MK5 Golf GTI

General => Random Chat => Topic started by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 10:42:33 am

Title: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 10:42:33 am
My mk5 is going into Sevonoaks VW to have the wings replaced, they have said that they can only give me a Fox as a courtesy car for a week.

I ideally want something bigger for work as i need to carry some equipment. How could i persuade them to give me a bigger car?
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: sub39h on July 11, 2012, 11:06:16 am
you could try telling them you need the space to carry some equipment for work?

my dealer has never had  a problem giving me a car suited to my needs
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 11:24:39 am
I did, but they said they only have Fox's as courtesy cars, but not sure if they are lying or not.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Apollo on July 11, 2012, 11:32:10 am
They can easily use a demonstrator vehicle for you.

My usual way froward is to say if you want my business you provide me with a like for like vehicle or better.

Funny how they soon find a vehicle....or you can find another dealer?
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 11:34:20 am
They can easily use a demonstrator vehicle for you.

My usual way froward is to say if you want my business you provide me with a like for like vehicle or better.

Funny how they soon find a vehicle....or you can find another dealer?

I might try this, but as this dealer is quite far away from house (the nearest dealer with a body shop) I don't want to go further away.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 11, 2012, 11:51:18 am
I doubt they'll give you a bigger car if you say you need it to lug loads of equipment around, that's for sure!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Tamiyoman on July 11, 2012, 11:57:50 am
MY car was in for warranty work last week, Tuesday morning through to Friday afternoon (for warranty work on paint, rear tailgate) and they gave me a Candy White Bluemotion Golf Convertible for 4 days, in the (very small) boot was the the price tag so they can deffo use demonstrators or possibly used cars (was not sure which that was as it was a 61 plate and had done 7k miles).

Personally I would tell them you need a bigger vehicle as you have family and they are not going to fit in the fox.

 
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 11, 2012, 12:17:22 pm
I had a Scirocco for a few weeks, and when I returned it they told me they had sold it a few days ago! Someone had test drove it prior to me borrowing it, and had been negotiating while I had it.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 02:24:38 pm
Just phoned them and said i need a bigger car as I have a family and now they are saying a Polo is the biggest car they have and I might not even get that as its already booked out at the moment.  :sad1:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: edd666999 on July 11, 2012, 02:29:08 pm
Just phoned them and said i need a bigger car as I have a family and now they are saying a Polo is the biggest car they have and I might not even get that as its already booked out at the moment.  :sad1:

i just tell them i need a DSG car, they have given me golfs, Passats...well anything thats DSG.

If your car is manual however your gong to fail massively  :grin:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: sub39h on July 11, 2012, 02:35:29 pm
Just phoned them and said i need a bigger car as I have a family and now they are saying a Polo is the biggest car they have and I might not even get that as its already booked out at the moment.  :sad1:

i just tell them i need a DSG car, they have given me golfs, Passats...well anything thats DSG.

If your car is manual however your gong to fail massively  :grin:

i did that at Audi once and they gave me a brand new A6 S-Line!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 02:54:32 pm
Just phoned them and said i need a bigger car as I have a family and now they are saying a Polo is the biggest car they have and I might not even get that as its already booked out at the moment.  :sad1:

i just tell them i need a DSG car, they have given me golfs, Passats...well anything thats DSG.

If your car is manual however your gong to fail massively  :grin:

lol unfortunately my car is a manual
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: skard on July 11, 2012, 03:01:23 pm
When mine went in the only car they had was a brand new A1 TFSI with Audi Sport decals all over it!

But I took it anyway and enjoyed seeing the Marmite reactions from passers-by.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Bane on July 11, 2012, 03:11:41 pm
I had a Scirocco for a few weeks, and when I returned it they told me they had sold it a few days ago! Someone had test drove it prior to me borrowing it, and had been negotiating while I had it.

If I had bought it,I would want a further discount for the extra mileage,or at the very least free servicing!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 11, 2012, 03:14:39 pm
Everyone seems like they have all the good courtesy cars, why do i get stuck with the rubbish ones :(
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: skard on July 11, 2012, 03:18:32 pm
Everyone seems like they have all the good courtesy cars, why do i get stuck with the rubbish ones :(

In fairness the A1 had a 'top spec' stereo that wouldn't even turn on as I think the ipod dock crashed it.

