Non OEM parts fitted by VW dealership

[Empi]

I’ve just had the brakes changed at my local dealership and having reviewed the receipt it seems that they have fitted non oem parts. The dealership / vw website says that they only fit genuine vw parts and nothing was mentioned about the use of non genuine components at the time of agreeing to the work or subsequently. The quoted cost was also the same as previous quotes where I was told that they use oem components. There is a significant difference in cost for compatible (ferodo for info) vs oem, and I’m assuming also a quality difference so I’m unsure if it is reasonable for me to complain.

Any thoughts?
(Aside from regret that I should have fitted them myself!)

 

[MyOtherCarIsA]

What model? There's a shortage of OEM brake pads for T6.1s at the moment. They might not have been able to get hold of them. I would expect them to reflect the lower part price in the bill though.

 

[MK2Golf24v]

What actual evidence do you have they are not OEM?

VW themselves don’t make brake pads…..

 

[Empi]

What model? There's a shortage of OEM brake pads for T6.1s at the moment. They might not have been able to get hold of them. I would expect them to reflect the lower part price in the bill though.

It’s a T6

 

[Empi]

What actual evidence do you have they are not OEM?

VW themselves don’t make brake pads…..

If they are oem my understanding is that they would have a vw part number. These do not as referenced on the receipt.

 

[Dannyb6467]

I know it's not the point but some non OEM are better and more expensive than OEM. I just had Brembo fitted as OEM wasn't available and I have to say I won't be using OEM again.....

 

[MyOtherCarIsA]

Happy Brembo customer of 20 years here. Ferodo, as fitted to the OP's van, are also decent quality.

@Empi I wouldn't assume they're not OEM just because there's no part number on your receipt - have you asked the dealership what they fitted?

 

[Empi]

Apparently the oem parts have been on back order for 6 months so sounds similar to the T6.1 comments previously. They confirmed that they aren’t oem but are of good quality. I queried with them why the fitment of alternative parts isn’t brought to the customers attention especially regarding the cost difference (non oem are half the price charged) and they are going to get back to me.

On a side note I was amused by the number of times messages to the effect of ‘we only fit genuine vw parts’ are played on the hold music while waiting to be connected.

 

[Hilly64]

last year i did all 4 corners on my old T5 with new pads and disks, i picked up genuine VW parts, all properly packaged with part numbers, for less than quality non OEM which surprised me. I was impressed with the improvement over the non OEM they replaced but I would guess these would of been cheap replacements and not the likes of Bremen’s etc

point being I would guess their decisions would not necessarily be price driven but I do understand your annoyance and at least they should of had a discussion and given an explanation

 

[Empi]

I’m pleased to report a satisfactory resolution to this following a call with the workshop. I’ve been offered a refund for the difference in cost for the parts and an explanation for why this occurred (complete lack of vw parts). Thanks for the opinions expressed.

 

[DXX]

I think many different manufacture dealerships are on the same money making scam.
My daughter had a Vauxhall and had been quoted for OEM parts, I wandered into the workshop uninvited and found the mechanic fitting pattern parts.