My RS6 ownership is already over - What next?

[EmilA]

Weird but you know what chances are they’ll sell it. Many people put a lot of faith in AUC cars. That along with the ease of finance etc.

I put faith into buying AUC, and issues galore.

[Ian_C]

My wife’s car is ‘16 GTD and same risk there, the plate has been cloned on it already and we once had the entire M20 southbound get blocked and 7 or 8 police cars stop us thinking we were the thieves...

Stick a cheap private plate on it. That way the low life will no longer be able to track you even if you move house. And means there is no chance you will get stopped again like you mention. And if the scum use the original plate (AB16DEF) it will show as no tax + no insurance so

[EmilA]

Ah sorry Ian I didn’t explain fully. The cloned plate was a private one, it’s back on the original plate now.

A few people responsible for the cloning and stealing of cars were arrested a few months too

[Ian_C]

Ah sorry Ian I didn’t explain fully. The cloned plate was a private one, it’s back on the original plate now.

A few people responsible for the cloning and stealing of cars were arrested a few months too

Ace - glad to hear.

[fozi.g]

.

[innercry666]

Maybe I should share the list of issues I had with the car.. Would anyone like to see a copy and paste of the painful journey I had with the dealer? I will remove their name from it.

I guess now I know why they brought it back off me too

I would be keen to hear the story...

[Magrillz]

EmilA, I also live near you in solihull. Currently have an S4, would love an RS6 next but also wondering if it’s a wise move as it will be the main family car. Having said that as previously mentioned any German car half decent and reasonably new seems to be a target. Mate of mine from school pulled up on his parents drive in DamsonWood solihull and had his m135i taken!

Difficult one really, I don’t want to give in to the scum but don’t want to risk the kids. I’ve not had any problems with my s4 but the car is off the road and more recently we now have gates and a garage so well out of sight.

The only other car I personally like is te panamera turbo sport tirismo but way out of my budget at the mo!

Be interested to hear what you go for!

[fozi.g]

Think I’ve seen your car up for sale with an AUC. Has to be yours. Not many white cars about.

[Eddie555]

EmilA, I also live near you in solihull. Currently have an S4, would love an RS6 next but also wondering if it’s a wise move as it will be the main family car. Having said that as previously mentioned any German car half decent and reasonably new seems to be a target. Mate of mine from school pulled up on his parents drive in DamsonWood solihull and had his m135i taken!

Difficult one really, I don’t want to give in to the scum but don’t want to risk the kids. I’ve not had any problems with my s4 but the car is off the road and more recently we now have gates and a garage so well out of sight.

The only other car I personally like is te panamera turbo sport tirismo but way out of my budget at the mo!

Be interested to hear what you go for!

Lol. My dad used to own the Chinese Takeaway on Rowood Drive. I’m class of 1982 Lode Heath school. Small world.

[Foxy]

I had a drive of a mates new M5 a couple of weeks ago and was impressed, more nimble than my PE and just as quick. I Haven't driven the E63 but heard they're very good, I just think they look drab, but would echo the comments about Alpina, they are very good and I came very close to buying the D3 Touring a couple of years ago, might put the Mrs in a decent used one next year. Currently I'm lusting over the new S63 Coupe, not ready to change but was offered £20k off list!!!

[Magrillz]

EmilA, I also live near you in solihull. Currently have an S4, would love an RS6 next but also wondering if it’s a wise move as it will be the main family car. Having said that as previously mentioned any German car half decent and reasonably new seems to be a target. Mate of mine from school pulled up on his parents drive in DamsonWood solihull and had his m135i taken!

Difficult one really, I don’t want to give in to the scum but don’t want to risk the kids. I’ve not had any problems with my s4 but the car is off the road and more recently we now have gates and a garage so well out of sight.

The only other car I personally like is te panamera turbo sport tirismo but way out of my budget at the mo!

Be interested to hear what you go for!

Lol. My dad used to own the Chinese Takeaway on Rowood Drive. I’m class of 1982 Lode Heath school. Small world.

Sure is a small world! Yep, I went to Lode Heath too but left in 95. We used to use your dad’s place quite a bit.....

[EmilA]

Magrillz, your right anything German and fairly new is a target. It is such a shame, there is a lot going on in Birmingham/Solihull - I remember a video of an M4 being stolen in Shirley not to long ago as well.

