Volkswagen deemed car 'unrepairable' with a def system fault code

[jvanst]

This past week I received the low def fluid warning in my 2013 TDI Passat, pinging at me I only had ~250km until it would no longer start. After topping up the def fluid, and triple checking, I drove another 100km seeing if the engine light and def error would resolve itself. After no luck, and fearing the car wouldn't start, I took it into the dealership two days ago. Today I got word back from the dealer that Volkswagen Canada has determined my car is 'unrepairable', and I should be expecting a call with an offer to buy the car back from me. What the hell? The dealer initially reached out to Volkswagen Canada for information on the fault code, and that they know its computer/def related. Has anyone else experienced this, or have any advice?


Background info:
- Dealership is Leavens Volkswagen in London, Ontario
- 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0L, Highline, with ~210,000km
- Purchased the car 4 years ago second hand
- No other problems with the car since I purchased it

 

[turbobrick240]

Strange. If that happened at a dealership in the US, I'd suspect they were trying to scam you out of your car. But it sounds like they are having problems with parts availability. Don't take anything less than an extremely fair offer. It won't be cheap to replace.

 

[MrCypherr]

this is a common issue they have been having for awhile. Heard of a couple cars being bought back for this issue. Not a scam, just the fault cant really be fixed. Believe its a software issue that they arent really keen on spending time and money on.

 

[oilhammer]

They can be fixed.... forever. Ask a tuner, this is what a lot of CKRA owners have turned to.

 

[MrCypherr]

Well, if we are going that route, then yes, they can be fixed.

 

[Johhny04]

If you truly like your car and there is nothing else wrong with it, then I would ask for it back and go the route of tuner, help from a private shop. With you being located in London and also close to the Tri-Cities, there are alot of trusted private shops that should be able to assist you. Go to the Ontario forum section and look at the Trust Mechanic thread at the top.

 

[TurboABA]

Take the buyout and get yourself a '15 TDI to replace it.
Spend any time reading around here and you'll find tons of evidence of just how many owners are spending time (some over a year) in rentals or without a vehicle because their Passats are sitting at dealers waiting for unicorn parts. They will most likely offer you good coin for it, and given that the market is as such, you have the upper hand in "negotiations".

Keep us posted.

 

[MrCypherr]

Couldnt hurt to try and get into something newer. I might have a buddy thats looking to sell his 15 TDI golf if youre interested.

 

[jvanst]

Thanks for the helpful comments everyone! After almost two months of going back and forth with Volkswagen Canada I've accepted a credit towards a new vehicle. I was hoping to stick with a TDI after all of this, but they are offering thousands more in credit than I originally paid five years ago for my passat.

 

[TurboABA]

Nice.... will you be sharing the details?

 

[Golf Wang]

Wow what an awesome ending. Got paid to drive a car for 5 years. Hard to beat.

 

[Reggie2128]

I have a 215 vw sportwagen that I bought new in June 2017 after the fix, I’ve been waiting on a def tank since last October. I’ve been driving a loaner for last 3 months. Vw Canada is talking about buying my car back , I’m waiting for an offer, but not sure what to expect? I love my car 140000 klm, still like new

 

[TurboABA]

Expect to get screwed over. PM me with details and expectations if you wanna sell it. I'd consider buying it even in its current state once I know all the details.

 

[Reggie2128]

Thanks for the helpful comments everyone! After almost two months of going back and forth with Volkswagen Canada I've accepted a credit towards a new vehicle. I was hoping to stick with a TDI after all of this, but they are offering thousands more in credit than I originally paid five years ago for my passat.

What kind of formula did they use to come up with your offer? I’m expecting an offer sometime this week, but scared they’re going to try to lowball me.

 

[jvanst]

What kind of formula did they use to come up with your offer? I’m expecting an offer sometime this week, but scared they’re going to try to lowball me.

They quoted me at 'market value', so it really depends. I was able to negotiate a ~$12,000 credit towards a new or certified preowned volkswagen, OR $8000 cash. Last year when I was going through this process used car prices were absolutely insane. I negotiated with the volkswagen canada rep by sending sales listing of my exact year and make of car. From my experience they were very flexible on 'credit' towards another volkswagen, but not very much on the cash value.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

12,000 store credit vs 8,000 cash. Good indicator of how overpriced their inventory is.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Is this DEF system failure at all common in 2015 Sportswagens? Hope not.

 

[pedroYUL]

Is this DEF system failure at all common in 2015 Sportswagens? Hope not.

My understanding is that what is failing is the tank/heater, and yes, any DEF equipped car (according to others, of any brand) is susceptible to this failure, and then no parts available to fix.

 

[oilhammer]

Oh you can fix them.....

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Oh you can fix them.....

Are you joking or serious?

Let us raise a glass to the ALH engine.

 

[prsa01]

Are you joking or serious?

Let us raise a glass to the ALH engine.

I think OH meant

You can "fix" them....

 

[turbobrick240]

As in delete the emissions systems. Which probably wouldn't be the smartest move in Mass. Might not be best move in most states if they continue to crack down on tampering of that sort.

 

[oilhammer]

I can count on less than one finger how many TDI owners have been "cracked down on" since TDIs first came here in 1996.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

I can count on less than one finger how many TDI owners have been "cracked down on" since TDIs first came here in 1996.

Just the ones that failed smog or inspection, and had to unfix it.

 

[turbobrick240]

The odds of getting busted may not be high, but it's getting harder to find reputable mechanics and tuners willing to do deletes.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

My 2015 is subject to emissions inspection for at least another two years. Maybe more. Wouldn’t a DPF delete raise a red flag?

 

[Daemon64]

My 2015 is subject to emissions inspection for at least another two years. Maybe more. Wouldn’t a DPF delete raise a red flag?

if someone checks for it, yes... and with the newer crackdowns at the mass rmv on inspection stations a lot of times they're checking more directly. But there are still ways around everything, its just a little more difficult than it used to be

 

[x1800MODMY360x]

My 2015 is subject to emissions inspection for at least another two years. Maybe more. Wouldn’t a DPF delete raise a red flag?

You can tune just the DEF system out and keep the DPF, hell even do the Dynamic EGR will prolong the DPF life.

I say to do that if you can't delete the DPF.

 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I’ve read mixed reviews of the dynamic EGR thing.

I’m going to leave it alone.

 

[pkhoury]

I can count on less than one finger how many TDI owners have been "cracked down on" since TDIs first came here in 1996.

I once got pulled over and given a warning for having too much soot on my tailpipe. Turned out the cop wasn't doing much and just wanted to talk about my mods and whatnot. I can count here on more than one hand how many LEOs have talked about diesel deletes, or bragged about their own. Unless you're in CA, nobody cars if your TDI is deleted.