2009 Volkswagen Scirocco TSi GT 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fast and stylish

Faults:

Nothing, but I have only had it six months.

General Comments:

The modern Scirocco is a very smart looking car. Blue with grey alloy wheels, I love this car.

Inside the interior is stylish and comfortable. Smooth ride when you want to cruise, yet firm suspension taking corners at speed, feels planted to the road.

2.0 petrol engine is fast with nearly 200 bhp but rubbish on fuel (37 mpg at best), but it is an older 2009 petrol car. I have heard the diesels are best avoided due to reliability issues, but would obviously be more economical fuel wise. Don't bother with the later 1.4 petrol - it is too slow and not what you buy a car like this for.

GT model is very well equipped with the expected electronics of the time.

Getting on a bit now, but still a great used buy, if a little expensive. Look for low mileage looked after cars and go for it - this is a fun car to have.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2023

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco GT 2.0 TSI 200PS turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great car let down by the customer service of Volkswagen UK

Faults:

The only problem has been the service plan. The car has been faultless.

General Comments:

The car is brilliant.

The cabin has space for four, and is comfortable for all.

The handling is excellent, and the suspension can be tuned to suit the road that you are traveling along. So when you want it to be comfortable, it can be.

The rear visibility is not great, I would certainly recommend the parking sensors!

Mine is returning around 38mpg, which is OK considering the performance.

Sadly the ownership of this fantastic car is blighted by Volkswagen UK Customer Services and their colleagues at VWFS.

I bought the car outright, but the dealer recommended a service plan. We discussed the service options; Longlife, where the car can travel for up to two years without service. Alternatively VW offer time and distance, here the car is serviced every year or 10000 miles. I asked the dealer to set my car to time and distance, despite anticipating a higher mileage. The dealer explained that I would pay more for the service plan, but I felt that this was a safer option, considering the car is sporty. I think the car needs more frequent oil changes than 24 months. The service plan was set up, and I was told when the car requests a service, simply take it to the nearest dealer, and they will service it, you won't need to pay. I took the car to the dealer after a year when the service indicator requested it. An hour later, the dealer telephoned to advise that Volkswagen refused to foot the bill, and so the car was not going to be serviced. I called VW Customer services, who passed me to Volkswagen Financial Services. They offered no assistance, simply telling me the car was wrong, and their computer was right. They could have the car "put right", but I did not want LONGLIFE SERVICING!!! I told them that I would not use the car until the problem was sorted.

I telephoned the supplying dealer. The dealer principal contacted Volkswagen. They told him that despite the brochure stating that they offer you the choice, they decided that as my mileage was anticipated to be over 10000 miles, they had decided it was going on Longlife. After much arguing, they finally admitted they were wrong, but rather than simply correcting the mistake, they issued a refund. This took three months to sort out.

If you decided to buy any Volkswagen, I would avoid Volkswagen Financial Services at all costs; they are rude. Unhelpful. Useless. They let the brand down badly. I have been a Volkswagen fan for over 20 years, and this debacle has actually made me doubt if I would buy another.

Volkswagen recently stated that they wanted to be the number one car manufacturer in the world. They want to top JD Power. I offer this advice from the point of view of your customer. Your cars are great, but sort the customer service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2011

29th Jan 2012, 11:07

For the same reason, I never opt for any extra services from car manufacturers or dealers.

18th Aug 2022, 13:20

I totally agree, buying new, nearly new, or used, you are far better off finding a cheaper independent garage elsewhere to take care of the car as the miles and age rises, when your original warranty ends. It just works out financially better.

With my Scirocco I bought nearly new from a franchised dealer (I will say no names!). They wanted me back for a "service package and extended warranty" all of which was very expensive and they really picked at the car, wanting to replace brake pads and tyres when there was plenty of life left in them, verified by a local trusted independent garage.

All my opinion and experience of course, living in the UK, don't know about elsewhere in the world, but I have never known anyone to get a good deal long term from mainstream dealerships regarding servicing and so on. Of course, they also rarely want you to own the car nowadays, and would rather you leased/changed every few years. But again when you do the math you are still better off owning a good used car and taking care of it yourself. The dealership deals only suit people who want a brand new car and no hassle. Fair enough if that is what you want - but you will pay for it, and then some.

22nd Jan 2023, 15:13

"Customer service" is a generic corporate phrase that basically means nothing nowadays. The company representatives are there to protect the company from YOU, in case you take legal action against THEM, not the other way around.