VW Used Approved Warranty T&C's

throughtheblue

Just researching VW's used approved cover scheme, for a 'maybe' purchase somewhere further down the line.

I know VW Europe state the cambelts on newer cars are 'life long' and don't need replacing, but just inspecting, however VW UK suggest replacing every 5 years. I was unsure if the cambelt would be covered under the 2 year warranty, so this is what is said in the T&C's.

"What is covered?
All electrical and mechanical factory-fitted
components are covered against electrical or
mechanical failure unless listed in the What is
not covered? section."

"What is not covered?
Replacement parts and labour will be paid for
with the following exceptions:
– Routine servicing (all parts replaced
associated with routine servicing are excluded)
– All bodywork, glass (including heated)
and seals
– Wear and perishable items as follows:
– All adjustments, cambelt timing, diesel
timing or cleaning

....."

So in the 'what is not covered' section, it doesn't specifically say the cam belt isn't covered but says 'all adjustments, cambelt timing..". I'm struggling to work out what protection the consumer would have if the cambelt broke during VW's used approved 2 year warranty? Because of VW Europe saying the item has a lifetime warranty, it seems with some newer VW's the cambelt has never been changed, so either you risk it and have minimal protection if it does go wrong, or you buy a used approved car and instantly spend out on a new cambelt to protect yourself.

motorguy

If it fails prematurely you'd be covered.  If its every 5 years recommended by VW UK then it would need to be replaced in line with that schedule

Grey_Critic

Might be cheaper just to fit a new cambelt.

Just because it does not say it is not covered does not mean it is,Your choice

Ectophile

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

throughtheblue

Ectophile said:

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

Is it normal for approved dealers to sell a car with warranty when a component is overdue?

I've never bought from a main dealer before, but would expect if it's an approved used car then that should probably be done.?

Ibrahim5

I adjust the timing on my cambelt until it is perfect. My wife insists on it. After that I just check it whenever I connect my OBD interface.

sheramber

throughtheblue said:

Ectophile said:

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

Is it normal for approved dealers to sell a car with warranty when a component is overdue?

I've never bought from a main dealer before, but would expect if it's an approved used car then that should probably be done.?

selling a  3 year old car with a cambelt that is recommended to be changed after 5 year is not selling a car with  a component that is due to be changed.

throughtheblue

sheramber said:

throughtheblue said:

Ectophile said:

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

Is it normal for approved dealers to sell a car with warranty when a component is overdue?

I've never bought from a main dealer before, but would expect if it's an approved used car then that should probably be done.?

selling a  3 year old car with a cambelt that is recommended to be changed after 5 year is not selling a car with  a component that is due to be changed.

The car is 8 years old...

SaverRate

throughtheblue said:

Ectophile said:

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

Is it normal for approved dealers to sell a car with warranty when a component is overdue?

I've never bought from a main dealer before, but would expect if it's an approved used car then that should probably be done.?

We brought a VW last year that the cambelt replacement was due in September this year. We asked if they would replace the cambelt as it was only a year before it needed replacing, they said no but gave a discounted price for a replacement. We opted not to go ahead and instead changed it this year for a lower cost at a different dealership. 

Ask them if the cambelt has been changed if its 8 years old? But if its 8 years old it will need replacing again in 2 years? 

throughtheblue

SaverRate said:

throughtheblue said:

Ectophile said:

The exclusion talks about cambelt timing.  And in the real World, nobody adjusts the timing on a cambelt except when it's first fitted.

But it probably wouldn't cover the cambelt snapping if it's overdue for replacement under the normal service interval.

Is it normal for approved dealers to sell a car with warranty when a component is overdue?

I've never bought from a main dealer before, but would expect if it's an approved used car then that should probably be done.?

We brought a VW last year that the cambelt replacement was due in September this year. We asked if they would replace the cambelt as it was only a year before it needed replacing, they said no but gave a discounted price for a replacement. We opted not to go ahead and instead changed it this year for a lower cost at a different dealership. 

Ask them if the cambelt has been changed if its 8 years old? But if its 8 years old it will need replacing again in 2 years? 

If it's been replaced on, then great, I don't mind waiting two years to do it. I just don't want to buy something, that would need the cam belt replacing to get the most out of the warranty.

Grumpy_chap

throughtheblue said:

The car is 8 years old...

How do you consider that this potential 8yo VW will be better than your current Citroen?
Much of your other thread about the Citroen is dominated by your concerns over whether or not the cam belt requires changing (at £400 ish).
Get the belt done on the Citroen and then you'll have that concern taken care of and the knowledge of the condition of the car you have.  

Unfortunately, buying an 8yo car is possibly the worst of all worlds - old enough that it may have faults or may have the major service expenses all arriving like buses - expensive enough that you can't cut your losses and walk away if it becomes a money pit.
I think I've always gone for either nearly new cars or for bangernomics cars, never anything in between.