VW Golf Car Door Broken Out of Warranty!

Fussy

OK, thanks everyone. Firstly I have a good relationship with the Service guys at the VW Dealers, after buying two new cars from them almost 3 years ago. So there was no attitude, only a sensible mature discussion about our options and some gentle joshing about it not "sounding like a Golf" when the handle came off in my hands.

I agree that normal wear and tear would have a part to play in this, but also consider that we dont have any children (hence the day to day using of that particular car door handle would be much less), there are no kids tearing up and down the road (the car is parked on a private gated driveway), and yes, it is possible that the car door handle has been tested by potential thieves in those 3 years (we'll never know how many times). Things do wear out I agree, when you use them all the time every day over 3 years, ,like walking on a carpet, turning on a light, wearing out fabric on a seat etc. Indeed, if any of the handles were to break under that excuse then I would have expected the drivers door handle to be the 1st one to go.

However, it is helpful to hear what others might do if they were in similar circumstances, even if any consumer rights I may or may not have would apply, and I appreciate your comments.

Agricolae

Fussy wrote: »

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

I think it would be very difficult to prove that a manufacturing defect or inherent/latent fault caused the handle to fall off. They could just say you've been yanking it too hard over 3.5 years, causing the part to fail prematurely (probably a bit implausible, but still). I can see where you're coming from though.

I think the offer is reasonable and some garages probably would have refused to pay anything at all. It's good you have a good relationship with the one you use.

[Deleted User]

Fussy wrote: »

there was no attitude, only a sensible mature discussion about our options and some gentle joshing about it not "sounding like a Golf" when the handle came off in my hands.

Earlier you said you "plonked the handle down on the desk".

I'd pay the fifty quid, you won't get them to do this repair for free.

Hintza

My missus broke the handle on the Panda this winter and I was at a loss as to how she managed it.

Until I asked "Was the door frozen shut?", that explained it all!

I bought one for a tenner from EBay, mind you getting the lock out was not easy and my chum and the body shop did it with a bit of swearing.

Agricolae

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Earlier you said you "plonked the handle down on the desk".

I'd pay the fifty quid, you won't get them to do this repair for free.

There are a number of ways someone could plonk a handle onto a desk, not all of them aggressive.

custardy

Agricolae wrote: »

There are a number of ways someone could plonk a handle onto a desk, not all of them aggressive.

maybe. however to me it is superfluous to the post and as such added to set a tone.

DCFC79

Get it fitted for the £50, its not a bad offer to only pay 25% of what you were originally asked for.

VSynth

I agree £50 sounds like a good offer.


But at the same time I am wondering how you break a handle off a golf if they are so well engineered.

I had a 20 year old ford with all handles still attached...

Surely a handle breaking off after 3.5 years is indicative of poor quality?

[Deleted User]

VSynth wrote: »

Surely a handle breaking off after 3.5 years is indicative of poor quality?

Hardly incontrovertible evidence.

Fussy

There are some strange people on these forums, fixated with my churlish use of the word 'plonked'.. ah well.

VSynth, you share my thoughts on this matter, especially considering the adverts promote german engineering at its best.

I've decided to accept their offer, based on some of the more sensible views expressed above and also in the Consumer Action Forum... but if anymore fall off.. there's gonna be a whole lot more plonking going on..