VW's definition of Inoperable?

lbsurf · Jan 5, 2017

Does anyone have a TDI that is not functioning 100%? I am currently waiting for my buyback offer letter (6 weeks). Today when I started my car, the flashing glow plug indicator light came on (2011 tdi Sportwagon 142,000miles). I lost most of my power as i could barely accelerate to 15-20mph at 2500rpm's and going up a hill was nearly impossible. I quickly returned home.
To make matters more interesting, I pulled the trigger on a new All Track over New Years. I am scheduled to pick up the car tomorrow. So, now I am worried about not getting my full Buyback $$.
To make matters more complicated I live well over an hour from the closest VW dealer. Not sure if VW would consider my car inoperable if I had it towed in? I don't feel safe driving it that far. I could tow it close and then drive the last few blocks? But I'm not sure what they are going to think of it?

Anyone dealing with anything like this?
thanks

grawk · Jan 5, 2017

towing it in hasn't been a problem for many people

if it will move at all, it should be ok, but you might get pushback

Rico567 · Jan 6, 2017

From the description in the OP, it sounds like the car can be driven under its own power. That remains the only condition for turn-in. There is no discretion given in the settlement to deny the buyback due to "how well" it drives. Nor does the anecdotal evidence in this forum of people turning in their cars reflect any such incident. Generally, the VW representative writes down the VIN and mileage, and that's that.

Worry less, etc.s

grawk · Jan 6, 2017

Rico567 said:
From the description in the OP, it sounds like the car can be driven under its own power. That remains the only condition for turn-in. There is no discretion given in the settlement to deny the buyback due to "how well" it drives. Nor does the anecdotal evidence in this forum of people turning in their cars reflect any such incident. Generally, the VW representative writes down the VIN and mileage, and that's that.

Worry less, etc.s

There is the example of the guy who had the engine fire who got turned away at his first appointment. I think it will work out for him, it just means there's the potential for headaches in the interim.

Freeze Plug · Jan 6, 2017

I am guessing that guy likely told them about the problem. There is NO way they would have otherwise known, since he said there was not exterior damage and the car can idle all day long. DO NOT disclose anything. if/when they say to start the car, let it idle, and that is all

atomicfront · Jan 6, 2017

lbsurf said:
Does anyone have a TDI that is not functioning 100%? I am currently waiting for my buyback offer letter (6 weeks). Today when I started my car, the flashing glow plug indicator light came on (2011 tdi Sportwagon 142,000miles). I lost most of my power as i could barely accelerate to 15-20mph at 2500rpm's and going up a hill was nearly impossible. I quickly returned home.
To make matters more interesting, I pulled the trigger on a new All Track over New Years. I am scheduled to pick up the car tomorrow. So, now I am worried about not getting my full Buyback $$.
To make matters more complicated I live well over an hour from the closest VW dealer. Not sure if VW would consider my car inoperable if I had it towed in? I don't feel safe driving it that far. I could tow it close and then drive the last few blocks? But I'm not sure what they are going to think of it?
Anyone dealing with anything like this?
thanks

Tow it to the dealers lot and then drive it a few feet and you are good to go. As long as it drives and you haven't taken parts out it doesn't matter if how fast it can drive. They just need to drive it as far as the car transport they have parked out back.

MBellantone · Jan 6, 2017

Very inconsequential and trivial question but:

I have monster mats in my car from day 1. The carpet mats have been under the cargo stow area from day 1.

Do I keep both sets? Leave one set? If so, which one?

I don't want to be greedy.

Mr. Furious · Jan 6, 2017

MBellantone said:
Very inconsequential and trivial question but:

I have monster mats in my car from day 1. The carpet mats have been under the cargo stow area from day 1.

Do I keep both sets? Leave one set? If so, which one?

I don't want to be greedy.

