$8000 to repair engine at 100,000km. VW won't help.

**caeci11ius** · 26-05-2020, 02:06 PM

Hi everyone,

Back at the end of 2013, I bought a 90TSI Comfortline Golf VII. Between my 90,000km and 105,000km service, the car started using a very significant amount of oil (may have started increasing earlier, but that was the first time I had to put more than a litre in between services). The dealer looked at the car at 105,000km and over the following few months determined that the oil consumption was well outside even VW's very loose acceptable tolerance, and diagnosed it as needing new pistons and rings due to carbon build-up. Cost quoted at $8,000.

Given that a car of similar age in good condition is worth about $10,000, I'd say this falls very much into the category of "uneconomical to repair". I'd have also expected rather more than 100,000km out of a non-performance vehicle driven pretty gently over its lifetime (to give you an idea of how I drive it - I actually get the rated fuel economy).

Now, I get that this isn't a brand new car any more, but I'd have thought that an engine should last well over 100,000km before it costs essentially the full price of the vehicle to fix? Am I kidding myself here? Or does this not meet a reasonable standard of durability? Looking around the internet, I see other people have had similar issues. I'm wondering if anyone can give some advice in an Australian context? VW have declined to assist once already based on the age of the vehicle, and are refusing to talk to me directly (they say they changed their policy on this at Christmas time and now all communications must be done through the dealer). The dealer seems to have some sympathy for my position, but obviously isn't volunteering to do the work out of the goodness of their hearts...

I guess what I'm wondering at this point is what can I do? Have you had a similar problem? Did you have more luck than me? Should I pursue this with the ACCC based on the vehicle failing to meet a reasonable standard of durability? Are there any more economical ways to get this back to a working standard, and if so, why have I not been quoted for those? I'd really appreciate some assistance, as I'm at my wits end here...

**Lucas_R** · 26-05-2020, 02:16 PM

Sorry to hear mate. It's probably worth a 2nd (and even 3rd) opinion though before proceeding with anything.

If it was me, i would install a 2nd hand engine from a crashed Mk7 90TSI and either keep it till it dies again or sell it off. Or you could just keep feeding it oil......$8k buys a lot of oil.

VW of course wont help you with this as they will only want to sell you a new engine, so you will have to find yourself a good independent VW specialist such as Canberra VW Centre - Home | Facebook or Canberra VW Centre Tuggeranong - Tuggeranong, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | Facebook

**Sanity** · 26-05-2020, 03:04 PM

I agree with Lucas, get 2nd hand engine it's way cheaper and depending on supplier you might get 6mnth waranty too.

**Lucas_R** · 26-05-2020, 03:43 PM

Wrecking Golf Mk7 90TSI: 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 7 1.4L 90TSI CXSA – ASV Euro Car Parts – European Auto Spares

**Ozsko** · 26-05-2020, 11:04 PM

You could ask the ACCC/consumer affairs what is a reasonable life for an engine and that could result in a different answer. Keep a diary of all corrospondence and conversations with all people about this matter if you go down that path.

**Flipper Dog** · 27-05-2020, 09:48 AM

A 7 year old car, even with a low 100k on it, is reaching close to the reasonable life expectancy of about 10 years for VW to take any interest in helping. This is confirmed by fob off you got at quoting $8000 without any detail. Seek an independent mechanic to diagnose what is wrong and that would give you a better indication of your issue, options and costings.

**ABCD** · 27-05-2020, 12:40 PM

How does it feel to drive ie is it obviously down on power? Is it blowing loads of smoke? If not as someone else has said just keep topping up the oil and run it until it gives up. Or perhaps if you had been half thinking about a new car get rid of it now.

**caeci11ius** · 06-06-2020, 11:15 AM

Thought I'd just log in and give an update on what happened. Thanks to everyone who posted helpful suggestions! The dealer eventually managed to get VW to come to the party and they paid for half of the fix. Even though it was still very expensive, it was gonna cost me at least $1000 even to walk away based on the investigatory work they'd already done, so I went ahead with that as I figured it was gonna probably cost me several grand even at another joint.

To those who suggested selling it, I did think about doing that, particularly as the problem would've been undetectable without pulling it apart or driving it for a while (it was just burning up piles of oil). I would've felt like a total prick doing that though, so wasn't a genuine option. This way I'll probably drive it for a couple more years, then sell it to somebody with some life left on it and still be able to feel good about myself.

Will get it back early next week so it'll be nice to have a car again after two months...

**gregozedobe** · 06-06-2020, 10:45 PM

I hope the fix goes OK for you, and well done ! for your good ethics

**aldridge_mark** · 20-04-2022, 01:01 PM

I purchased a 2014 Golf TSi a few months back for my son who is gradually paying me back, and it too is using a massive amount of oil. It drives fine but have too top up the oil every week.

I have booked it into VM at Kedron to get them to take a look. Im really worried about the costs.