Dashcam footage of Audi S4 B8 3.0T Customer Car Abuse by VAG Technic in Dudley, UK

[Tman_]

I originally made a thread on another forum about my seized 3.0T engine
Below is a link to the dashcam footage of VAG Technic abusing my car, who had worked on it shortly before the engine seized and aren't interested in even inspecting their work.

Apologies if I've posted in the wrong section!

So, I originally found VAG Technic on YouTube and thought I'd give them a chance as they looked to be somewhat skilful and trying to make a name for themselves. I sent them my Audi S4 3.0T on 24th Aug 2021 for a timing job. Their quoted 2-4 weeks turned in to 8 and when I finally got the car back the engine was noisy and burning 2x more oil than previous to their work. I reported the issues multiple times to VAG Technic and they told me "it's normal" - sadly my engine ended up seizing 1505 miles after their work.

Over 2 months have passed since my engine failure, and I have not yet had the engine touched in hopes that VAG Technic would be able to accommodate me in their small shop, to at least properly inspect their work and parts but I've not had any luck. They've given me every excuse in the book from "We're too busy" to "We didn't touch the bottom end" to "Your car is modified" and my favourite "Waiting for official response from Audi about DECLINED warranty for your car"???

Per citizens advice I ended up sending them an official complaint detailing all my issues from delays, the unwanted flush which may be related to engine issues, their disinterest in inspecting work under warranty, and also my displeasure at the fact that my dashcam was disconnected outside of their shop opening hours, but not before recording them as they take my car off the trailer, rev it from cold and then going for a cheeky quick joy ride at over 70mph in a 30 zone.

They never even bothered to reply to my letter, so as a last ditch attempt to try and get some sort of action or compromise from them I uploaded and shared with them the footage of my dashcam and told them it's going public if they really want to rip me off, to let everyone know how they treat customer cars. After all, since when was a "test drive" even necessary before a timing job? It was clearly a joy ride without respect of customer property, they had no right to do that and even had the cheek to say to my face "just make sure you warm it up then the engine will last" when I collected my car.

There's their typical blasé response to seeing the footage, no doubt they've gotten away with this crap for too long this many times: clicky clicky
Funnily enough, the next thing I know I get a fraudulent copyright takedown notice by none other than VAG Technic, in attempt to try and suppress this footage showing them abusing a paying customer's car. Naturally I've submitted a counter-claim for fair use exception...

This was a prestigious well-known magazine featured car in excellent condition, around 85k miles. I treated my car with respect and spent a lot of time and money making sure it was always running well to maintain it's value and my pleasure for years to come. It really just rubs me the wrong way how these cowboys have taken the mickey at every step from start to finish, along with my £5000, and I'm now down another £7500 for a replacement engine, plus a likely loss in resell value of my car due to the fact that a big chunk of the engine service history is now irrelevant...

So here it is, I've uploaded to a bunch of sites to be shared on various forums, I'll admit it's nothing out-of-this-world crazy, but for what it's worth I just want to get the word out there about just another dodgy garage. The clip you see at the beginning is from their own video they made of my car which you can find on their YouTube channel by searching their company name.

Video mirrors are all linked here at https://linktr.ee/vagtechnicabuse
 

Edited January 26, 2022 by Tman_

[Steve123]

I have an RS6.      Six miles away from me is a main dealer. In between my house and this dealer are two independent Audi specialists. I am torn between all three of them.  My reservations about the main dealer is their almost inevitable inclination to discover faults in the car irrespective of those I ask them to deal with.  I am right in feeling this way ?

[Steve Q]

1 hour ago, Steve123 said:

I have an RS6.      Six miles away from me is a main dealer. In between my house and this dealer are two independent Audi specialists. I am torn between all three of them.  My reservations about the main dealer is their almost inevitable inclination to discover faults in the car irrespective of those I ask them to deal with.  I am right in feeling this way ?

Even if they find faults you don't have to have them repaired there. It's a tough decision. I'd be getting recommendations for each garage. 

[Steve123]

50 minutes ago, Steve Q said:

Even if they find faults you don't have to have them repaired there. It's a tough decision. I'd be getting recommendations for each garage. 

That’s very true. I hadn’t thought of that. The trouble is that I’ve kinda formed a friendship with the two independents, so I’d be feeling a bit awkward about doing what you suggest. I guess I’ll ask the wife to do it.

