Issue with dealer

[Bigfatbob]

I bought my car back in June with 62000 miles on and at the time was told that it had had the timing belts replaced, didn't check as I trusted the dealer). I have just recently taken it in for a service and was told (I have now also checked the service record) that the timing belts need replacing. They also told me that the rear disks and pads were under the recommended limits and need replacing.
So my dilemma is should they have sold me a car without the work done on the timing belts that is past the recommended mileage and if so how do I get them own up this.
On the issue with the disks, I asked them to check what they were when they sold it to me and there were under the recommended limits then so I am currently in negotiations about this as well.
As an aside they also tried to charge me 2 lots of £60 for new oil claiming it was a computer error!!

[bobjebb]

a) Write a letter to the most senior person you can within the group, CC it to customer services and the guy who has said no. Express that you have been LIED to, and ask the question of whether or not they think that's a fair way to treat a customer spending £xxxxx

b) Takes some mates down there and ask to see the aftersales manager.... (I'd start with a))

[derdle]

Wonder whether there is any ground to be had by saying that the car was "misrepresented" under the Trade Descriptions Act and threaten using the local Trading Standards office?

Computer error my ar*e we all know about GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out).

Paul

[TWH]

Always worth consulting your local trading standards. I have used them before for other things, and they were incredibly helpful, and also managed to get things moving where many emails etc.. from me hadn't! IMHO, if they told you the timing belts had been done, then they have flat out lied and you really are in a position to kick their ass. Similarly (I'm assuming they are an Audi dealer) they shouldn't be allowed to sell you a car with pads that are already below their limit so look to get Audi UK in on it too.

[Golich]

Was the car sold as an "Approved Audi"? If so, you wouldn't believe the list of things the dealer has to check and conform too. (You can read about what an "Approved Audi" means on the Audi UK website.

Assuming they are an Audi dealer you have them buy the short and curleys. You shouldn't need to get trading standards involved a simple call to Audi UK customer services should do the trick.

Failing that, and I'll be suprised if that doesn't work, trading standards are the guys - They don't muck about.

[derdle]

When I bought mine I had the dealer put a warranty on it and they missed the fact that it had missed the 40k cambelt change - the car having now done 44k miles. I moaned to the dealer and to Audi customer services and got absolutely nowhere. But I think the "misdecription/misrepresentation" option I previously outlined is possibly a better way to go.

Paul

[Dippy]

From what I've seen you need to threaten legal action for Audi UK dealers to change their mind. So if the car was from a dealer with a FASH, then simply initiating small claims court proceedings ought to do it.

If it's not an Audi dealer then you can try Trading Standards, but you'll have to prove that you bought it on the basis that the cambelt had been done. If you can't (i.e. it was verbal only) then you may be out of luck.

[Rs4Fan]

The big questions are whether a) this was an Audi dealer and b) you have "in writing" that they claimed that the timing belt service was performed. If you have neither, you're pretty much screwed.

I had the same experience with the brakes with the car I bought last August from an Audi dealer. In essence, I needed four disks and pads all way round only 2,000 mi later. Just spent £ 1,250 + VAT and chalk that up to experience too. Moral of the story, whether you buy from an Audi dealer or not, have the car checked out by a good mechanic. These puppies are expensive to maintain.

Just be glad your timing belt held up for 62,000 miles - could have been worse! Good luck sorting this out.

[lengster1]

If you bought it from audi,theres a nice little quote on the front page of the warranty vehicle history checks section,it reads"Now you can relax knowing that all aspects of your cars history have been thoroughly checked and verified-there are no hidden suprises"hmm i reckon youve got em on that issue fair and square eh

[Bigfatbob]

Just as an update, after sending a letter to Audi UK and various senior managers at the dealers I got a phone call from both the service manager and a nice lady at Audi UK saying that they would fix all the problems FOC and I should get it booked in ASAP. So it went in over the weekend and was fixed by Mon pm, I even got a courtesy car. Service was great but the the sales guy who sold me the car couldn't face me, not surprising really as it cost them their profit on the car.

[derdle]

That's a good outcome for you ... better than the one I had! Glad you got it sorted quite quickly.

[bobjebb]

works every time...

[rs666]

I have a similar situation coming up. Bought my RS6 and the dealer said the 'cambelt' has been changed.

Service is due in 1300 miles. I will be taking it to an independant specialist for service and will pay for them to check the timing belts. If they haven't been done all hell will break loose

[Golich]

Possibly showing my ignorance here but I thought the V8 uses chains rather than belts.

Anyway, how will an independant know if a belt etc has been changed? The belt isn't stamped with its date of fitting.

One of the good things about Audi main stealer servicing is all dealers are supposed to enter the service activities on a national database. That way you can establish the entire service history from day one from any dealer no matter which dealer did the work. you only have to call any stealer's service dept and give them ideally the chassis No. alternatively the number plate, although the number plate might cause some confusion if its been changed at some point.

In addition, there is tick box in the service book for toothed belt. However, the service book is not the complete story as I found out. A number of tensioners and rollers should be replaced also. My belt and main tensioner was changed but two other rollers etc were missed. The invoice and a check with the service record at the stealer confirmed they'd missed the other parts.

They took it back in and replaced the parts.

[rs666]

Acknowledge the chain/belt thing, that's what I was getting at, but I was as bad as the salesman and used the wrong terminology

So what would you suggest? I have moved to a new area so I could visit my nearest dealer get all friendly as I am due a service, and with a view to him maybe getting the revenue of a timing chain change and ask him to check the database?

If it hasn't been done then get straight back onto original dealership and Audi CS?