Previous time I put my Golf into VW I got a 1.2 Polo!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: lm_gauci on July 11, 2012, 05:06:06 pm
I had the opposite happen to me. My polo went in for some work and i got given a Passat, perfect for a quick dump run  :happy2:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 11, 2012, 06:47:01 pm
I had a Scirocco for a few weeks, and when I returned it they told me they had sold it a few days ago! Someone had test drove it prior to me borrowing it, and had been negotiating while I had it.

If I had bought it,I would want a further discount for the extra mileage,or at the very least free servicing!

I think it's unlikely they ever knew about it.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: dan1985 on July 11, 2012, 07:13:15 pm
Took my R32 in to VW on Monday and had arranged to get a Passat CC as a courtesy car the previous week as I would be using it for the 300 mile each way journey for work, was told to get there early to guarantee getting it.

Turned up at 7:30 only to find I had the choice of a 1.2 tdi polo or a skoda citigo  :confused:

Opted for the polo and its dreadful, a massive 2 litres less than my golf, half the amount of cylinders, quarter of the power and the ride height of a tractor, Its actually dangerous as it needs abusing through the gears to get up to speed of traffic.

On the plus side it got 61.9mpg and cost just over £15 to do 300 motorway miles
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: rdfcpete on July 11, 2012, 07:57:23 pm
I never had anything other than 9N3 Polo 1.2's (without remote locking  :sad1: ) when mine was in for warranty work, was I missing out?!  :grin:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Edition30 on July 11, 2012, 09:46:28 pm
Echoing what others have said, I worked for a dealership for a year or so and if you stand your ground you can easily take any car with tax on site.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Carla77 on July 11, 2012, 10:26:44 pm
Everyone seems like they have all the good courtesy cars, why do i get stuck with the rubbish ones :(

Me too - Was originally offered a Honda Jazz but it didn't have isofix for the kids car seats so instead I was offered a SEAT Ibiza estate....dire car!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Edition30 on July 11, 2012, 11:05:58 pm
It seems if its just a day or so that your car is in the garage you don't get much choice. My Golf had to have a new engine in which was a 2 week wait. Tried fobbing me off with a Polo, rang up and complained and then a brand new Jetta arrived shortly after.

Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Greeners on July 11, 2012, 11:35:43 pm
I don't get it, they are giving you a car out of 'courtesy'!! Who cares if it's a Fox or a Toureg. Surely if it's only for a day or two we could cope with a bit of restricted space?!?!?  :fighting2:

Try getting your stuff on a Bus!  :laugh:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: rich83 on July 12, 2012, 12:49:27 am
" .... Hey Mr VW manager. I wonder if you can give me a bigger courtesy car, I need to fill it full of stuff for work!"

..... Can't see that washing!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: simonp on July 12, 2012, 03:39:02 am
I got an Up! last time. Never drove it though, as it was the missus who dropped my car at the dealer and I had no desire to have a go in it. Silly moo put a tenner's worth of petrol in it which is probably enough for about 200 miles!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 12, 2012, 07:56:26 am

I don't get it, they are giving you a car out of 'courtesy'!! Who cares if it's a Fox or a Toureg. Surely if it's only for a day or two we could cope with a bit of restricted space?!?!?  :fighting2:


....I agree!

Anyway, it makes you appreciate your own car better when you get it back.

My courtesy cars have ranged from a Yaris Yuk to a fully loaded Audi S4 Avant. The standard among VW dealers currently is a Polo - You could do a lot worse!

Saw a bright red VW Up the other day and thought it would be interesting to try out. Perhaps its pretty brunette driver had something to do with that thought.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 10:00:46 am
I've got a 1.0 Polo today. Can't complain but I'd have preferred an Up! I'm sure you just get bog standard cars for regular service appointments, and better ones for prolonged periods.

Got totally ensnared by the black 5 door R they have in the showroom though. Really is perfect.

Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: simonp on July 12, 2012, 10:34:47 am
My local had a white R with black wheels when I was in there. Only £29K, so it must've been ex demo with some miles on it...
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 12, 2012, 11:50:51 am

Got totally ensnared by the black 5 door R they have in the showroom though. Really is perfect.


