Audi/VWFS PCP Voluntary Termination

[Sacha1dog]

I completed the form to VT my Audi on 19 April, and having called them, they confirm receipt and processed on 20 April. Since then, 10 days, I’ve heard nothing. Every time I call, they say that they are processing, COVID is causing delays, and I still hear from BCA in due course.

How long should I have to wait? The MOT is due on 20 May, plus a huge service on the same date. It’s not due right now, but I want to get rid of the vehicle obviously before the warning lights start, and the MOT is required.

is there anything I should be doing to speed up the process? Do I still have to get the service and MOT done if, say, they drag it out for a few more weeks?

[Sacha1dog]

Just wondered if anyone had any comments on this? It’s been over 2 weeks now, pretty much the same lack of response from VWFS, and numerous calls from myself.

i wrote to them today giving using one of Robs templates giving them 14 days notice that I would sell the vehicle given that they hadn’t done anything to confirm their position. They say that they will confirm back in writing within 5 days. I’ve received nothing.

The big service is now due in 14 days. What are my rights about that specifically, since I am supposed to have the car pass the inspection, which has no sign of happening any time soon.

[jeffster247]

If I were you I would ring them and ask what's going on. Whenever I spoke to VWFS about VT they were efficient and helpful

[Sacha1dog]

Thank you for your comments.

Since 23rd April, I have called them 5 times. Each time I speak to them, they simply say that there are delays due to an unprecedented level of demand, and it is all in hand. I just need to wait.

they’re very polite, but ineffective.

[jeffster247]

So call them and explain the situation, and that you don't want to be liable for MOT , service cost and any additional payments . Say that you'd like it in writing that anything after 19th April is their responsibility. If they refuse ask them to justify why not. .

[Sacha1dog]

For anyone who is interested in this..

My 7th call to them was today. A very helpful girl looked into the case, and said that nobody has actually done anything about the VT process. She was extremely helpful, very apologetic and has raised an "escalated" complaint, whatever that means. She says that occasionally this happens, but it is very unusual.. I've still not received any correspondence whatsoever.

I've told her that the MOT and a major service is due next week, and that I am not arranging for either, since by then, it will be 4 weeks since the initial notification.

Not really sure what has happened here.

[Sacha1dog]

After 8 telephone calls, 5 emails and a letter, today I have finally received written notification that the VT has been accepted. I was told that this has been accepted 3 weeks ago on the telephone, so my question is, given that the MOT and a major service is due next week, am I being "reasonable" in saying that they have taken so long to process the VT, there is a reasonable chance that both will be due by the time the collection is made?

Or should I just suck it up, and get the service and MOT done? It seems a bit unreasonable for me to have to pay for both of these given that VWFS have sat on the case/delayed it for 3 weeks.

[jeffster247]

My understanding is that once you exercise your right to VT you no longer have the requirement for future work to be done as the vehicle is no longer your responsibility. Therefore a future MOT or service work should not be your concern.

I do know that once a service date comes, Audi allow 4 weeks after that date for the service to happen to be still in line with their program. If the service is not due till 20th May then Audi have until mid June to collect and get it serviced to meet their own requirements. I would have thought this would be plenty of time for them to get it collected so nothing for you to worry about.

For your peace of mind you could go through the process of ringing them again and explaining the situation so they can confirm to you that you no longer have the service and MOT obligations. I wouldn't cancel tax and insurance yet though as I think it is still your responsibility to keep a vehicle in your possesion taxed and insured until it is picked up

Whilst you are talking to them you could ask if you are allowed to keep driving the car until it is collected. When I VT'd with Mercedes they were very clear and stated that as of the date I submitted my request I was no longer able to drive it, whereas Audi were more flexible and said I could keep driving until they came to inspect it

[Sacha1dog]

Car is finally booked to be inspected & collected by BCA this Friday, nearly 4 weeks from the initiation of the VT request.

In the end, I contacted the CEO of VWFS, by way of a courteous email, and within 1 hour, I had someone on the phone, extremely apologetic, who cleared the issue, which was blamed on a catalogue of IT errors. It shouldn't need to go up to someone of that level, but nobody was trying to solve the problem.