Looks like you've had a very unlucky run. I ended up playing the angle that my "major fault" (regardless of how it occurred) had occurred within a period of time that a "reasonable consumer" would expect the the fault to not happen.
The guidelines do not specify what a reasonable time is for a product to be fault free, so that is up to interpretation. I argued that at 100,000km (and only 30k on the 3 clutch) a reasonable consumer would expect the clutch to be fault free.
Have a read of this: https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files...airs-guide.pdf
Pg 4 -"In particular, it provides guidance onthe legal rights and obligations createdby consumer guarantees provided bythe ACL. Remedies are available whenthere is a major failure to comply with aconsumer guarantee"
Pg 5 - "A Manufacturer guarantees - they will make available repairfacilities or spare parts for areasonable time"
Pg 12 - "Major failures - A major failure to comply withthe consumer guarantees includesthe following:• a reasonable consumer would nothave bought the vehicle if they hadknown about the full extent of theproblem. For example, no reasonableconsumer would buy a new vehiclewith so many recurring faults thatthe vehicle has spent more time offthe road than on it because severalqualified repairers have been unableto solve the problem"
The dealership made a few counter offers of cost price parts, half price labor etc. but I swung that around and said that was essentially VW admitting that they are responsible for the repairs. I just outright said (on each offer they made) that I am not paying anything for the repairs, and that I will be taking it to the ACCC if they don't sort it out.
Being polite and not a **** definitely helps with conflict. I often play the "If this was you how would you feel" card.
The dealership had to go back to VW head office a few times, so it took about 2 weeks to sort out.
I hope that helps and good luck. Let me know how you go.
Jeremy
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