Audi Dealership Repair Bafflement

BillHicksRIP

BillHicksRIP

BillHicksRIP

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28 Jun 2005
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1,306
Audi A4 2017 that's been serviced by my local main dealer while I've had it. Towards the end of the All-In warranty package I'd had for 2 years I pointed out a knocking sound coming from the offside front wheel that made going over bumps make the car shake like a bin wagon. They had the car in for 2 months to look at that and fix some other bits but I had a courtesy car the whole time so no worries. Called me right before Xmas to say the knocking was fixed and come and get it. Obviously, it was exactly the same so it went back to them the first week in Jan. When I dropped it off the guy pointed out 4 or 5 times that they may not be able to fix it as a master technician couldn't figure it out. They've had it for another two months and just mailed me to say they still can't fix it.

Am I on crazy pills? I'm at a loss here so any pointers what to do? Taking it somewhere else and having to pay myself seems a bit odd to me. Thanks.
 
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Seems like they are taking the **** out of you. The fact you let them take 2 months to fix other bits and look at it is alarming, regardless of being given a courtesy car or not.

They said it was "fixed" have you asked what they fixed? If you leave it to long between going back to them seem like they might use the "its out of warranty" to not have to fix the issue and say the damage (suspension arm/ball joints/bushings drop links)etc could have been damaged due to a pothole etc

Give them them a final change to diagnose and fix the issue under warranty (within 1 week) and if they cant tell them you will seek independent advise and you will then recover costs via legal methods

Go to a local mechanic or even a Tyre place that does alignment (avoid the big chains like kwikfit) as they can be very competent at identifying suspension issues as its stuff they adjust on a daily basis.
 
I find it hard to believe an Audi main dealer doesn’t have the clip on mics/knock detectors (for want of a better description) to find out which BJ or whatever is causing the noise.
You literally attach them to the suspension arms etc then put on a pair of cans and then drive the car and listen.
Rocket science it isn’t.
That said, without using them can be a massive pita as it’s not always as easy as using a pry bar to detect any play (you can still get knocking noises with zero play in ball joints).
 
They agreed to fix the problem in writing even after the warranty lapsed so that should still stand. I've had a 23 plate to use both times so it's been no hardship really, just very puzzling. We'll be pushing that they agreed to fix it post-warranty when we take their courtesy car back. It's all very strange.
 
Surely they should have in this rare case have replaced the whole car, how can they just give it back to you like that.

I would see a solicitor.
 
As long as you report a fault before the warranty expires it’ll be covered, whether or not they’ve actually looked at the car.
It’s more likely they don’t want to tie up a master tech who’s going to spend hours fault finding and not making the dealership any money in labour.
 
They were notified about the issue in October but couldn't get it booked in till November. The warranty ran out in December but they agreed in advance to fix it even after the warranty expired. I got it back again late December, issue still not fixed and they've had it since January and now two months later saying they still can't locate the issue.
 
BillHicksRIP said:
They were notified about the issue in October but couldn't get it booked in till November. The warranty ran out in December but they agreed in advance to fix it even after the warranty expired. I got it back again late December, issue still not fixed and they've had it since January and now two months later saying they still can't locate the issue.
Click to expand...

They don't have to agree to fix it outside the warranty. If it's reported while still covered they have to honour it no matter how long it takes. That's what the regulations say. There is no legal delay tactic which they can use.

They get I think two attempts to repair it. If they fail they should be refunding or replacing the car. There may also be a time limit on this.
 
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