....Just for you, Andrew:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FGolfR_black.jpg&hash=9c65b91e8b1fca7bff99d8d2938b5714e01b08f2)
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 12:26:31 pm
Don't do it Robin, I'm already tempted as it is!

Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ewang33 on July 12, 2012, 12:30:24 pm
I had a day with an Up also, surprisingly impressed with the little thing.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 12, 2012, 12:37:03 pm
I had a day with an Up also, surprisingly impressed with the little thing.

The interior looks great in it.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: ams_sxi on July 12, 2012, 04:27:20 pm
I don't get it, they are giving you a car out of 'courtesy'!! Who cares if it's a Fox or a Toureg. Surely if it's only for a day or two we could cope with a bit of restricted space?!?!?  :fighting2:

Try getting your stuff on a Bus!  :laugh:

my car is going to be in the garage for at least a week. Plus i have to go to a wedding and my family won't fit in a fox, so that now means I will have to hire a car!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Greeners on July 12, 2012, 05:11:54 pm
I don't get it, they are giving you a car out of 'courtesy'!! Who cares if it's a Fox or a Toureg. Surely if it's only for a day or two we could cope with a bit of restricted space?!?!?  :fighting2:

Try getting your stuff on a Bus!  :laugh:

my car is going to be in the garage for at least a week. Plus i have to go to a wedding and my family won't fit in a fox, so that now means I will have to hire a car!

Have you thought about delaying the car going in for a week????
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Bane on July 12, 2012, 10:24:30 pm

Got totally ensnared by the black 5 door R they have in the showroom though. Really is perfect.


....Just for you, Andrew:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FGolfR_black.jpg&hash=9c65b91e8b1fca7bff99d8d2938b5714e01b08f2)

Nice Beetle. :P
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Oli on July 12, 2012, 10:43:07 pm
I'm taking the ED35 in tomorrow to cure a rattle and a steamed up fog light. As long as they give me something to get back to work I'll be happy - its free!

I'll never forget when the DSG box went on my R32 when it was only approx six months old. It took a month to get the box. They gave me a diesel skoda Octavia estate DSG. Bog standard model. It was great, did 50plus to the gallon and I could park it wherever I wanted!

We run courtesy vehicles at work and what pisses me off is customers think the fuel is free!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: john87 on July 13, 2012, 12:35:28 pm
When my golf was in for warranty work I was given a Polo 1.2 3cylinder - was a laugh if a little frustrating, but then again I can't complain at the fuel saving and the fact it was a free car! Unlike Honda who used to insist on me adding the courtesy cars to my own insurance  :mad: stingey buggers...
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 13, 2012, 12:40:59 pm
We run courtesy vehicles at work and what pisses me off is customers think the fuel is free!

I guess it depends what you're used to. Strangely VW have never asked me to replace the fuel in the courtesy cars they've lent me.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: skard on July 13, 2012, 12:49:55 pm
I had to fill the tank so that the fuel gauge back to where it was when I got my wings done recently - or pay £2 a litre to get it there if handed back under the level.

Previous time I also had to take it back at the same level, different dealer.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 13, 2012, 02:48:49 pm

I had to fill the tank so that the fuel gauge back to where it was when I got my wings done recently - or pay £2 a litre to get it there if handed back under the level.

Previous time I also had to take it back at the same level, different dealer.


....It's totally normal and good manners to return ANY vehicle you have either hired or borrowed to the same fuel level as it was when you took it.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: wigit on July 13, 2012, 03:05:27 pm
unfortunately Robin manners is something that is seriously lacking in our society these days
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 13, 2012, 03:16:24 pm
It's good manners if you are specifically asked to fill it up, but if not then I don't think you're committing any moral crime.

I was once asked not to bother filling a courtesy car back up after I had finished with it...
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: skard on July 13, 2012, 03:24:11 pm
....It's totally normal and good manners to return ANY vehicle you have either hired or borrowed to the same fuel level as it was when you took it.

Well thankfully I do have good manners and always replace fuel - whether the car's borrowed from a company or a friend.

Even when my local VW smashed my windscreen and lost my tax disc to the wind I still refilled their poxy Polo.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 13, 2012, 03:29:43 pm

It's good manners if you are specifically asked to fill it up, but if not then I don't think you're committing any moral crime.

I was once asked not to bother filling a courtesy car back up after I had finished with it...


