So I have a buyback scheduled tomorrow under the new process. My car has a rod knock but runs. I am having it towed in and called ahead to tell the dealership so they were ready for it. They guy says why are you towing it in , it has to run to do the buyback. I said yes it has to drive thru the parking lot and he said no my guys have to be able to drive it to a storage lot 1-2 miles away or we wont take it. He said he has final say on whether to buyback the car or not. I said no as long as it moves under its own power then it has to be bought back. He disagreed. Anybody had any experience lately w what is going on.
New buyback process
- Thread starter Motodude
- Start date
GoFaster
Moderator at Large
"How much", "how well", and "how long" it has to run under the power of its own TDI engine was never defined in the legal documents and is therefore subject to interpretation.
Most people have been reporting that the dealer may drive it across the parking lot or some such thing, at most. Most people report that they just start it up and if it starts, they stop it and that's it.
Most people have been reporting that the dealer may drive it across the parking lot or some such thing, at most. Most people report that they just start it up and if it starts, they stop it and that's it.
Yes I have turned in about 8 so far and some they didnt even start. Others started and turned off, the most has been back up from parking spot and move back to parking spot. What this guy is saying is totally different his guys need to be able to drive 1-2 miles away to a storage lot. And the same dealership I have turned them all into. But have never dealt w this guy or the new process.
aja8888
Top Post Dawg
If it runs OK with the rod knock, replace what's in the crankcase with 50 weight oil and let them have it.
TDIforDays
Veteran Member
You already flipped 8 cars, why are you so anal? Should not even called.
By VW rules, the car must drive forward OR reverse 5 feet. Thats what they ask you to do during video chat.
Also, rod knock won't stop it from being driven 2 miles... these engines are pretty strong.
By VW rules, the car must drive forward OR reverse 5 feet. Thats what they ask you to do during video chat.
Also, rod knock won't stop it from being driven 2 miles... these engines are pretty strong.
Not into anal. haha . Just wondering how much new buyback system has changed. Its hard to keep up w any of it now. The other 8 were all done the old way. Last car and Im all done w/ this wonderful tdi adventure. The only reason I called is because the others I have done they did everything before I even got there and it took 2 minutes once I was there for signatures.
Rico567
Top Post Dawg
There is no "new buyback system." The interpretation of an acceptable condition for buyback was changed when Judge Breyer ruled about the various kinds of "stripped" cars that were being turned in. This has resulted in some rejections for cars lacking the nav/radio head unit or etc. However, I am unaware of any ruling that establishes a condition of "1-2 driven miles." This would assume -given the description in the OP- that your payment would be held until the car had been driven this distance. This all sounds quite dubious and problematic to me, just some guy at the dealership shooting off his mouth.
Jimbo70
Veteran Member
What exactly was the point of calling the dealer?
New system meaning it was a buyback specialist and now it is an employee of the dealership that gets someone from corporate on a video and they go thru the car on video so the process is totally different then it was the last time I did one.
I had all my other cars towed in, called ahead and let them know and they did all the steps(pics of car, papwerwork all ready when I got there, everything done but my signatures) so it only took 2-3 minutes when I got there to complete signatures. Made the whole process much faster and smoother.
Jimbo70
Veteran Member
Ah. That is the missing piece of the puzzle. Now that they've gotten through the bulk of the returns, they're no longer utilizing buyback specialists. Since the volume of returns has had to have subsided, they're choosing to be pickier with the returns.
TDIforDays
Veteran Member
So how did it go today???
2010TDI
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2011
- Location
- USA
- TDI
- 2010 Jetta Sedan TDI 6MT, 2010 Jetta SportWagen TDI DSG (sold), 2014 Jetta Sedan TDI DSG (sold), 2015 Golf SportWagen TDI DSG
There is nothing in the settlement that sets a distance requirement for the vehicle being operable. The settlement states that a vehicle must be "operable" and then defines that as "a vehicle that can be driven under its own 2.0-liter TDI engine power." It is also worth noting that the requirement of the 2.0-liter settlement seems to set a lower bar than that of the 3.0-liter settlement which requires that " a vehicle can be driven under its own 3.0-liter TDI engine power and is in reasonable condition such that it can be driven lawfully and safely on public roads, even if it has a mechanical issue that can be repaired, under a common-sense understanding of what is an acceptable condition for driving."
