burble Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 On Saturday lunchtime I was driving up to Birmingham. At about 1pm I was in the outside lane of the M6 about 1.5 miles from J6 when I felt the back end of my car jump. This particular section of the M6 has expansion strips for the tarmac on the bridge to expand so I know that there is a rumbling noise when driving on that bit of motorway but this noise was more than that. I immediately decided to pull over to the hard shoulder and as the inside 2 lanes were clear I began to pull over with my hazard lights on. As I got into lane 2 the car fishtailed then as I got into lane 1 the back wheels locked solid so I had next to no control over what happened next. Luckily I got the car on to the hard shoulder and which point I clambered over to the passenger seat and out the car. I'd stopped next to a fence with a concrete area on the other side (here if anyone is interested.). From there I called VW Assistance and waited for them to arrive. Now some background. My car went in to a local VW main dealer for a service a couple of weeks ago and one of the things that was meant to be done was an oil and filter change for the rear differential (the car has 4 wheel drive) but when I collected the car they hadn't done it. After some discussion where they claimed it needed a service at 80k they eventually accepted that it was due at 40k so it was booked in for Wednesday 12th. When the RAC man turned up I told him what had happened and that it had recently been service so he instantly thought the same as me, and as it turns out we were both right. He jacked the back end up of the car up and found that there was next to no oil in the rear differential meaning that it had siezed up, presumably with stripped gears and bits of metal floating around. Why do I class it as a dear death experience? Had I left it 10 seconds later to get onto the hard shoulder the rear wheels would have locked solid whilst doing 80mpg. I would have been just a passenger in what happened next and I believe that I would be dead now with possibly other innocent motorists losing their lives. The car was recovered and will be delivered to the VW dealer in question tomorrow. I'm taking tomorrow off work and I'll be making my way over there too. To say I'm angry that someones negligence could have cost me my life is an understatement. So yeah, a bit of a crappy weekend. I was very shaky for a good few hours afterwards and am still feeling a bit out of sorts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Man Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 I wonder what happened to all the diff oil.....because regardless the fact that they did`t change the oil at the 40k service the reason the diff locked up was because there was no oil.....was the drain plug loose....or even present?.....did you notice any leaking seals?......Having said that if they`d done the required oil change at the cars last service a few weeks ago then the mechanic would have noticed there was no oil.....and then no doubt looked for leak.....I think the main issue is how did the oil escape from the diff....not that it was`t changed. Glad to see you`v survived to fight another day....which no doubt you`ll be doing plenty of at the dealers tomorrow:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 I don't believe the put any oil in the diff. When I got under the car there was no evidence of any leaks and the drain plug was physically there, in and tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 I'm assuming they forgot to fill it back up after draining or something? As you say, could have had serious consequences. Good luck with getting this sorted - hopefully no cost to you if it's theor error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Man Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 (edited) I don't believe the put any oil in the diff. When I got under the car there was no evidence of any leaks and the drain plug was physically there, in and tight. So you think it may have been drained at the service....but not replaced?....fook me:o if that`s what happened.....If so, then it must have been a total noddy doing the service.....I`d be seriously pissed off as well, if this turns out to be what happened. Edited May 16, 2010 by Mr Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Yep, that's my thoughts exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 So you think it may have been drained at the service....but not replaced?....fook me:o if that`s what happened.....If so, then it must have been a total noddy doing the service..... If that's your thoughts, then I would seriously consider taking legal advice from the AA/RAC because you just know what the dealer is going to say ... they will give you the run around for weeks and say it's got nothing to do with them. Glad you managed to get over the hard shoulder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Another reason not to use that garage again........... But you will have to deal with them now anyway. Just goes to show how sh1tty service is really dangerous. Irrelevant of changing the oil, they should have at least checked the oil level, commented on any areas which look suspect/leaky and check all the fluid plugs. You will need to write to the VW MD to get help on this. That chuffing garage will wriggle and worm and squirm to it's best ability. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I wasn't going to use that garage again before this happened. There is a vaiable alternative but it's much less convenient, but not as inconvenient as death so I'll be using them in the future. I'm going to investigate if I can use APS for the servicing and get it billed to VW as part of the fixed price maintenance. I'm assuming it won't be possible but I'd definitely be more comfortable using a reputable company like APS. I've just been to have a chat with the dealer. The service guy I spoke to was visibly shocked. I'll be getting a call from the Service Manager and MD very soon. As soon as I get those calls I'll be going back there to talk to them in person. The possible consequences have played through my mind numerous times since Saturday. Several times last night when I was trying to sleep too. It was very hard, but I didn't lose my cool. Not as yet anyway. The guy I spoke to isn't the one with the spanner in his hand but I won't be keeping my cool when I'm talking to the legally accountable people. I'm about to give my car insurance company a call and see if the legal cover I have from them can be used to help me get this resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Sorry to hear about this. Keep documentation of everything. I'm not saying that your VW dealer is as devoid of any morals or sense of responsibility whatsoever and as prepared to lie in court as my Audi dealer (Sinclair Audi in Bridgend, if anyone's interested) but in a somewhat similar situation of failure to carry out transmission service properly causing catastrophic failure of the transmission, it took me two years to get any money out of them, and only then through the intervention of the UK head office and the editor of Autocar. Good luck with getting it sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Good to hear you're ok I've had some poor service from VW places before but never anywhere near that scale, monumentally incompetent it sounds like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Im glad you made it out alive, had it have been busy it could have been a different story. Keep us updated with how it goes getting it all fixed at the dealers expense. Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Don't forget you'll be wanting a couple of new tyres too if they've been flat spotted! I'm assuming the car has ESP? Do you think that helped keep you going straight? Interested in how it coped with a total lock of rear wheels as I'm not sure if it's designed to cope with situations like that. What about other parts lime the transfer box? Haldex? Will they be fooked too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I think I'd be working out how I might pursue this to put that dealer out of business (or at least shame VW UK into dropping their franchise). As for the car itself, I'd obviously want a full repair free of charge, but I wouldn't be driving it again - it'd be immediately up for sale. I would never be driving a VW again either, and I'd have to think pretty hard about any other VAG product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Don't forget you'll be wanting a couple of new tyres too if they've been flat spotted!I'm assuming the car has ESP? Do you think that helped keep you going straight? Interested in how it coped with a total lock of rear wheels as I'm not sure if it's designed to cope with situations like that. What about other parts lime the transfer box? Haldex? Will they be fooked too? Oh aye, it'll definitely need new rear tyres. The car does indeed have ESP (or whatever VW call it). I'v eno ideaif that helped keeping things straight, I didn't notice the ESP light flashing as I was pulling over but I wasn't looking at the dash so it could have been for all I know. The rear wheels didn't lock solid until I was in the inside lane and pointing towards the hard shoulder. I assume other bits are knackered too, not idea what bits and to what extent though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I think I'd be working out how I might pursue this to put that dealer out of business (or at least shame VW UK into dropping their franchise).As for the car itself, I'd obviously want a full repair free of charge, but I wouldn't be driving it again - it'd be immediately up for sale. I would never be driving a VW again either, and I'd have to think pretty hard about any other VAG product. This is going to sound downright mailicous, but that isn't how it is meant. But, I want the technician responsible for this to lose his job. He has absolutely no place working on cars and potentially costing people their life. I've not spoken to VW directly about this yet, have been running around all morning but I'll be calling them shortly. The legal cover from my insurance company will only cover me in the event of an accident and I'm told that this wasn't an accident. I'm not 100% convinced so I'll be pushing them again on that. My house insurance comes with personal legal protection so I'll be looking to go down that route. As for the car, I'm very, very confused. I love the car and wouldn't want to change it but I don't think I'll ever have the confidence to drive it again so I'm going to talk to VW and the dealer about them buying it off me. What do I replace it with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Hmm, I just noticed the time and realised that nobody from the dealership has called me yet. I think I'll be taking a trip over there after I've had a chat with VW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 It does sound a tad malicious yes, but in this case I totally understand it. Many years ago I saw a horrible accident unfold in front of me that resulted from mechanical failure and a locked rear axle. It's not an experience I would wish on anybody (although at least you know how Rubens felt when he bounced off the armco backwards at 150mph yesterday... ). The R32 is a great car, one with more character than you might expect from anything German, but we're in a golden era for hot hatches - there really is a huge amount of choice out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I've just spoken to VW and made the complaint which they're going to investigate. One thing came up during the call that surprises me - VW can't see any service history for my car, as far as they can tell it hasn't been into a dealer since it was PDI'd in November 2007! I did wonder if that was because they had the car logged with the original registration plate (I put a private plate on in January 2008) but no, neither registration plates are showing any service history. I'm off back to the dealer now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 It does sound a tad malicious yes, but in this case I totally understand it. Many years ago I saw a horrible accident unfold in front of me that resulted from mechanical failure and a locked rear axle. It's not an experience I would wish on anybody (although at least you know how Rubens felt when he bounced off the armco backwards at 150mph yesterday... ).The R32 is a great car, one with more character than you might expect from anything German, but we're in a golden era for hot hatches - there really is a huge amount of choice out there. But this could have happened to any car. It's not the cars' nor the brands' fault. It's the monkey who (didn't) work on the car, but ticked the boxes. Burble - has that garage always worked on the car? I presume you have the stamped up service book, print-outs and sh1t? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 It's not the cars' nor the brands' fault. The more we find out about this, the worse it looks for the dealer. But as far as I'm concerned, VW are culpable for allowing a criminally negligent dealer to sell and service their cars. When you look at the multitudes of stories on here of incompetence, negligence and abject customer service, particularly from Audi and VW dealers, it's hardly a surprise that a dealer that takes that to the extremes gets away with it. you really have to seriously question the standards of VW and Audi UK. As far as the car is concerned, the main problems may well be with the dealer, but for me it would raise too many questions about the entire marque and in this case the design and service plan of the particular model. By the way, has this dealer been named and shamed yet? I think it's time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 Burble - has that garage always worked on the car? I presume you have the stamped up service book, print-outs and sh1t? Yep. This particular garage didn't supply it, their sister company (trading under the same name) in a local down did. The service book is indeed fully stamped up. I've got the printouts from the first 2 services but between the 2nd and 3rd services the franchise changed ownership and the new owners don't give out copies of the paperwork. I know they can reprint it as I've just seen it done so I believe that part of the problem will be sorted without too much fuss. I've just been there and nobody can understand why VW see none of the service history - it is all there on the CRM they use in the dealership and VW would have received invoices for all the services as part of the fixed price maintenance scheme I'm on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 By the way, has this dealer been named and shamed yet? I think it's time. No, and at this stage I'm not going to as I don't want to prejudice any legal cases. When it's all said and done then I'll happily name and shame them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 No, and at this stage I'm not going to as I don't want to prejudice any legal cases. When it's all said and done then I'll happily name and shame them. That is of course the correct thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted May 17, 2010 Report Share Posted May 17, 2010 I know how you feel burble, I had a very similar experience not long ago with an over tightened wheel bearing which locked up. But remember, its not your car that has let you down, it's a technician. You have obviously put alot of time and effort into it so try not to let it taint your opinion of a great car, easy said I know: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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