Dealer test-drive **A Warning To You All**

[Kev23]

Had my Kombi into the local VW dealer for EML light issue, i just received back today after around 10 days (2nd time) for some reason i decided to remove my SD card from my dashcam for a look, to my absolute horror i found my van was used for "the morning roll run" and worse of all it was captured going home for the weekend with some toolpiece who finds it acceptable to drive up the dual carriageway in excess of 90mph while talking on the phone, not even hands free( i know this as he makes a point of telling his caller he's in a strange vehicle and his hands free is not connected), Then follows up with, "wish people would get out of my way, this thing is a flying machine". then onto single carriageway in excess of 70mph (still on phone) overtakes a van at a bend, while stating to his caller "F***ing idiot van driver holding him up! He then goes to pick his mate up and do some business, while taking the van up forest roads etc to get there! luckily his mate was kind enough to say his name for the video, and the cockwomble even drove to his home address so i have that too..... The question is what to do with this information i have.. certainly won't be letting it go.. And the worse part... the bloody EML light came back on again after 13 miles...

 

[Nev-D]

Had my Kombi into the local VW dealer for EML light issue, i just received back today after around 10 days (2nd time) for some reason i decided to remove my SD card from my dashcam for a look, to my absolute horror i found my van was used for "the morning roll run" and worse of all it was captured going home for the weekend with some toolpiece who finds it acceptable to drive up the dual carriageway in excess of 90mph while talking on the phone, not even hands free( i know this as he makes a point of telling his caller he's in a strange vehicle and his hands free is not connected), Then follows up with, "wish people would get out of my way, this thing is a flying machine". then onto single carriageway in excess of 70mph (still on phone) overtakes a van at a bend, while stating to his caller "F***ing idiot van driver holding him up! He then goes to pick his mate up and do some business, while taking the van up forest roads etc to get there! luckily his mate was kind enough to say his name for the video, and the cockwomble even drove to his home address so i have that too..... The question is what to do with this information i have.. certainly won't be letting it go.. And the worse part... the bloody EML light came back on again after 13 miles...

Sorry but I would report it to the dealers because if there staff cannot take care of your expensive vehicle then they should not be driven it, needless to say that they even used it for their chores etc at the weekend and abused the van along the way, But all this happened when you thought that the van was safely tucked up at the dealers, I would even clock the mileage every time that you leave the van with them to check that they are not using it, When I was in the trade for myself every customers vehicle was guaranteed to stop at the garage unless I took it for a test drive myself and straight back to the garage and the customer would be informed about it as well

 

[True Romance]

Police it was as good as stolen. I'd be banging the dealers door down this morning asking for the MD. That's unbelievable!

 

[scotia]

i'd not be happy with that. I'd report it to the dealer and the dealer in question to VW UK.

There was a case similar to that here in Switzerland a while back - the garage felt it ok for the mechanic to take the car for the wknd including a trip to the gym with his gf.. unluckily the owner goes to the same gym!

in the end i seem to recall that they got a slap on the wrist as they came up with an excsuse that the modifications they had carried out needed to be 'run' to test..

 

[ZipcodeUK]

Them using you van aside, the idiot driving at hugely excessive speeds and using the phone (without hands free) would be the reason I’d present the dealer with the evidence and let them know that you’ll be reporting it to the police.

 

[Loz]

There was a video like this in the press last year.
Watchdog?

 

[bullracing]

I would do a little homework first in regards to recording without their knowledge. Its a crazy world we live in so please just contact a solicitor. They will see you for half hour free usually so contact a local legal advisor specialising in trading standards or road traffic.
Apart from that you did not give them permission to use your van and if they are breaking road traffic laws that is illegal. Go get them and take them to hell and back. You can also ask for compensation as your vehicle has been misused.

 

[Ads_Essex]

Whilst we know they need road-testing, we don’t want them abused. As nice as it is having someone remark that your van is a “flying machine” you don’t want them driving it like they’ve stolen it.
Yesterday’s crap driving by him could be today’s road-rage for you.