The funny thing is that yesterday I took my Aston into their works in Newport Pagnell for a service. The showroom and the staff are fabulous. I trust them implicitly.

[Steve Q]

If you've built up a rapport with them what's making you question it? 

[Steve123]

2 hours ago, Steve Q said:

If you've built up a rapport with them what's making you question it? 

You are probably quite right.

[Steve Q]

3 hours ago, Steve123 said:

You are probably quite right.

Regarding my question, I'd say don't ignore your instincts. If you feel something isn't right then you're probably not wrong! 

[Steve123]

14 hours ago, Steve Q said:

Regarding my question, I'd say don't ignore your instincts. If you feel something isn't right then you're probably not wrong! 

I am reasonably confident about one. Their main mechanic there is Polish. His knowledge about the RS cars is vast.  The trouble is, though, that their workshop is very unprepossessing, it is accessed via a very long unmade axle breaking road with a colossal amount of huge potholes, it is not possible ( if it has been raining ) to get out of the car without stepping into a very deep puddle. Not only that, but his car park is full of old Audis, VW Golfs and two Bentleys. This means that I have to leave my car partly on the verge of the lane that has huge lorries passing through it. One the upside, when my Bentley started displaying dash warning lights only about an hour before my buyer was due to collect it, he fixed it within moments.

The other garage is staffed and owned by twenty somethings who were unable to identify a noise that the engine of my RS 4 was making ; the first mentioned garage knew immediately what it was.   I guess that the choice is rapidly becoming obvious !

[Steve Q]

7 hours ago, Steve123 said:

I am reasonably confident about one. Their main mechanic there is Polish. His knowledge about the RS cars is vast.  The trouble is, though, that their workshop is very unprepossessing, it is accessed via a very long unmade axle breaking road with a colossal amount of huge potholes, it is not possible ( if it has been raining ) to get out of the car without stepping into a very deep puddle. Not only that, but his car park is full of old Audis, VW Golfs and two Bentleys. This means that I have to leave my car partly on the verge of the lane that has huge lorries passing through it. One the upside, when my Bentley started displaying dash warning lights only about an hour before my buyer was due to collect it, he fixed it within moments.

The other garage is staffed and owned by twenty somethings who were unable to identify a noise that the engine of my RS 4 was making ; the first mentioned garage knew immediately what it was.   I guess that the choice is rapidly becoming obvious !

I personally prefer experience over facilities. I personally find the polish very knowledgeable when it comes to vag cars. I speak from experience of seeing how many A6 2.5tdi like mine in eastern Europe that have been extensively modded. However most mechanics here don't have knowledge of modify my engine! 

As you've had a good experience with him before then that's where I'd be going despite the road in my opinion. 

[Steve123]

21 hours ago, Steve Q said:

I personally prefer experience over facilities. I personally find the polish very knowledgeable when it comes to vag cars. I speak from experience of seeing how many A6 2.5tdi like mine in eastern Europe that have been extensively modded. However most mechanics here don't have knowledge of modify my engine! 

As you've had a good experience with him before then that's where I'd be going despite the road in my opinion. 

I think you are correct. I’ll go back to the experienced guy.

[Steve Q]

1 hour ago, Steve123 said:

I think you are correct. I’ll go back to the experienced guy.

It's what I'd personally do. I know how you feel though as Im going to have to bite the bullet and get another garage take a look at my CCM as my garage don't do major electrical work which the car requires. I've put it off as I'm dreading taking it somewhere else. 

[Steve123]

17 hours ago, Steve Q said:

It's what I'd personally do. I know how you feel though as Im going to have to bite the bullet and get another garage take a look at my CCM as my garage don't do major electrical work which the car requires. I've put it off as I'm dreading taking it somewhere else. 

I’ve got a 1967 Triumph Herald estate which I use to take my four dogs to their walking places.  Two small local garages have said that they’ll service it if I get all the parts first !  Anyone know why that is ?

[Steve Q]

2 hours ago, Steve123 said:

I’ve got a 1967 Triumph Herald estate which I use to take my four dogs to their walking places.  Two small local garages have said that they’ll service it if I get all the parts first !  Anyone know why that is ?

That is more uncommon as most garages like to order the parts so they're fully covered I guess. My mechanic will usually order what my A6 needs unless it's more specialised or he can't get via is main sources. 

[Steve123]

Thanks for your response. I have heard of a garage about ten miles away where the senior partner has retired but he will return to work on older classics. I’ll try them. Cheers.