Fozi - more than likely the same car, your right there isn’t many white cars about for sale, quite an easy way to make some more money on it.

I’m going to hold off on what to buy next for a few weeks,
the new RS4 is nice but prices are firm, may just stick to the GTD while we are in Brussels as we only need one car.
I looked at the Panamera Turismo Sport, Solihull dealer let me have a look around and offered to arrange test drive even though I said I wouldn’t be buying now, credit to them.

Copy and paste of my full list of issues coming up shortly.

[EmilA]

1 - I arranged to view the car and declined the option of leaving a deposit to secure it for myself. Overnight I decided that I would like to leave the deposit so called the next morning, was told that someone was viewing the car and I would be called back if it was not sold. About an hour later I was contacted and told that I can leave a deposit to secure it as the other person wants to think it over after their second viewing. I was told that if I left a deposit, there is no room for negotiation and I will have to purchase at advertised price. I left the deposit at this point to secure the car, in faith that being approved used there would be no issues.
2 - A day later, I was called and told that the keys for the car have been lost and though I can see the outside of the car, I cannot sit inside nor test drive it.
3 - Upon arriving, I was shown the car, had a look around the outside and that was it. Was told that the keys were lost after the wheels were refurbished which co-incidently was at the same time that the other viewing was taking place. I can assume that a viewing was being done while the car was in the bodyshop having refurbished alloys and then the keys being misplaced but I digress.
4 - Sidewall of the tyre was damaged on two wheels, the sales advisor stated that this can be glued down, and the lack of tyre tread was also mentioned by me. I was advised the car will be put through the workshop and the 145 point check carried out would show any issues, and replace items where needed I also queried the condition of the brakes during the viewing and was told the workshop inspection would cover that as well.
5 - I was asked if I wanted Tyre, Key and GAP insurance. I wanted the quotes to know the prices, and that was it.
6 - The day before I was due to pick the car up, I was asked if I did not mind the alloy wheels on the car being replaced with another set as there was some damage on one which was not picked up when the alloys were refurbished, and a replacement would take a few weeks to arrive and they needed the deal completed within that quarter (the next day, 30th June which was collection day). - Co-incidently, XX Audi had a blue RS6 which had the same design of alloys which were on my car the day I collected it while it was at another dealer, and this car then had the same design of alloys where were formally fitted to my car on it when XX had it up for sale, after it was moved from another Audi branch within their network. One can assume these were simply swapped between the cars due to the lack of tyre tread on the “old” wheels and the cuts to the sidewall.
7 - While completing the paperwork, I was told that the Tyre, GAP and Key insurance was setup for me, and that I cannot cancel them on the day and have to pay for those otherwise the car will not be released to me (this is after the finance papers have been signed). I could call the underwriter and cancel it on Monday once their business opened. I called them on Monday and the underwriter advised me that they do not receive the funds and it is the dealer who would refund me, directly contradicting what I was told, and XX immediately processed the refund when I called them. To add, Audi AUC policy includes Key insurance.
8 - Paperwork for the car including the MOT that had just been performed, and its history was missing. The passenger sill trim which was also reported as not fitted to the car also appears to have been missing and not fitted, it is not in the photos of the car taken from that side less than 24 hours after collecting it.
9 - My first time driving the car was from XX Tesco to XX Audi, a distance of 1.5 miles after XX paid for a tank of fuel (as a good will gesture for buying a car without driving it).
10 - Upon arriving back at the dealer, I was informed that the sales advisor would locate my wife and that we may leave. No formal handover, no making sure i was comfortable with the vehicle and no walking around the car to make sure the points shown to me on the inspection had been completed.
11 - After leaving the premises, I saw that the passenger rear dooryard had an indent. The interior was also dirty. The brakes also squealed quite significantly but I thought this could be because the brakes are cold, having owned high performance cars before I know certain brake pads squeal when cold.
12 - I noticed the gearbox would sometimes lag when changing between 4th to 5th gear, but thought nothing of it at that point.
13 - On the 29th July, 29 days after picking up the car and after driving some country roads in Belgium/Germany and Luxemborg, the car started to shake quite violently when changing from 4th to 5th gear, a physical jolt was felt and a thud was also heard.
