First service - 15 extra miles added to clock

[RedRobin]

I'm afraid that it does sound to me from the general tone of the posts on this subject that many here are somewhat too precious about their cars and don't accept how self-protective the Mk5 GTI systems are, especially the DSG version. Others seem concerned about a little extra mileage which they haven't driven themselves.

when your car comes back from the dealers full of light scratching because they washed it with a brush and you find from the trip computer that your car has averaged around 20mpg (bearing in my mind mine's a diesel!) over a 5 mile test route when it was in for a replacement window regulator you naturally become very protective of your car!!

....Then specifically ask that your car is not washed - Most garages don't have such a careful attitude about detailing and use brushes/sponges and can't be reasonably expected to take 2 hours just to wash your car - They employ a low paid worker.

So what if your car averaged 20 mpg over 5 miles. A short journey always returns low mpg. What actual harm do you think has been done?

Yes, I can see how a window thingy doesn't need a test drive. My VW dealer wouldn't have spent time driving after such a job.

[JC]

count yasens lucky, i DIDNT even get a me car back from a garage once   









But did get a Nice settlement figure and BIG discount on a replacement 

[RedRobin]

I just had my first service and reported a rattle in the dash. Getting the car back four hours later I was surprised to see the car had been taken for 15 miles. I realise they'd want to test the rattle had been fixed, but isn't 15 miles excessive? Also mpg was 16mpg... :/

On the positive side, the rattle seems to be fixed!

....15 miles isn't excessive at all. That's only 7.5 miles out and what kind of roads are in the immediate vicinity of your dealer to allow them a proper assessment. Also rattles etc are often random and may not instantly appear. I'd say that 15 miles is just right and gives your car the opportunity to rattle again if it's going to.

[Rhyso]

....Then specifically ask that your car is not washed - Most garages don't have such a careful attitude about detailing and use brushes/sponges and can't be reasonably expected to take 2 hours just to wash your car - They employ a low paid worker.

So what if your car averaged 20 mpg over 5 miles. A short journey always returns low mpg. What actual harm do you think has been done?

Yes, I can see how a window thingy doesn't need a test drive. My VW dealer wouldn't have spent time driving after such a job.

which is what i do now IF it ever goes near a dealers...........

so what!!??? its the fact that after replacing the window regulator it was driven at all!! the most it should have moved would be the 100 yards from the workshop back to the customer car park not thrashed around the block.  As for actual harm, possibly little, but they've added wear and tear to my car, probably thrashed it from cold and they used my fuel  

and for a diesel car to return such low MPG over 5 miles you either have to be stuck in traffic or travelling at well above the speed limit

[ifti]

Good point, they may have stole some of your fuel!

Im getting more and more to add before I hand the key over for my first service next month! lol
The list so far is......

1. Get them to come and check round my car for any marks etc BEFORE I hand the keys over, so they know that any extra damage is down to them.
2. Get them to record the milleage, and the level of fuel.
3. Ask them whether they will be using fuel, and if so, what for.
4. Ask how long it should take fo rthe service to be done.

5. Sit there and wait for my car, and ensure I dont see it drive out of the dealership!! lol


Ive been told that before any work/service, they are supposed to come out and inspect the car for any marks etc. Apparently they have a sheet they mark and current damage etc on. They just cant be bothered to do it I guess.
That way, if you notice any extra marks/scratches on the car when you get it back, there is no dispute as to whose at fault.

Maybe Im going a bit over the top, but I wont have the piss taken out of me when I go to the dealers and pay for a service.

....OTT. They must love it when you turn up with an appointment!

A workshop is obliged to drive and therefore satisfy themselves that the car is in safe working order before handing it back to you. If you insist on them not test driving your car you can probably expect to be asked to sign a disclaimer.

There needs to be trust in any relationship (working or otherwise). Mistrust breeds mistrust - You're starting off with a very negative attitude (based on the words of your post).

Its different for you since you take your car to somewhere where you know and trust the mechanics. Im going to the dealer for the first time, and dont want some mechanic Ive never spoken to before thrashing my car around, regardless of whether it needs to be thrashed. If it needs a hard drive, I'll do it myself, and claim anything from the warranty if need be!
Ive paid for this car to drive it myself, not fo rthem to thrash about when I trust them with a service.

I see no wrong doing in asking them to come out and check over my car - in fact they are supposed to do this anyway, they just dont bother.
The way I see it is if they know you wil spot out the little faults, then they are more likely to take care of the car to avoid having to do any more unnecessary work to it.

[ifti]

I just had my first service and reported a rattle in the dash. Getting the car back four hours later I was surprised to see the car had been taken for 15 miles. I realise they'd want to test the rattle had been fixed, but isn't 15 miles excessive? Also mpg was 16mpg... :/

On the positive side, the rattle seems to be fixed!

....15 miles isn't excessive at all. That's only 7.5 miles out and what kind of roads are in the immediate vicinity of your dealer to allow them a proper assessment. Also rattles etc are often random and may not instantly appear. I'd say that 15 miles is just right and gives your car the opportunity to rattle again if it's going to.

EDIT: Apologies - didnt realise the OP had reported a dash rattle as well - I thought it was just the 1st service!

Also, I do agree with you when it comes to the low mpg. Low mpg doesnt always mean the car has been thrashed - it could just mean the car has been taken through a built up area or somet.

Its the quarter of a tank of missing fuel I would be concerned about though!

[ub7rm]

It had the aircon serviced including the anti bacterial treatment stuff so it would have been sitting there for a good while a/c on idleing as it was circulated round the system.  From what I've seen before the valeters just leave them all running while they move various cars around and wash them.  I'm sure it would have been sitting running for some part of the service / changing the brake fluid part / while the mechanic had his tea etc.

They obviously took it out for a test run and its a built up area so all adds up.  Its quite a thirsty beast at idle esp with the a/c on.  I'm really not THAT bothered to be honest but I'm sure some of the fuel consumption could have been avoided.

I really doubt they steal the petrol, the theft happens with the invoice 

[ifti]

Hmm........that does make sense TBH....

[Alexander]

definately a good idea to agree there is no marks on the car before you hand over the keys. My brother took his clio to the dealer albeit renault and it came back with a massive dent in the door. They refused to accept any blame and claimed it was there when handed over. When my brother refused to accept this they said that he should have got them to check it before giving them the keys!!!!!!

[ub7rm]

I can see Reds point in that it immediately sets the 'relationship' off on a bad footing and mutual mistrust cant be good but sorry to say I have heard all to often of people coming back to find additional scratches / dents / scuffed wheels etc.  No one is going to care as much about your car as you do and expecially not a place that sees the same sorts of cars, day in day out and, to them, are not special.  Shouldn't be that way but its the reality and I can understand why people like to make sure they are covered in the event things go wrong.

If my dealer had a booking in system where the car was checked over in and out like hire cars I would be happy with that but personally I would feel asking them to come out and go over it would immediately create the assumption that I don't trust them which I generally don't like doing.  I've been fortunate enough not to have any issue with any damage with any car I've put into a garage, this attitude may change if it ever is damaged.

Thinking about it, it is strange dealers don't have an in / out inspection.  It would protect them from customers who might want to take advantage of THEM...