Dealer Loan Car

[Buzy_Robot]

I took my VW Passat in for a warranty repair recently and organised a 'free' loan car. Of course, I would have to pay for fuel usage which is fair. However, I was rather taken aback by the $3,000 insurance excess and was told it could be reduced to $500 if I paid $25.

I ended up paying the $25, but have any of you also come across the same and/or similar situation? Is this standard practice amongst VW dealers?

[brad]

$3000 excess is about right. Some are more, some are less. Hire cars are similar excess unless you pay to reduce it.

it does depend on your relationship with the dealer. The dealer I used to use wouldn't put an excess on when my car broke down (vehicles fault / goodwill gesture, etc) but did when it was being serviced (convenience for me, etc).

I go to an independant specialist now & he just gives me a car & asks that I put some fuel in it. It's an old dunger but still a win-win deal.

[Buzy_Robot]

Thanks Brad. A mate of mine had an engine replacement done on a 12 month old Polo GTI and they didn't charge him anything for the loan car. Told him about a $2,000 excess and asked him to pay for fuel usage. Seems like fees (or not) on loan cars is dependent on the dealership.

[Ryan_R]

$1000 excess and the option of $25 to cover fuel or I can (and do) fill it up myself for the amount I used (which is usually $10 worth) is the standard practice, although the loan car is usually just a basic Golf. If you're last to show up sometimes you get something nicer from the sales yard - I had a Comfortline Tiguan.