VW Golf Car Door Broken Out of Warranty!

Fussy

Hi All

I have a VW Golf GTTDi, which is just 5 months outside of its 3 years warranty. Last week the rear passenger car door handle completely came away in my hand as I was opening the door.

We took it straight away to the VW dealer we bought the car from (and plonked the handle down on the desk). They patched it back on temporarily, but basically the car needs a brand new car door handle at a total fitted cost of around £200. At the time we stated our 'discontent' at being liable for payment, based on the fact that the handle must have used sub-standard parts and should be built to last longer than 3.5 years.

They contacted their Head Office who have areed to pay 50% of the cost, with another 25% being covered by the garage. Leaving us with the remaining 25% (about £50) of the bill to pay.

Can I ask if that sounds reasonable to this forum, or if we should stand our ground with regards to them paying in total for this repair, which is obviously my preferred option.

Many thanks

Liz

mcjordi

i would say thats fair to be honest..

Oli.s

Sound reasonable, it's probably less that you could buy the parts and fit them yourself for.

Fussy

Thank you for your views.

But is it not reasonable to state that under the Sales of Goods Act, the item is faulty (or not of a satisfactory quality) which would make my repair demand a fair request ?

Thanks

Fosterdog

If the car is 3.5 years old I would say you're very lucky to get 75% off, how do you know that in the time you've had the car nobody has caused the damage? If you've ever parked it in a street or carpark that the public have access to somebody could have tested the door to see if they could break in.

I've seen local kids go up and down streets pulling on car door handles, that may be something kids do in your area too. If you have kids yourself who regularly open the door themselves they may be a bit rough with the handle, especially if they try to open the door before it's unlocked.

Oli.s

If you want to follow that route give it a try, there are loads of threads with advice on how to do it re getting independent reports, showing its a manufacturing fault etc etc. have you checked on vw forums to see if it is a common fault. Can you demonstrate it's not through damage etc?

As long as your happy with the delays in getting it fixed whilst you go through the process, and are happy to put the effort in collating the above then give it a try.

Personally I'd just pay the £50, but if you feel strongly about it then give it a go.

tinkerbell28

I'd say that was fair in all honesty. In 3.5 years door handles would get a fair bit of use. Plus you don't know if it has been damaged.

Seen as you're only paying 25% I'd personally cough up. Rather than have to go through paying that for independent reports, only to be told worst case scenario, it's not an inherent fault but wear and tear or damage.

OlliesDad

Also remember that if you do go down the SOGA route and it is not found to be an inherent fault, the kind offer of 75% can be withdrawn.

ILW

Things wear out.

Slowhand

Bite their hand(le) off before they change their mind!

custardy

Fussy wrote: »

Hi All

I have a VW Golf GTTDi, which is just 5 months outside of its 3 years warranty. Last week the rear passenger car door handle completely came away in my hand as I was opening the door.

We took it straight away to the VW dealer we bought the car from (and plonked the handle down on the desk). They patched it back on temporarily, but basically the car needs a brand new car door handle at a total fitted cost of around £200. At the time we stated our 'discontent' at being liable for payment, based on the fact that the handle must have used sub-standard parts and should be built to last longer than 3.5 years.

They contacted their Head Office who have areed to pay 50% of the cost, with another 25% being covered by the garage. Leaving us with the remaining 25% (about £50) of the bill to pay.

Can I ask if that sounds reasonable to this forum, or if we should stand our ground with regards to them paying in total for this repair, which is obviously my preferred option.

Many thanks

Liz

perhaps a bit less attitude would have got a courtesy repair
As it is VW seem to have done very well by you