Newish Car Problem

DE_612183

Not sure if in the right thread - but hear goes.

Bought a Audi A1 in November last year from a Audi Franchise - it had 2500 on the clock and was six months old.

It's now developed a knocking noise which I thought was to do with the Cat or Exhaust - it's intermittent.

Took it into Audi ( they said the couldn't replicate it ) but said they had had something similar ( I supplied a recording of the noise ) and they stated it could be something to do with "air coming back through the secondary air pump and back into the Turbo" - This didn't make any sense and the car is going back in for them to keep it for a couple of days in a week or so.

What worried me was the guy said that they had seen this once before, and when they approach Audi Technical services they were told it's not a fault but expected behaviour - I did point out that if it was expected behaviour why have they only seen one before.

I feel like I'm gearing myself up for a battle with the franchise who are just going to stonewall me with "Audi Technical Services say..."

If this is the case - what should I do?
Any advice suggestions most welcome.

I'd like to say - Take the car back and pay of the finance but I'm doubtful that's an option

AdrianC

Which engine? The A1 is on the same platform and mechanicals as the Polo and various other VAG small hatches, so it's entirely likely to be an issue shared with them.

You've had the car a year - so it's up to you to prove there's an inherent fault that was present at purchase, and even then there's no automatic right of rejection. Right now, AIUI, they haven't even laid a spanner on it, just heard an audio recording of the sound.

Bigphil1474

If it was me, I'd find a local reliable Indy garage to see if they can diagnose the issue, then you are more informed to go back to Audi. You might have to pay them a bit of labour time, but could save you int he long run.

DonnySaver

Try posting this question on Audi-Sport.net forums. Lots of friendly and knowledgable people on there that might be able to advise you.

AdrianC

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

If it was me, I'd find a local reliable Indy garage to see if they can diagnose the issue, then you are more informed to go back to Audi. You might have to pay them a bit of labour time, but could save you int he long run.

If it's an 18mo car, it's under manufacturer warranty.

If it is a niche edge-case problem in a complex emission system on a car that new, then it's entirely likely even marque specialists won't have come across it.

m0bov

Try another dealer, get on forums and ask other owners of the same issue? Honest John forum? audi forums?
Pay for independent report from a VAG specialist.
Ask to test drive another car with the same engine/year.

DE_612183

AdrianC wrote: »

Which engine? The A1 is on the same platform and mechanicals as the Polo and various other VAG small hatches, so it's entirely likely to be an issue shared with them.

You've had the car a year - so it's up to you to prove there's an inherent fault that was present at purchase, and even then there's no automatic right of rejection. Right now, AIUI, they haven't even laid a spanner on it, just heard an audio recording of the sound.

It's an A1 1.0 tsfi

Audi had it for a whole day but couldn't replicate the sound - I guess when they do take it in, they may find an issue which is repairable - I don't mind paying for a repair ( to a certain extent ) what I'm not happy is with them saying there's nothing wrong

Penelopa.Pitstop

Why would you want to pay for warranty repair?

DE_612183

Penelopa.Pitstop wrote: »

Why would you want to pay for warranty repair?

If Audi say it's not covered by the warranty then as a last resort I guess i may pay - I'd prefer not to - but anything is better than having the noise...

AdrianC

If the noise is a fault, then the warranty will pay.
If the noise is not a fault, but something inherent, then paying won't make it go away. You'd need to change the car for something else.

If it only occurs very infrequently, then you may be best trying to figure out in what circumstances it occurs, so that you can document it and try to figure out if it's a fault or something relating to your usage.

DE_612183

AdrianC wrote: »

If the noise is a fault, then the warranty will pay.
If the noise is not a fault, but something inherent, then paying won't make it go away. You'd need to change the car for something else.

If it only occurs very infrequently, then you may be best trying to figure out in what circumstances it occurs, so that you can document it and try to figure out if it's a fault or something relating to your usage.

Yes, I agree - but if it's only affecting 1 in 1000 cars - how can it not be a fault? And how can I convince Audi to do something about it?