VW Dealerships - personal experience
- Thread starter Pure grey 4 motion
- Start date
I’m certain sure it’s common among all franchised dealerships - they are businesses without any real identity. Hiding behind the corporate plc face - a robotic pat drill attitude that can’t do anything without tick boxes. The world we now live in is the same over and over- computer says etc etc.
I have real distrust of main dealers who are in my experience only operating on profit centres. No real friendliness just getting the max amount of money at every opportunity.
I have real distrust of main dealers who are in my experience only operating on profit centres. No real friendliness just getting the max amount of money at every opportunity.
Maybe I've been lucky, but my local VW van centre has been fantastic, not pushy at all. After I had a slight accident when a car reversed into the rear of my van in a car park I went round and they refitted the factory bike that had popped of one side there and then and explained that it was bent and not safe. No charge was made and they emailed me explaining the damage for the insurance claim with the other party.
I’ve made my way down the M5 this morning from Bristol to south Devon I’m not kidding I think every other 20 cars was a transporter of one model or another all modded one way or another.
Not only do we pay a premium for our vans but we also spend our hard earned pennies modding them to our likings.
There ain’t any manufacturers that have the same cult following in the van world as the transporter scene full stop so why VW persist in expecting us to put up with there main dealer woes is baffling. I understand it’s just a sales ploy selling vans is just a numbers thing but a little loyalty goes along way. Thank god for decent vw enthusiastic independent garages. They get my vote and business every time.
Not only do we pay a premium for our vans but we also spend our hard earned pennies modding them to our likings.
There ain’t any manufacturers that have the same cult following in the van world as the transporter scene full stop so why VW persist in expecting us to put up with there main dealer woes is baffling. I understand it’s just a sales ploy selling vans is just a numbers thing but a little loyalty goes along way. Thank god for decent vw enthusiastic independent garages. They get my vote and business every time.
I'm booked in for the first oil change and inspection next week at VW Commercial Centre in Liverpool. I'm roughly the same distance to Preston, so either would do. I'm nervous now after reading this thread, and wondering if anyone here has first hand experience at either of these centres?
I couldn’t agree more - very well put!
I've used VW Liverpool a few times now and never had an issue (touch wood). In again on the 4th Jul for its final service under the All In Plan. Sunny (young lad) is really helpful and Billy (old twt) likes a crack. Try asking Billy for a complimentary air freshener. 
Good old scousers! 
I discovered that at Volvo dealerships the oldest techie is referred to as "the Fossil."
I've took mine to VW Liverpool a few times. Always been really good.
Thanks @Howzat and @JDC, your reassurance was most welcome. Dropped the van off this morning at 10:00, jumped the bus to Liverpool One to spend some more money unnecessarily, had some lunch, and jumped the bus back to pick it up around 14:00. No complaints with the service. Van was washed (outside only, wheels not scrubbed but I can forgive that!)
Just out of curiosity, to see what they would say, I mentioned that the windscreen wipers have made annoying scraping noises since new. The reply was (not necessarily verbatim) that "the OEM VW wipers are carp, best bet is to buy yourself some decent Bosch blades". Nice that they didn't try to flog me some new ones for 60 odd quid and were honest. I shall insteasd follow the forum, and get some twin aeros
You let them wash the vanThanks @Howzat and @JDC, your reassurance was most welcome. Dropped the van off this morning at 10:00, jumped the bus to Liverpool One to spend some more money unnecessarily, had some lunch, and jumped the bus back to pick it up around 14:00. No complaints with the service. Van was washed (outside only, wheels not scrubbed but I can forgive that!)
Just out of curiosity, to see what they would say, I mentioned that the windscreen wipers have made annoying scraping noises since new. The reply was (not necessarily verbatim) that "the OEM VW wipers are carp, best bet is to buy yourself some decent Bosch blades". Nice that they didn't try to flog me some new ones for 60 odd quid and were honest. I shall insteasd follow the forum, and get some twin aeros
Oh no, I'm worried now. Was that a mistake?You let them wash the van
Yes, on a par with asking a 70s radio DJ to babysit.
Funnily enough, my first Saturday job was at the local VW main dealer, washing brand new cars ready for collection. Far from abusing them, I washed them with loving care and pride. In fact, by today's standards, I was probably the abused one - child slavery and subsequent mental elf issues no doubt.... 
My campervan (a LWB 4Motion 204 DSG with 5,500 recorded miles) had its very first service and inspection at a VW Commercial service centre recently.
Having been asked to arrive early for my service appointment (which I did) it was 55 minutes before my van was eventually driven from the customer waiting area into the workshop. It was in there for exactly 32 minutes with a single technician working on it. In that time he carried out the following tasks (I know this as I was able to watch him from where I was waiting):
• Raised vehicle on 4-post lift
• Removed the engine undertray
• Fetched drain tank and positioned it under the engine
• Undid the engine oil drain plug and drained the oil
• Unscrewed oil filter housing and replaced filter element
• Refitted oil filter housing
• Performed an inspection of the suspension components
• Measured and noted wear on all the brake discs and pads
• Checked condition of all flexible brake hoses
• Measured and noted tread depths of all 5 tyres
• Visually inspected the CV boots and drive-line components
• Visually inspected the exhaust system
(all of the above inspections were done whilst the technician was making a video recording).
