told that they would drop the sum, Jack the engine up To allow the gear box to be disconnect, which would also involve replacing the engine oil.
I asked (fortunately) if they were going to replace the oil filter as part of the works, uhh No was the answer!
I pointed out that it is good practice to replace oil filter when replacing engine oil, particularly as it is a very cheap & easy consumable part to replace Whilst doing the oil seals. The dealer reluctantly agreed.
I asked the dealer to specifically replace the oil filter & offered to pay the £10 for a new oil filter, when I picked the van up I was told they replaced the filter and had reset the service counter FOC.
During the discussion regarding the oil seal works, ( Bearing in mind that the alternator had just failed which could have an impact on the timing belt) i asked if the dealer would be replacing the timing belt, pointing out that they would have the van fully stripped down & the potential damage that the failed alternator may have done to the existing timing belt via excess heat and oil contamination, so replacing the timing belt would make sense ?
The dealer said they would look at this when the van was stripped down and change it if required,
I would have been happy to pay for a new timing belt (told them that before the warranty works were carried out), they chose not to replace the timing belt , you guessed it, they visually inspected the belt and deemed it OK to refit, so they fitted the original belt!
IMO Using a common sense approach, particularly one where the customer may actually benefit from the original failure does not earn VW dealers any revenue, it certainly does not extended to doing the right thing by the customer by potentially limiting the customers future risk & cost. Nor does it consider subsequently replacing the timing belt shortly after they had the van in bits (which would have been common sense / good practice / greener, for the timing belt to be replaced at that time).
IMO VW dealers deliberately refit the old belt because they think they can catch the customer for the full replacement cost at a later date.
incidentally the Dealer quoted : Jan 2023 £799 inc Vat, cam belt only additional £398 inc Vat for water pump replacement if done at the same time as the timing belt
Same work using OEM parts via an approved VW Indi, who will update the electronic service record: £400 cam belt Inc Vat / £160 inc Vat Water pump
the VW dealer declined to price match the identical quote
where do you think my future business will go ?
