Audi Approved Used & Warranty - Not worth the paper its written on ?

[IT]

Well, call from Audi UK as promised, but hasn't replaced any of my lost confidence.

Whether or not the dealers honour and follow the Approved Used scheme to letter, including the Multi point check does seem to be down to honesty of the dealerships, or more specifically, Audi UK don't seem to be able to offer any assurances that the process is followed to the standard that it promotes.

The fact that warranties can be applied by the dealers to cars, regardless of whether they are showing up faults, isn't being disputed, which continues to concern me.

And at the end of the day, the purchase agreement is between the end customer and dealer, so it is down to the supplying dealer to rectify any unhappiness, but again there seems to be no real procedure or policing of this. Its localised good will, or not as was my case.

The fallout of this for me, is that I've fallen out of love with Audi. This was never more apparent than when I drove my RS6 home from the dealer last week having got the PAS finally fixed, and driving a top end Audi no longer felt special. Quite the opposite in fact, and I've not driven it since.

The Q7 practically speaking I need to keep as its the family bus and when you need 6 seats, the choices get limited. It works ok, but every time I see it on the drive I get reminded how the Audi brand ripped me off.....

[tintin]

Not a good outcome, either for you or Audi it seems .

Surely a key element of brand value is in ensuring that standards (whether it be manufacturing, service, or customer management) are met, and reflect the values that the brand aims to promote? Which is this case doesn't seem to have happened, which is a real pity when you consider the loyalty (and advocacy…) that you've provided to Audi in the past over a number of years.

[paulrstaylor]

Sounds like a pretty poor show, as you know I am awaiting the return of my car which had some PDI issues which I am hopeful will be resolved. Still does leave a bitter taste in my mouth in any case.

For me it won't make me look for another car or manufacturer, personally I don't buy into the whole brand thing. I bought an A8 because I wanted comfort, security (4WD and laminated glass) and something that didn't offend people (like a range rover). With that in mind I have little choice of car with which to replace my last A8, other than more of the same which ticks all the boxes. I looked at other options, every one had a compromise I didn't want to make.

I guess they don't need to care if I'm upset, unless another manufacturer ups their game, or I accept a compromise!?

[roberto]

ive not bought an audi for a while now from a dealer
but
my friend john has just bought 2 cars this year

A3 2.0tdi quattro 2010 nothing but problems sorting issues out with sheffield audi
A8 3.0tdi D4 exec 2011 nothing but problems sorting issues out from im not sure exeter audi

paintwork
brakes
warning lights
and too much more to list

the approved checks are not being done properly

[IT]

So, no real progress to report quite disappointingly.

Audi UK have effectively dodged the question about how Audi Dealers are policed in their delivery of the used car promise, so I've formed the opinion that they're basically free to do as they wish. Oh joy.

In terms of my Q7 the warranty is up for renewal next week, and as yet no one has been able to answer the simple question of what am I *paying* to cover that is recorded at the time of sale as not actually being covered.

Apparently this can only be answered by Hitchin Audi, who according to Audi UK have so far, declined to answer. My contact at Audi UK is off this week but did say he would ask Hitching to email me the details this week.

Its Thursday lunchtime, and fortunately I've not been holding my breath.

Its a really very poor show to be honest. I'm left with the feeling that an Audi approved used car is no better quality than any other Audi bought from any other car dealer, but has a premium price tag just be reassuringly expensive.

I don't think I'd buy an Audi Approved used car without insisting on a 3rd party independent inspection, but if I'm going to do that, I might as well buy private and pocket the significant change......

I had a mate have a brand new 65 plate A6 delivered last week, but with faults on the lighting pack. Popped into a local Audi dealer on his way home from work but they "weren't very helpful" - I had hoped that new cars were immune from these issues, but seems not.

[notorious]

When I had some issues with Audi in the UK I have called Audi Germany (the number I dialled from my mobile phone is +49 841 890, yes, that short number) and opened a support ticket through them. Only after that I've got proper attention from Audi UK.

[PsYcHe]

Can only imagine that Audi UK want to hide the fact that they're allowing dealers to run riot from the mothership in Germany.

Glasgow Audi have been shocking with the A7, not passing info on, even between visits. I don't think there's been a single visit over 3 cars that they haven't made a complete arse of...

[richardracer]

You can look this up on ceoemail.co.uk. I used it last year with a "difficult" issue with my 4th pas pump failure on my 2006 s8. Worth copying CEO on any contact with mothership in Germany.

Good luck

Richardracer

[IT]

Well, case is closed. Partly because I'm not achieving anything, and partly because I feel under pressure to let them close it....

I finally, today got the email from Hitchin Audi with the results of the scan performed on my Q7 before it went out. Its worse than I imagined. It lists the door handles at fault, a compressor fault and an airbag in component protection. omg. A dealer supplied 2nd hand motor with possibly 2nd hand airbags ?. Really ?

I confess I've never scanned the car (why would I need to, its Audi Approved right?... <sigh>), and im away on holiday this time tomorrow but will have a look asap.

The overriding attitude of Audi UK is that the dealers operate under franchise and really there is nothing that they do to police / correct any wrong doings on the approved used front. They really don't seem to see this as an issue at all.

So I still have an £1800 warranty renewal to pay, if I want to cough up for a renewal, but apparently I can go ahead and do that safe in the knowledge that Audi UK have goodwill facilities they may use if I run into further trouble down the line with the already broken bits.

So my brief entry in the world of newer, warranted Audis for that 'trouble free' motoring and peace of mind has been nothing short of a disaster....

I'm definitely going back to my old recipe of buying older, and just looking after the bloody thing myself.

[PsYcHe]

Surely that's a job for the small claims court, local trading standards, and the local newspaper. Audi selling a car with faults they knew about, with a warranty they refuse to support.. Can't see how they could make that stand up in court, as the vehicle has been materially misrepresented by them in the sale.