He then:
• Removed drain tank
• Replaced the engine oil drain plug
• Wiped excess oil around the drain plug area
• Replaced the engine undertray
• Lowered the vehicle to the ground
• Filled the sump with engine oil
• Checked oil level
• Checked coolant level
• Checked brake fluid level
• Checked wash fluid level
• Closed bonnet
• Connected VW diagnostic tool to the diagnostic port
• Reset the service and inspection interval in ECU
• Checked operation of lights, wipers and horn
• Drove van back to customer parking area
• Handed over keys to service receptionist
I then waited a further 15 minutes before the receptionist came over to tell me my van was ready.
The bottom line was the service and inspection cost £400, and, although the van was actually in the service bay for a total of 32 minutes, the technician seemed to do a decent job (he even replaced the engine under-shield properly and took the trouble to put protective covers over the driver’s seat). Sadly though, I was much less impressed by the reception team who mostly came across as disinterested and disengaged. As I waited, I overheard a somewhat concerning conversation where it appeared that the service staff were planning to sell a complete brake change (new pads, discs and a fluid flush) ) to a customer where the technician had said only the fronts really needed doing. I got the distinct feeling that they had revenue targets to meet.
Overall, the experience could at best be described as lacklustre. The warranty expires next year but I can’t see myself using a franchised dealership after that. Instead I’ll be taking it to a local independent VW specialist who has a good reputation and an enthusiasm for VWs.
Having been asked to arrive early for my service appointment (which I did) it was 55 minutes before my van was eventually driven from the customer waiting area into the workshop. It was in there for exactly 32 minutes with a single technician working on it. In that time he carried out the following tasks (I know this as I was able to watch him from where I was waiting):
• Raised vehicle on 4-post lift
• Removed the engine undertray
• Fetched drain tank and positioned it under the engine
• Undid the engine oil drain plug and drained the oil
• Unscrewed oil filter housing and replaced filter element
• Refitted oil filter housing
• Performed an inspection of the suspension components
• Measured and noted wear on all the brake discs and pads
• Checked condition of all flexible brake hoses
• Measured and noted tread depths of all 5 tyres
• Visually inspected the CV boots and drive-line components
• Visually inspected the exhaust system
(all of the above inspections were done whilst the technician was making a video recording).
He then:
• Removed drain tank
• Replaced the engine oil drain plug
• Wiped excess oil around the drain plug area
• Replaced the engine undertray
• Lowered the vehicle to the ground
• Filled the sump with engine oil
• Checked oil level
• Checked coolant level
• Checked brake fluid level
• Checked wash fluid level
• Closed bonnet
• Connected VW diagnostic tool to the diagnostic port
• Reset the service and inspection interval in ECU
• Checked operation of lights, wipers and horn
• Drove van back to customer parking area
• Handed over keys to service receptionist
I then waited a further 15 minutes before the receptionist came over to tell me my van was ready.
The bottom line was the service and inspection cost £400, and, although the van was actually in the service bay for a total of 32 minutes, the technician seemed to do a decent job (he even replaced the engine under-shield properly and took the trouble to put protective covers over the driver’s seat). Sadly though, I was much less impressed by the reception team who mostly came across as disinterested and disengaged. As I waited, I overheard a somewhat concerning conversation where it appeared that the service staff were planning to sell a complete brake change (new pads, discs and a fluid flush) ) to a customer where the technician had said only the fronts really needed doing. I got the distinct feeling that they had revenue targets to meet.
Overall, the experience could at best be described as lacklustre. The warranty expires next year but I can’t see myself using a franchised dealership after that. Instead I’ll be taking it to a local independent VW specialist who has a good reputation and an enthusiasm for VWs.
My local indie was ex main technician for VW heritage.
Had enough of them and started his own garage and built up a really good reputation
My Dad's first job was at a Morris dealer, tidying up and disguising the rust on new cars before they went out to customers.Funnily enough, my first Saturday job was at the local VW main dealer, washing brand new cars ready for collection. Far from abusing them, I washed them with loving care and pride. In fact, by today's standards, I was probably the abused one - child slavery and subsequent mental elf issues no doubt....
Well, I didn't stick around to witness the service, but if I trust their checklist and invoice, that pretty much sums up what I got (no more or less than I expected). Actually, according to the break down, I also got a new "screw" which I presume must be the drain plug (£4.95
) I also got a bit of "1970s radio DJ" molestation thrown in . 110hp manual with 7,000 miles, first oil change / inspection: £240. Is the service more expensive for a 204 DSG 4motion, or do the costs vary that much from one franchise to another?Similar threads
