Software Download for My New Car

mogedwards

This may not be the place for this. Although I am genuinely asking for advice, I also want to have a rant.

I have recently bought a new VW Touran and would like to have a towbar fitted. I have had a quote from Indespension who are a specialist towbar fitting company and I am happy with the price. However, they say I need a software download from VW. I phoned them expecting to be told it would cost about £20. I was astounded to be told it would cost £98 + VAT.

Here's the question - Is it essential to have a software download?

Here's the rant. They justified the price by saying the download takes 1 hour.

O.K. but I am sure the technician won't be standing there for an hour. He / she will be working on other jobs during that time. Shouldn't I just pay for the time it takes to connect the vehicle, disconnect it and test it? In fact, would it be legal for them to charge the full hour?

Conor_3

It's not necessary for the update but it will remap the engine management to give better towing performance.

And yes, it is legal for them to charge an hour. You'll find that they have a policy of 1hr minimum charge.

fwor

Have you tried contacting the VW dealer that sold it to you?

If the Touran was sold to you as being suitable for use as a tow car, then it seems that it's not fully fit for (that) purpose without the software update, and you may be able to persuade them to do it for no extra charge.

[Edit: just realised that it probably was the VW dealer that you were referring to and not Indespension. However, the reasoning still applies, and they want your goodwill - because they want you to get it serviced there every year!]

mogedwards

Thanks Connor. I wasn't sure if it was essential. As I will only be doing a limited amount of towing I might just have the towbar fitted without the software update.

'fwor', I didn't specify I wanted it as a tow car. I did get a discount of nearly £4K from the dealer, so I am not sure how keen they will be to give me something free, but I might try.