Brand new VW warranty issues.

BS20

Hi,

I'm posting as I've had an issue with a brand new 2017 Volkswagen we got on hire purchase, we're just a little confused on our rights on the matter.

So, we bought this Tiguan on the 27th October 2017, brand new, 120 miles on the clock, very pretty and we were very happy with our purchase. It worked perfectly up till the the 17th December which was when we went to thailand for 3 weeks leaving the car at home. Fast forward 3 weeks, we get back and the car suddenly has a juddering whilst breaking. We were a little concerned so we took it in to the VW dealership to get it checked. The car at this point has 2000 miles on the clock and we've owned it about 2 and a half months.

They call us telling us a brake disc needs replacing and that they've corroded and that the warranty won't cover it. They informed us that we'll need to pay £270 to repair as it's "fair wear and tear".

Now honestly, we were a bit shocked. Seeing as this car is brand spanking new. And we just can't see how "fair wear and tear" can happen within 2 months of purchase.

Can anyone shed any light on what we can do on this matter? Honestly I'm pretty annoyed that this has happened with a brand new car.

If any more information is needed from me please let me know and I'll supply what's needed.

Thanks.

neilmcl

I'd be inclined to contact VW directly and explain the situation. I can't see how discs would corrode so badly under normal conditions within a couple of months of use to render them unusable. Normally rust deposits that build up get worn away during braking, if you have the car I'd try taking it out on a run and try some heavy braking, this may clean the discs.

AdrianC

You parked the car up for three weeks, unused, in winter - and are surprised that corrosion has formed on the brake discs during this time?

wgl2014

Brake discs will corrode, was the car left after being driven on some freshly gritted roads and then left? If so you have probably been advised correctly.

However if it had been cleaned and left I wouldn't expect the discs to self destruct after a few weeks, as already suggested surface rust should wear off with normal braking.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

AdrianC wrote: »

You parked the car up for three weeks, unused, in winter - and are surprised that corrosion has formed on the brake discs during this time?

Surface corrosion yes, but sufficient to cause a disc to need replacing?

These things sit in fields for years before selling at times.

I'd go out and do a few hard stops to clean the discs up.

BS20

Hey ladies and gents, cheers for your replies,

So yes, it was parked for 3 weeks, just like our 15 year old Nissan that is absolutely fine, as well as my 99 r6 which is fine, I just can't see how this car would be any different. Especially with its age.

We've done a good few hundred miles since being back, before we put it in to our VW dealership, but still the issue remained.

Surely these vehicles can sit for a few weeks without self distracting, like someone said this can is a 17 plate, so must have been sitting somewhere until we bought it in October?

Thanks again.

EssexExile

AdrianC wrote: »

You parked the car up for three weeks, unused, in winter - and are surprised that corrosion has formed on the brake discs during this time?

Good grief! I often leave vehicles for longer than that with no problems.

CardinalWolsey

IanMSpencer wrote: »

These things sit in fields for years before selling at times.

OP - can you establish a build date for the vehicle? It may have been brand new, but if it has been stored for a considerable time at a "depot", then perhaps this could have been a contributing factor.

I'd still be contacting VW though - that soon after initial registration is not fair wear and tear.

BS20

Yeah I'm sure I could find a build date somewhere with a little digging, I'm going back in to VW tomorrow, I guess I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to say to them.

Any ideas what I should be asking?

Cheers.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

My starting point is: "Given that this car has done 2000 miles, are you seriously saying that the quality of the materials is so poor that it cannot withstand normal usage?"

You should establish whether that is just the dealer or whether VW have pronounced that it is their position.

Your position is clear, the discs are clearly not of satisfactory quality if they cannot withstand the mild winters in the UK. Sitting for 3 weeks is quite normal usage - many people go away for several weeks and leave cars in car parks for that time. It may vary where the OP is, but there hasn't been much gritting going on this winter - the snow before Christmas didn't cause much issue and there hasn't been a massive build up of grit this year.

t33

Can only say that I regularly leave a car parked for 2-4 weeks when on holiday etc. Have done that with various cars, e.g. a 15 year old car, an almost brand new one. Never had a problem.