If you or someone you know has the ability to use one of the sets, keep the ones that suit your needs the most. If not, leave both. I plan on doing the latter.

k1xv · Jan 6, 2017

I am somewhat mystified about people wanting to keep things that they are likely to have no use for. In any event, one set of mats is enough. Even none would likely be OK. They are floor mats, not actually a part of the car itself. I would return whatever was original equipment that was not an extra cost option. Unless it is an accessory that they consider in computing the buy back value.

When I turned in my car, they got a used original tire that still had 5/32" of tread left. I had no use for it, so I put it in the trunk.

grawk · Jan 6, 2017

At the end of the day, I even left my hitch on the car. Not having more stupid stuff in my garage I'd never find a buyer for and never have a use for again was enough.

MBellantone · Jan 6, 2017

I would never take anything because I could. I'm assuming that both sets of mats would fit in the Alltrack that I ordered.

The dealer sells you the car the way it came from the factory. I didn't order the monster mats in my TDI but they came with them.

Who knows what I'll get with the Alltrack which will be coming in AFTER I turn my car in.

toasters · Jan 6, 2017

MBellantone said:
I would never take anything because I could. I'm assuming that both sets of mats would fit in the Alltrack that I ordered.

The dealer sells you the car the way it came from the factory. I didn't order the monster mats in my TDI but they came with them.

Who knows what I'll get with the Alltrack which will be coming in AFTER I turn my car in.

Your TDI might have come with Monster Mats, but you paid for them AND the original mats. It was likely a port add on and then added to the accessories portion of the window sticker.

You paid for them, but VW didn't take your accessories into account when they bought the vehicle back.

I left my hitch on because I couldn't find anyone who was interested. But, I have a friend with a GTI who will be getting my two sets of floor mats, trunk liner, and other misc accessories.

2015vwgolfdiesel · Jan 6, 2017

lbsurf said:
Does anyone have a TDI that is not functioning 100%? I am currently waiting for my buyback offer letter (6 weeks). Today when I started my car, the flashing glow plug indicator light came on (2011 tdi Sportwagon 142,000miles).

I lost most of my power as i could barely accelerate to 15-20mph at 2500rpm's and going up a hill was nearly impossible. I quickly returned home.

To make matters more interesting, I pulled the trigger on a new All Track over New Years. I am scheduled to pick up the car tomorrow. So, now I am worried about not getting my full Buyback $$.
To make matters more complicated I live well over an hour from the closest VW dealer. Not sure if VW would consider my car inoperable if I had it towed in? I don't feel safe driving it that far. I could tow it close and then drive the last few blocks? But I'm not sure what they are going to think of it?
Anyone dealing with anything like this?
thanks

5-6 years old car?
142,000 miles
What the hay

grawk · Jan 6, 2017

I did keep my cargo blocks, and if I were going to have another vw in the near term I'd have kept the monster mats

grawk · Jan 6, 2017

2015vwgolfdiesel said:
5-6 years old car?
142,000 miles
What the hay

some TDI owners are low mileage drivers.

Rico567 · Jan 6, 2017

grawk said:
There is the example of the guy who had the engine fire who got turned away at his first appointment. I think it will work out for him, it just means there's the potential for headaches in the interim.

This is not an "example," this is what is nowadays called an "outlier." and on any bell curve, there will always be outliers. Irrelevant to my point.

N41EF · Jan 6, 2017

When I turned mine in, they had me start it (she couldn't drive a manual), pull it forward from the parking spot, she took pictures both sides front and back, and the dash with the milage showing and the engine running. Then she asked me to back it into the parking spot where I had parked it.

I have a friend who trailered hers in because she had dropped insurance and registration. they had no issues.

grawk · Jan 6, 2017

Rico567 said:
This is not an "example," this is what is nowadays called an "outlier." and on any bell curve, there will always be outliers. Irrelevant to my point.

Outliers are examples, and mean that it's possible it may not go as it strictly should.

BlueGruff · Jan 6, 2017

toasters said:
You paid for them, but VW didn't take your accessories into account when they bought the vehicle back.

