POTHOLE DAMAGE - REPAIR COSTS

[Sniffer]

I hit a large pothole and recently noticed that my steering wheel was slightly off centre, so I asked my local dealership, yesterday, to check this when the car was in for its first oil service.

They didn't do the additional work I requested because they said they didn't have time, and I've got to book it in again. But, they added that the initial assessment (4 wheel alignment check) will cost me £299 and, if any repair work is required, it will cost significantly more. Apparently, if the steering/tracking needs adjustment, then the Adaptive Cruise Control etc also needs recalibrating, and that's another £300 or so. They didn't say exactly how much all this is likely to cost but I suspect it won't be cheap.

It seems, gone are the days when your local tyre dealer could sort out your tracking in 15 mins, for just a few quid in cash! BTW, I do know that some of the larger, nationwide tyre dealers claim they can do specialist 4 wheel alignment and cruise recalibration work but I'd be rather wary of using one of them. On the plus side, I suppose they'd be significantly cheaper than a VW main dealer.

 Has anyone else encountered similar pothole related issues and, if so, what was the outcome?

[Adam T7]

I had 4 wheel alignment done when the front arms were changed - cost £66.00. Mines a 7.5 with ACC but I’m sure the process is not significantly different?
Done with local GTI specialist.

[Watts]

I had 4 wheel alignment done when the front arms were changed - cost £66.00. Mines a 7.5 with ACC but I’m sure the process is not significantly different?
Done with local GTI specialist.

Same here. £299 is outrageous. If a decent tyre centre couldn't do alignment on cars with radar they would soon go out of business, loads of cars have it now. I also reckon the chances of a dealer doing it in-house is unlikely, they probably take it elsewhere anyway.

[Carlosfandango]

The adaptive cruise will not need recalibrating after a simple 4 wheel alignment, take it to an independent local tyre place that has a Hunter alignment machine, will cost around £100 for 4 wheel or less for two wheel. unless there is a good reason, I only have the two wheel alignment if I ever need it doing, as they will nearly always knock the other two out when they do the other ones, and in the process of aligning the 2 you’ve paid for, have to put all 4 back into alignment.

[davo245]

I hit a large pothole and recently noticed that my steering wheel was slightly off centre, so I asked my local dealership, yesterday, to check this when the car was in for its first oil service.

They didn't do the additional work I requested because they said they didn't have time, and I've got to book it in again. But, they added that the initial assessment (4 wheel alignment check) will cost me £299 and, if any repair work is required, it will cost significantly more. Apparently, if the steering/tracking needs adjustment, then the Adaptive Cruise Control etc also needs recalibrating, and that's another £300 or so. They didn't say exactly how much all this is likely to cost but I suspect it won't be cheap.

It seems, gone are the days when your local tyre dealer could sort out your tracking in 15 mins, for just a few quid in cash! BTW, I do know that some of the larger, nationwide tyre dealers claim they can do specialist 4 wheel alignment and cruise recalibration work but I'd be rather wary of using one of them. On the plus side, I suppose they'd be significantly cheaper than a VW main dealer.

 Has anyone else encountered similar pothole related issues and, if so, what was the outcome?

299 is the most ridiculous price i have ever heard as said if you pay over 100 you are being ripped off you wilont need any radar calibration either after 4 wheel alignment.

Had it don on my previous 7.5 performance and cost 77 all in.

Would also use another dealer in future as that one is clearly useless rip off merchant.

They don't do it on site either just take it to some one else and pay possibly 40 quid as they have a contract with tyre place then charge tlypu 299!

Nice bit of buisiness that is.

Even if they were doing it it takes half hour si even there hourly rate can't be that much!

[joe6]

Many tyre dealers have free alignment checks but beware the cost if changes are required! As already said 4 wheel alignment is about £100 or less and can be a bit fiddly as changing front or rear usually means resetting the other axle and make sure they use the correct car mark (eg mk8) and version (eg clubsport etc). Resetting ACC etc is not required for simple wheel alignment changes. The tolerance on these are larger than any changes caused by wheel alignment.

[P6GTD]

ATS Euromaster did a free check for me and showed the measurements to me on a screen. Fortunately my alignment was still almost perfect but I’m sure they said worst adjustments would be around £80.
I get my alignment checked every 18 months and don’t recall paying more than around £60.

[Hampshire rubber burner]

I work in a fast fit centre and bosch trained
ANY WHEEL ALIGNMENT THAT CHANGES STEERING ANGLE/ DRIVE LINE WILL REQUIRE ADAS CALIBRATION
THATS RADAR AND CAMERA
IF NOT CALIBRATED THEN ACC LANE ASSIST BLIND SPOT PEDESTRIAN DETECTION AND
SIGN RECOGNICIAN WILL NOT WORK
IF NOT DONE YOUR CAR INSURANCE COULD BE VOID

[Adam T7]

My ADAS and ACC works absolutely fine post alignment.

[Carlosfandango]

My ADAS and ACC works absolutely fine post alignment.

Yes indeed! It will carry on working fine much as it would if you knocked it out of alignment.