I've seen other discussions of a random mileage being imposed to complete a buyback, but I have not seen anyone talk about an actual challenge (and resolution) to a denied buyback due to a driving distance "requirement."
Went in and they took it off the tow truck, guy told me it needed to be moved into specific parking spot. Did it but that doesnt count as the car driving under its own power. Went inside got on both the phone and video and took pics of drivers license title and asked me questions like my name and type of car. Then went outside and they ask me to start car and drive 5 feet backward and 5 feet forward. Did that and turned car off right away but then the gal from VW on video ask me to turn car on again so got worried but started it again and she was good w/ that so turned it off, went inside and signed and they video all that and ask some more questions and then we were done.
ddhd
Well-known member
Help
I'm doing the buy back for my 2013 Jetta.
Problem is my inspection is now expired and the check engine light just came on.
Will this be a problem when I surrender the car.
It runs great.
Thanks
I'm doing the buy back for my 2013 Jetta.
Problem is my inspection is now expired and the check engine light just came on.
Will this be a problem when I surrender the car.
It runs great.
Thanks
roni024
Veteran Member
Expired inspection: no big deal.
Check engine light on: not sure due to VW's recent tightening of standards for buy-back cars. Best option, clear the light before going in.
Check engine light on: not sure due to VW's recent tightening of standards for buy-back cars. Best option, clear the light before going in.
ddhd
Well-known member
Great
Is there a "trick" way to clear the light without VCDS?
Thanks for the reply
Is there a "trick" way to clear the light without VCDS?
Thanks for the reply
Last edited:
TDIforDays
Veteran Member
You are absolutely fine. Check engine does not matter at all.
roni024
Veteran Member
Most auto parts stores will scan your check engine light for you for free, but they are not allowed to clear the codes. However, if you seem trustworthy, or if the parts counter is too busy to send someone out to scan your car, you may be able to convince them to let you do it yourself with their scan tool. Then, you can just clear it.
GoFaster
Moderator at Large
Reminder folks. If the car is going to buyback, it just has to "run" and it has to not be "stripped". It doesn't matter if the instrument panel is lit up like a Christmas tree with warnings.
The car came with wheels. It has to have wheels. They don't have to be the original wheels. It has to have tires. They can be worn out.
The car came with a radio. It has to have a radio. It doesn't have to work, or even to be the original one.
The car came with doors, fenders, bumper covers, seats, etc. It has to have doors, fenders, bumper covers, seats, etc. They can be dented or cracked or scraped - as long as they are "there".
The car came with wheels. It has to have wheels. They don't have to be the original wheels. It has to have tires. They can be worn out.
The car came with a radio. It has to have a radio. It doesn't have to work, or even to be the original one.
The car came with doors, fenders, bumper covers, seats, etc. It has to have doors, fenders, bumper covers, seats, etc. They can be dented or cracked or scraped - as long as they are "there".
My car I turned on yesterday had every light on the panel lit up and I had much smaller tires on it then supposed to because tires were newer and i gave them to my friend. It did have original rims and stereo. It had dents all over it, missing plastic pieces and the inside was trashed. It had been sitting for 7 months so had spider webs, bird poop, rat poop, you name all over it. All it needs to do is start and move 5 feet both directions. You dont have to worry about check engine light
This is why I've seen a GSW SEL for sale with 17 inch wheels and a 2015 Golf with beetle wheels. Either they were turned in that way or maybe the dealer swapped on some alloys for trashed wheels.
NYS inspection is only a problem if you get pulled over, however your registration must be current. check engine has no impact on buyback
Rico567
Top Post Dawg
The answer to your question might depend on whose posts you believe. If you believe the legal settlement, the answer = NO.