Independent garage - Full Service History, would it put you off?

[secret lemonade drinker]

With VW current software track record if your vehicle is working LEAVE WELL ALONE!

 

[Nicholas Poole]

Hey,

Looking at a 2019 California T6.

Gentlemen, who owned it lived pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, he got his local independent garage to service it every year on time.

However, it’s never been serviced by Vw or as far as I can tell looked at by Vw since new.

Would just put you off buying it at all. Is it anything I should be concerned with?

I’m not sure if it bothers me to be honest but also when I come to sell it, I wouldn’t want it to be a sticking point.

It’s out of VW warranty now.

Ive been taking my 2016 T6 Beach to a main dealer since new, and only a couple of months back I took it for its first non franchised but VW Specialist service. Had a great experience from the knowledgable (VW trained) technicians, used VW parts for peace of mind, and the invoice was about £350 less! What I did appreciate was the absence of a long list of jobs that the Main Dealer always worried me with on collection - I had another independent check the van over armed with their last list and he said it was fiction.

Beach has now done 60k so I think Ive done right by it!

 

[CALIFORNIA-VW53DUB]

You have not said what the mileage actually is on the van, but assume it is low. So an annual oil and filter change is ideal, especially when you consider VW will only do it every 10 or 20K over a two year period. I have never seen them white grease the door hinges/locks or handbrake cables. And they have always changed my van oil (when under warranty every year whatever the mileage, even if just 4k been travelled) and every time it is half way up the dipstick and you have to ask the service manager to get some nutty to put the other litre in they can not be bothered to do............think about that for every 7 vans, the dealership gets a free oil change out of that customer.
VW do the very basics, they do not even know there is a filter on the 4 Motion system, and just change the oil. They cannot diagnose anything unless the computer system tells them is something wrong and just change parts until the fault clears. I had a brand new T6.1 Ocean, that ended up in the dealership more times than I care to mention, and they did a worse job than the factory fixing what was wrong.
Having worked with VW’s for over 40 years, most of the independent garages have gone through the Transporter/Commercial range which includes California’s for years, and seen the changes VW have made through over that period, and often know how to fix a part VW want to just replace.
You have to ask yourself, why does your van that is 2 or 3 years old still need a software update? It was working fine without it.
Indépendant garages are just that, and they need good continued business to survive, and keep going. VW dealerships do not give two hoots, your'e a number who pays the money. Plus their labour rates are extortionate.
Independents all day long, especially after your warranty has expired.

You only have to look at threads like this one, to see what a waste of space VW dealers are............needs a new BCM/ECU £3k bill...........ends up being a loose wire!

Urgent advice request - catalytic converter warning light

Thank you

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Dill Tart]

Hey,

Looking at a 2019 California T6.

Gentlemen, who owned it lived pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, he got his local independent garage to service it every year on time.

However, it’s never been serviced by Vw or as far as I can tell looked at by Vw since new.

Would just put you off buying it at all. Is it anything I should be concerned with?

I’m not sure if it bothers me to be honest but also when I come to sell it, I wouldn’t want it to be a sticking point.

It’s out of VW warranty now.

T6 2017 4Motion 204bhp 65,000 miles.
As others have already mentioned, I also do all my own servicing every June, regardless of mileage, top quality oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, diesel filter, and then record the date & mileage on the receipt listing the parts.
The vehicle is currently at a VW main dealer for an inspection & oil & filter change (doesn’t really need an oil change) prior to selling it to give any buyer peace of mind, the cost is some £240!

 

[Readz]

On the contrary. I am actually happy my warranty is finished I can now go back to my old mate for all future work and I know everything will be done better than main dealer.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I bought my 2008 in 2009. Gave up with dealers after just a couple of years. They were just awful. Incompetent and expensive. My VW specialist serviced the Cali and my 2008 Golf Gti until I sold it in 2023. They are great and I still own the van so something must be right.

 

[Paulro]

I stuck with VW Heritage in Bristol for many years.
The final nail in the coffin was, after a service just prior to a trip to France they said there was a leak of fumes coming from somewhere but not to worry, the carbon filter will ensure you won’t be affected.
We had to drive for 3 weeks with the windows down in sun and rain.
I’ve since found an independent garage that I trust totally and they do a great job.
I’d check out the garage, look at invoices carefully and see what work has been done and when.
Don’t let an independent history put you off.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I stuck with VW Heritage in Bristol for many years.
The final nail in the coffin was, after a service just prior to a trip to France they said there was a leak of fumes coming from somewhere but not to worry, the carbon filter will ensure you won’t be affected.
We had to drive for 3 weeks with the windows down in sun and rain.
I’ve since found an independent garage that I trust totally and they do a great job.
I’d check out the garage, look at invoices carefully and see what work has been done and when.
Don’t let an independent history put you off.

Which I dependant do you use if you don’t mind me asking please ?

 

[The Tall Luthier]

VW Birmingham occupies a large acreage, big glossy show room, loads of really friendly super helpful staff and a coffee machine, alas all these things need paying for!

My local independent is close by, it takes two seconds to drop off keys, they keep me abreast of what NEEDS doing, what will need doing and generally help me to keep on top of things.

It’s a no brainier really. Independent every time. Keep the money flowing, when the time comes to sell I’m happy to take the hit on a reduced market size.

 

[Paulro]

Which I dependant do you use if you don’t mind me asking please ?

I use Mi motors in Cotham. Top mechanics that also have run competitive cars in events.
They have T6’s themselves and I trust them with my vehicle. They are happy to charge for labour and I often look for the best quality oem parts that they’re happy to fit.
Most recent work was a new a/c compressor and condenser just before a French visit. Excellent

 

[colintfcolintf]

I use Mi motors in Cotham. Top mechanics that also have run competitive cars in events.
They have T6’s themselves and I trust them with my vehicle. They are happy to charge for labour and I often look for the best quality oem parts that they’re happy to fit.
Most recent work was a new a/c compressor and condenser just before a French visit. Excellent

Many thanks Paulro