Small compression problem leads to a huge engine overhaul and R40K bill

Item: Hatfield VW
Rating: 1

I took my VW Polo into the Rivonia Hatfield VW, to have it inspected as it was losing power and sounded odd. Little did I know that I was creating problems for myself. As soon as my vehicle was booked in it took about 3 days for the service tehnician to tell me that he couldn't see what was the problem on their diagnostic machine, which cost about R3,500, so he had to investigate further, this would require he strip the car's engine. I agreed, because they I reckoned they knew more than I do about cars... after about another two days (take note, this is now 5 days without a car or transport) trying to find out what was wrong with my vehicle, the technician comes back to me and says that he has found the problem, the three cylinders/pistons were finished and it was running on one and that why it wasn't as fast and to repair, it would cost me about R38,700? The shock of hearing such a huge quote left me weak and numb, I promptly asked him to not continue any further with the job, while I called around to see if I can make a plan. Luckily through someone, I found a mechanic who told me that it would cost just under R10,000 to do the very same job - and her further said the stripping of the engine was unnecessary. So I arranged to have my vehicle towed, (after about 8days without a car now) from the dealership, as the engine had been stripped and put in boxes, what was frustrating was that I was able to drive this car into the dealership, and now it was undrivable, I had also asked himprior to my arrival to put the engine together as I intended to take it elsewhere. I get to the dealership and wait an hour for my vehicle to be released, upon seeing as this wasn't going to happen I demanded to see the service floor manager, whom I told about the appalling treament, when he had a look at the quoted invoice, even he was shocked at the very hefty quotation, at this point he turns to the technicians and said this engine can be fixed for 15k, including that R3,500 for the diagnostics test, why did they charge me so much???? It turns out that they had charged me for an all new engine overhaul with new parts which I hadn't asked for and without having checked with me or explaining the whole job to me? Today nearly three weeks in, I have no car and they're not even bothered as to how I get around, this experience has shown me that VWSA doesnt care about customers as I contacted them to complain and tell them how unsatisfied I was, in future, I plan to stay far from the VW brand, and once this car is fixed, I will be selling it, I am sure other car brands offer a far more reputable service and they wouldnt leave me without a vehicle for almost a month when they're in the wrong.

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