Extended test drive just under 4 hours for intermittent starting issue

[bobby69]

As per title van at vw dealer for intermittent starting fault is a 4 hr extended test drive normal oh and 40 minutes of that parked in what looked like a supermarket car park

 

[DXX]

They’d run out of milk in the workshop, I guess you had a tracker on it?

 

[Bertrum]

As per title van at vw dealer for intermittent starting fault is a 4 hr extended test drive normal oh and 40 minutes of that parked in what looked like a supermarket car park

Doesn’t sound legit more of an adventure than diagnostic outing. Did they use all your fuel or replace it?

 

[Sasquatch]

If they weren't specifically test driving it as agreed, and stopping at the bookies is hadly part of what a reasonabke person would consider part of a test drive, then they were taking it without owners consent, a criminal offence, and deserve to feel the cold steel of handcuffs on their oil stained wrists.

Actually arrested a chap once for exactly this, except he used a customers car for a 200 mile jolly to collect some parts. He'd tried to cover his tracks, topped up the fuel and reset the trip meter, but overtaking the cars owner on the motorway ( owner was in his wife's car) kind of gave the game away. An ANPR check did the rest.

Aside from which, how does a 4 hour test drive help with reproducing a starting issue?

 

[JDC]

Could be worse. My lad had a new engine in his Discovery and the extended test drive meant the mechanic could take it home and use it for 7 days including weekends. Wouldn't have know unless I hadn't spotted it going to work one morning. I thought an extended test drive would be a drive for an hour or 2 to ensure no problems but not with Stoneacre. To top it off it came back damaged and McDonald's wrappers in the car. It wasn't his as he wouldn't let the kids eat in the car. Obviously the garage denied everything.

 

[bobby69]

I thought if funny as I would keep going out periodically and starting it and didn’t think joy riding around the Peak District would sort out the starting problem as for the fuel I had just filled it up got it back 3/4

 

[bobby69]

Yes dash cam alerted me when it goes over 30 miles from my home address i thought at first it had been stolen then looked at the footage and could see who was driving from the cabin camera

 

[Bertrum]

I thought if funny as I would keep going out periodically and starting it and didn’t think joy riding around the Peak District would sort out the starting problem as for the fuel I had just filled it up got it back 3/4

Surely main dealership would be able to see catalogued data of fault and not reallyneed to take your vehicle for an extended jolly on your coin. Just a thought.

 

[bobby69]

I was told the starting issue was not showing a fault code so just gave me van back without mending it

 

[DXX]

Surely if it’s a starter problem the test is to start it as many times as possible without damaging the starter motor or battery.
Driving around the countryside and stopping at supermarket probably created just 3 starts.

 

[bobby69]

Spoke to the service manager he’s been on annual leave while my vans been in he dismissed this as just a extended road test
I did ask him how awould the technician find a starting fault on a extended test drive
He told me technicians don’t do extended test drives it was carried out by one of there drivers