I left my hitch on because I couldn't find anyone who was interested. But, I have a friend with a GTI who will be getting my two sets of floor mats, trunk liner, and other misc accessories.

When I turned in my 2013 JSW, I kept the first aid kit. A family member was interested in the nav unit, monster mats, trunk organizer and 17 inch Porto wheels w/ spare tire kit, so I took out what they wanted. They had a 2009 base JSW. We swapped wheels and head unit so the car wouldn't look stripped. I told this to the buyback ambassador before turn in and he gave the green light.

halbert · Jan 6, 2017

It amazes me that this is still a question. Having one of the 'insurance totaled" vehicles, the official guideline is that it has to "start and move under it's own power". Period. Salvage title? Doesn't matter. Can someone get into the car, turn the key or push the start button and have the engine start? Can you put it in gear and have it move? Yes to both? You're good.

The Buyback specialist that I've talked to, as well as the ambassador at the dealer mine is going to on Feb 4 have both confirmed this..along with a phone assurance from one of the staffers at the class counsel office.

Trade Wind · Jan 6, 2017

halbert said:
Salvage title? Doesn't matter.

I think I know what you mean (recently salvaged title does not matter). But for clarity's sake, salvage title does matter for some owners. If car has a salvage title as of Sep 18, 2015 and car was acquired from a junk yard, the car is not eligible for buyback or restitution.

lbsurf · Apr 29, 2017

Just an update. My car wouldn't start the day I was to turn it in (2/21/17). It had been sitting in my driveway for about 7 weeks as I had purchased an Alltrack. I had it towed in. The rep would not take the trade in without the car starting. Long story short, the VW dealership ran a diagnostics check and determined that rodents had got in the engine compartment and chewed threw the wiring harness. Cost me $1700 and another 6 weeks before I was able to sell my car back. Now I'm in an appeal to try and recoup some of the $1700.
Just heard they released the 2015 leftover TDI's. Am I crazy to trade in my Alltrack for another TDI???? I'd be saving $50 a month in car payment

chasfos · May 1, 2017

Rico567 said:
From the description in the OP, it sounds like the car can be driven under its own power. That remains the only condition for turn-in. There is no discretion given in the settlement to deny the buyback due to "how well" it drives. Nor does the anecdotal evidence in this forum of people turning in their cars reflect any such incident. Generally, the VW representative writes down the VIN and mileage, and that's that.

Worry less, etc.s

Very well put. Printing this out and putting it in the glove box just in case I have any problems. I was desperate to turn mine in but circumstances have me still driving my 09 JSW. Check engine light P0401, leaking sunroof, again! 150,000 with original timing belt, over due DSG service. Really feels like a ticking time bomb waiting for the HPFP to blow up. Fingers crossed!

740GLE · May 1, 2017

lbsurf said:
Just an update. My car wouldn't start the day I was to turn it in (2/21/17). It had been sitting in my driveway for about 7 weeks as I had purchased an Alltrack. I had it towed in. The rep would not take the trade in without the car starting. Long story short, the VW dealership ran a diagnostics check and determined that rodents had got in the engine compartment and chewed threw the wiring harness. Cost me $1700 and another 6 weeks before I was able to sell my car back. Now I'm in an appeal to try and recoup some of the $1700.
Just heard they released the 2015 leftover TDI's. Am I crazy to trade in my Alltrack for another TDI???? I'd be saving $50 a month in car payment

All depends on how many miles you drive, if over 15K/yr yeah TDI is worth it if you can find one.

The alltrack is going to be costly to maintain, haladex plus front an rear diggs AND the DSG fluid changes at 40K are going to add up quick.

k1xv · May 1, 2017

My test of whether a car is "operable".........

Is this a car you would use to take a loved one 20 miles to a hospital emergency room in the middle of the night? Or would you not use it, because you were pretty sure you would never make it due to a break down?

VW's definition of Inoperable?

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