Servicing under warranty--anywhere?

**Mum to 4** · 13-06-2013, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

As long as your servicing is done to manufacturer's requirements by qualified mechanic, your warranty can't be voided.

This, but you as the consumer need to be up to speed on what VW consider essential at each service. We just got caught out as our qualified mechanic failed to replace the DSG fluid at 60,000 because on the service page it says 'as required' but at the front of the book it says every 60,000km. VW Aust are now looking to use this to get out of the issue we have with our DSV saying we didn't have it serviced appropriately however to our knowledge (at the time) we did. So, just watch the fine print!!

**Transporter** · 13-06-2013, 01:24 PM

Clearly they aren't.

Sent from my GT-N8000

**Goz** · 13-06-2013, 11:49 PM

Thanks to all who've provided answers to my question, which was:

"My question is, can I get this car serviced by any mechanic and keep the warranty?
Or would the warranty become void if it's not done by the dealer where I bought the car?"

Based on the replies so far, the answer seems to be, "Yes, I can get it serviced by someone other than the dealer I bought the car from and still keep the warranty, but that someone needs to be a 'qualified' mechanic and the servicing needs to be done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

My questions are: (1) Where/how do I find these 'qualified' mechanics? Qualified by whom?
(2) How would I know if the servicing is done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Is there a certificate or some other document to evidence this?
(3) Is the 'good will' 2yr extension free?
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
(4) Which dealer or 'qualified' mechanic would you recommend (in Sydney), to get my car serviced (and keep the warranty)?
I'd appreciate information based on direct experience, thanks.

**Hillbilly** · 14-06-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Goz

Thanks to all who've provided answers to my question, which was:

"My question is, can I get this car serviced by any mechanic and keep the warranty?
Or would the warranty become void if it's not done by the dealer where I bought the car?"

Based on the replies so far, the answer seems to be, "Yes, I can get it serviced by someone other than the dealer I bought the car from and still keep the warranty, but that someone needs to be a 'qualified' mechanic and the servicing needs to be done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

My questions are: (1) Where/how do I find these 'qualified' mechanics? Qualified by whom?
(2) How would I know if the servicing is done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Is there a certificate or some other document to evidence this?
(3) Is the 'good will' 2yr extension free?
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
(4) Which dealer or 'qualified' mechanic would you recommend (in Sydney), to get my car serviced (and keep the warranty)?
I'd appreciate information based on direct experience, thanks.

1 A person who has qualified in his trade by doing an apprenticeship or similar
2 VW give you a printout with all the things that are required to be done according to which service they are doing. Dont know about a
Non VW Last one I had didnt, just ticked the bits in the service book. which isnt good enough
3 yes
4 Cant help someone will

**Transporter** · 14-06-2013, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Goz

Also, if it's serviced by any of the vw dealers for every service, I may be able to get a 'good will' 2yr extension on my 3yr warranty."

Or maybe not? You need to balance it out, if the dealer servicing is worth to you or not? Often the dealer will supply the part and you pay for their labour which may be still very expensive. In the case of the DSG and the current recall you have nothing to worry about because it wouldn't exclude anyone who had their car serviced somewhere elso or not serviced at all.

So, if there was any recall - like now

, then it doesn't matter where you service your car or not service it, you get your car repaired for free as people who service regularly.

Goodwill or not, I've sent my customers to the dealer for repairs when the car broke down after 3 years warranty and they got the car repaired for a fraction of the cost (didn't even pay for the full labor), they weren't the first owner (bought the car secondhand from the dealer) and never had any service done buy VW dealer.

I hope that helps you.

**brad** · 14-06-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Goz

My questions are: (1) Where/how do I find these 'qualified' mechanics? Qualified by whom?
(2) How would I know if the servicing is done according to the 'manufacturer's requirements'. Is there a certificate or some other document to evidence this?
(3) Is the 'good will' 2yr extension free?
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly,
(4) Which dealer or 'qualified' mechanic would you recommend (in Sydney), to get my car serviced (and keep the warranty)?
I'd appreciate information based on direct experience, thanks.

1) Motor Traders Association of Australia give out the qualifications. You can ask your mechanic - it used to be a white credit card item with blue printing (that's what i got in 1982). Maybe it's changed
The workshop itself should also have an MTAA registration sign somewher prominent. Again, blue writing on white about 500mm x 300mm IIRC.
2) Workshop stamp in your service book
3) no idea - ask the provider
4) Where are you in Sydney? There's a fair bit of choice and Sydney is 3hrs drive North to South & 1.5hrs East to West. No point driving 2 hours if there's somebody close to home. There is a "recomended suppliers" area in this forum somewhere.

edit: delete MTAA. It's the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Council. I'm surprised Transporter didn't correct me because he's still in the thick of things.

**stickshift3000** · 14-06-2013, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mum to 4

We just got caught out as our qualified mechanic failed to replace the DSG fluid at 60,000 because on the service page it says 'as required' but at the front of the book it says every 60,000km. VW Aust are now looking to use this to get out of the issue we have with our DSV saying we didn't have it serviced appropriately however to our knowledge (at the time) we did.

It wasn't serviced according to the manufacturer's directions, I'm not surprised VWA aren't honouring your warranty. You'll need more than good luck with that one.

I tend to think that your mechanic is not competent to work on VW DSG's if he's not aware of the DSG oil service interval.

**logger** · 14-06-2013, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

..Still, you're right and it should not mean anything in this instance and the car owners get their cars fixed, but most likely get flagged in the VW system as the one that was tempered with.

I doubt they will be noticed, let alone flagged. Have you had any experience of flagging actually happening in recent times? I know it is technically possible but I dont see why they would even bother checking and adding to their work load.

**blutopless2** · 14-06-2013, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

...and if you do so, just make sure that your VAG car doesn't have any performance tune since that automaticaly voids the warranty.

Not true. I had a 2008 MKV Jetta which I had tuned by APR at 12 months old. DSG (6 speed) was replaced under warranty with no comments from the dealer about the tune and I never switched it back to the stock program either.

**Transporter** · 14-06-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by blutopless2

Not true. I had a 2008 MKV Jetta which I had tuned by APR at 12 months old. DSG (6 speed) was replaced under warranty with no comments from the dealer about the tune and I never switched it back to the stock program either.

Hmm, yeah 3 or 4 years ago.
But now not everyone has the same experience.

Sent from my GT-N8000