14 - The issue was raised with Audi Customer Services, after discussing this with Audi XX it was agreed that the car will go to Audi XX at my convince for them to investigate it further. Initially this was scheduled for October upon my next driving visit to Birmingham. I could not take it to XX Audi as I needed a replacement vehicle which had to be picked up from Birmingham as I could not take a courtesy car out of the UK, and I also had no faith in the dealer, additionally was not comfortable letting someone else drive my high performance car 130 miles away when there is an Audi dealer 4.4 miles away. I also confirmed with Audi Customer Services that though I had complained about the sale/handover, I just want the car working correctly and nothing further.
15 - The car was given to Audi XX on the 11th August. When I dropped the car off there was no record of an engine service, diff and final drive oil change being performed as promised on collection.
16 - Once inspection was carried out on the 13th August. The gearbox issue has apparently been resolved after a software update but Audi XX also picked up on some other faults/concerns on the car. As stated by Audi XX when sending an e-mail to various individuals, XX Audi have a duty of care to make sure the car is fit for purpose. A copy of their report is attached for your reference. Audi XX would not carry out the work until they were paid by XX Audi.
17 - I do not know why these were not picked up by XX Audi on the 145 point inspection which they would have carried out as they are fairly significant and more importantly expensive, not forgetting the indent on the doorcard which is over an inch in length. The Audi approved website states any irregularities that are identified would be fixed during the 145 point inspection - https://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/why-buy-approved.html .
18 - After waiting a few days to get an update, I was advised on Friday the 17th August that XX Audi had approved and paid for the work to be done. I was also told that the fluid changes had been done but there was an issue with updating the system which is why Audi XX did not find a trace of it. Though somehow they were able to update the system and state that the air conditioning service had been carried out. This leaves some doubt in my mind as a missed service can result in a warranty claim for those areas being denied at no fault of my own should anything happen.
19 - I called Audi XX today, the 20th August to confirm the car was ready for collection so that I can arrange my travel from Brussels to Birmingham to collect the vehicle on the weekend. I was advised at this point that only the driver key cover had been approved and paid for. Once I enquired about the other points, Audi XX advised that they would not carry out the work as they had still not received payment for the key cover and they historically have issues with third party dealers paying for work, and it would need to go to XX Audi. I also believe that the car would not be released to me until payment is received. Audi XX also did the software update at their cost.
20 - Upon calling Audi Customer Services, I have stated that I will not allow XX to complete the work (for reasons listed above). A further call back from my case handler confirmed that they would like to allow XX Audi 48 hours to respond to their e-mail about the other points which they will send today. And that if i wanted to reject the car, it is possible but the head of business has to accept it and only if there is a physical fault with the car, which there is in this case.
21 - I informed that i have only had the car a short amount of time, and after paying nearly £43,000 for a car, I do not find a report by another dealer to show nearly £2300 worth of work (not including the passenger sill trim and uncertainly about services) appropriate when I purchased an approved used car to not have the issues that I am currently having, and was only purchased a few weeks ago. Though they are advisories, this is a car purchased from a dealer which should leave with zero advisory work unless the price reflects this and full disclosure if given. The costs are simply shifted left to myself instead of the dealer as they will need to be addressed.
24 - Had I had the opportunity to test drive the car appropriately (another dealer let me drive an RS6 for 30 minutes) I would have picked up on the brake squeal, doorcard indent and gearbox issue and asked for these to be rectified or not pursued the purchase of the car..

[innercry666]

Ouch. Basically the first dealership did not do the AUC checks as are required for it to be 'approved'. The big giveaway is that they didn't even bother cleaning it. For any used car place to sell a car that hasn't been cleaned let alone a franchised dealership is just disgusting. In fairness mechanical issues aren't always obvious but to sell a car that has obvious issues is obviously unacceptable. Shocking performance even from Audi.

I've had issues with brand new Audi's and the supplying dealerships in the past and have had to raise them to Audi UK. I've had results from this but generally speaking Audi UK are about as useless as some of the stealers. I've managed to find a dealership that I 'trust' within limits but still have to watch them as they try it on at times.

Is there any chance of compensation from Audi UK?

[doodlebug]

I’m amazed you took the car at all. I’d have walked away. These situations never end well.

Audi UK have little sway over the dealerships barring gross misconduct. The RS product is no longer special, you’re just another punter on the pile. Part of the reason I moved away from the brand.