....Fair enough if you are specifically and generously told you need not replace any fuel.

Morality and good manners are entirely unrelated to each other.

Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: andrewparker on July 13, 2012, 03:44:21 pm


Morality and good manners are entirely unrelated to each other.



Jesus, you don't want to wade into that discussion!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Oli on July 13, 2012, 07:26:23 pm
My car was in today for a couple of small warranty problems. I got an 11 plate jetta TDI SE. Not charged for it, just refilled the fuel.

It's the 2/3rd time I've taken a car into caffyns Goring and I must say there customer service is excellent.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: simonp on July 14, 2012, 07:34:05 am
Most places I've been to charge £10-15 for insurance and then give you a scabby car where the needle on the fuel gauge is bending over the end stop at the empty end of its scale!
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Frodo-anni on July 14, 2012, 05:21:37 pm
Always been greatful to have a loan car during a service, it means i dont have to take time off work, so whether it be an Up, polo, golf, it gets me to work and back  :happy2:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Greeners on July 14, 2012, 08:15:00 pm
Always been greatful to have a loan car during a service, it means i dont have to take time off work, so whether it be an Up, polo, golf, it gets me to work and back  :happy2:

Agreed!  :happy2:
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Apollo on July 14, 2012, 08:17:52 pm
Always been greatful to have a loan car during a service, it means i dont have to take time off work, so whether it be an Up, polo, golf, it gets me to work and back  :happy2:
Your giving the garage your service, they are taking your money and a damn lot of it as well. I would never take my car to a dealership that didn't offer a free car for me to use whilst they tallied up the impending bill!

That said I would happly use a good independent without a courtesy car. This keeps their costs down.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 14, 2012, 08:58:27 pm

Always been greatful to have a loan car during a service, it means i dont have to take time off work, so whether it be an Up, polo, golf, it gets me to work and back  :happy2:


Agreed!  :happy2:


.... x 2  :happy2:

Even when it was a free Toyota Yaris - The very worst and most stressful car I have ever driven in over 40 years! They were having a joke with me though and have pretended my loaner is going to be a Yaris ever since! I can't complain - I get well looked after across the board.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 14, 2012, 09:02:45 pm

Your giving the garage your service, they are taking your money and a damn lot of it as well. I would never take my car to a dealership that didn't offer a free car for me to use whilst they tallied up the impending bill!

That said I would happly use a good independent without a courtesy car. This keeps their costs down.


....I can't help thinking that's a contradiction. Why can a dealership afford any better to be able to loan a free car? Dealerships are also commercial businesses with financial overheads.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: Apollo on July 14, 2012, 09:38:52 pm

Your giving the garage your service, they are taking your money and a damn lot of it as well. I would never take my car to a dealership that didn't offer a free car for me to use whilst they tallied up the impending bill!

That said I would happly use a good independent without a courtesy car. This keeps their costs down.


....I can't help thinking that's a contradiction. Why can a dealership afford any better to be able to loan a free car? Dealerships are also commercial businesses with financial overheads.

Dealerships have the ability to recoup cash in other areas such as selling parts oh and overpricing on the car in the first place. An independent is solely a repairer and usually only a one place org, not a network.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: RedRobin on July 14, 2012, 09:45:08 pm
^^^^
Yes, I take your point, but personally I view every business, regardless of size, as a 'people- business' and am grateful for any assistance.
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: dmac1969 on July 21, 2012, 08:35:28 pm
I've been promised my dealers 12 plate Ed35 DSG in Candy White demo car when my GTI goes in for the wing rust!  :happy2: I had a Polo 1.2 the last time in CW , absolute base spec , wasnt too bad once I'd got used to it , and had half a tank of fuel in (which I replaced before dropping it off - oh and I even cleaned it!). I wonder if they will give me a Scirocco at any point , I'd like to know if I could open the doors of one in my single garage and get out easily , quiet fancy a Scirocco R at some point but it will be useless if I can't use my garage! (I wouldnt leave a toy car out on the street where I live)
Title: Re: VW Courtesy Car
Post by: DanGB on July 23, 2012, 12:25:01 pm
Couple of years back, I took my 10 year old lupo for Warranty work at VW Sevenoaks and they gave me a brand new 1.4 Polo DSG  :P