Whatever route you decide to take, make sure it starts with you telling the garage that you received a ticket... once that filters down the food chain, that’ll get the fitter worried.
Really, they’d have to provide you his name for the NIP - so at least the fitter would be having his collar felt for bringing disrepute to the garage.
I bet you’re glad you fitted the dash-can now!

 

[Neilson]

That's unbelievable! If he got caught speeding you'd be getting the ticket in the post. I'd be in the dealers with the manager having a serious word.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

I would do a little homework first in regards to recording without their knowledge. Its a crazy world we live in so please just contact a solicitor. They will see you for half hour free usually so contact a local legal advisor specialising in trading standards or road traffic.
Apart from that you did not give them permission to use your van and if they are breaking road traffic laws that is illegal. Go get them and take them to hell and back. You can also ask for compensation as your vehicle has been misused.

Surely the miscreant did the recording not the owner. The owner was not driving or present to turn the cam on, or operating it by remote control, so could not be blamed for that. Private cctv recording is still permissible within sensible limits AFAIK. Dash cams would have had legislation directed at them by now if they were not legal in any way. (other than position on windscreen in front of driver's view which is a general thing)

TWOC on the face of it if the plod get involved.

 

[Loz]

I took a previous car to a dealer for service and when I left it I said it has a tracker fitter that is monitored and that I would know if it was driven anywhere.

Now I have the ghost and at my service visit last week I put it into service mode and told them in no uncertain terms that they were welcome to test drive it up to 30mph but above that, they will get stranded and have to answer to why.

 

[Ayjay]

I do not believe that you should let this go BUT dealerships are almost always part of much larger groups and I reckon that's where your complaint should be aimed (as well a to the police). On the basis that your experience is unlikely to be an isolated one, such things probably happen with the full knowledge / complicity of management at that particular branch. Their response will likely be to make all the right noises to you whilst trying to sweep the whole thing under the carpet and that's something that I would hope a corporate HQ would not do. Also, they should be named and shamed.

 

[Scruffy]

That is absolutely appalling. Any chance of mentioning the dealership involved? It may help put pressure on the dealers if they are aware many other VW owners know of the incident.

 

[ei-aprilia]

I do not believe that you should let this go BUT dealerships are almost always part of much larger groups and I reckon that's where your complaint should be aimed (as well a to the police). On the basis that your experience is unlikely to be an isolated one, such things probably happen with the full knowledge / complicity of management at that particular branch. Their response will likely be to make all the right noises to you whilst trying to sweep the whole thing under the carpet and that's something that I would hope a corporate HQ would not do. Also, they should be named and shamed.

I agree, kick up a stink at the dealers for sure and go to the police with the video. Naming and shaming the dealer too would be beneficial to other Scottish van owners myself included.

 

[hmluk]

On the basis that Thistle Inspection Solutions are based in Aberdeen, one can probably guess who the local dealer is.

 

[Spaghetti]

Wow. That’s disgusting behaviour. Unacceptable.

 

[Teesix]

Speak to a solicitor, see what grounds you have to sue them.

 

[XZO]

I would see a solicitor and go to the police before going to the dealer.

Let us know what happens.

 

[Kevin]

Dealers are part of such big groups now. So cold and no human factor. Get what you get sort of attitude. As for the camera I would show it to the dealer. Test driving they should know the dash cams could be working. After all I bet they have cameras all around there buildings recording you.

 

[Insert Coin]

Involve the police? really?!

It's not unusual for mechanics, usually senior techs, to take a vehicle home to try and replicate a fault.

But they should ask your permission, they shouldn't let the tea boy drive it to McDonald's to get lunch obviously.

I'd certainly complain, tell them you're very peeved off about it and then depending on how they react I'd consider my next option/s.

Best case scenario is the driver gets a severe bollocking, you get a free service and everybody walks away reasonably happy.

Worst case and the dealer doesn't play ball then shame them on social media and see if VW are happy with the conduct of one of their main dealers.

But involving the police? just no, that's just crazy talk.