Expensive Repairs VW Golf - Do I Fix or Sell?

LBilbo Barggains on 22/03/2023 - 18:34
Last edited 22/03/2023 - 20:12 by 1 other user

G'day OzBarganites just looking for a little advice on what you would do in this situation:

I have a 2015 model VW Golf auto with 50,000 kms on the clock with excellent condition body and interior. I bought it as a repaired write off about 6 years ago for only $13k with only 12000 kms. I've had it regularly log book serviced at the VW dealer it was previously serviced through, and spared no expense on replacing parts as needed. That said, there has been no major mechanical or electrical issues with the car.

That is until a few days ago when my "mechatronics unit" started playing up - essentially putting the car randomly into a "limp" mode where I cannot accelerate and have to pull over, put in P, turn the car on and off again for it to resume normal function. Very dangerous as you can imagine and actually happened yesterday while I was overtaking a truck! I've been quoted $4200 for the replacement of this "flux capacitor" .. Err I mean "mechatronics unit" and it will apparently take 6 weeks for the part to come from Germany as it needs to be made to order also. Timing belt is due soon as is rego. Is it worth selling the car as is e.g., what it's worth minus cost of repairs, or fork out it fix it? Carsales has the value at $15 - 17.8K, though I'd expect less given the cars write off history.

I have been told the car cannot be driven, and I have not got a second opinion yet (would need to be towed elsewhere), though in the past I've found them to be slightly cheaper and offering solid warranty on their work. So - what would you do in this situation? NB I earn below average income.

Any advice appreciated, cheers.

Automotive Car Volkswagen

Comments

  • Nugs on 22/03/2023 - 18:41
    +8

    "earn below average income"
    "I have a 2015 model VW Golf"
    Get a Camry/Corolla
    .

    • Euphemistic on 22/03/2023 - 19:53
      +3

      Plus bought a repaired write off

  • spackbace on 22/03/2023 - 18:43
    +5

    Carsales has the value at $15 - 17.8K, though I'd expect less given the cars write off history.

    Max you'd get, when running, would be $10k given it's been a write off.

    Unlikely you'd get anyone prepared to buy it for more than $1k if it goes into limp mode and needs a timing belt

    • lgacb08 on 23/03/2023 - 08:37

      No chance anyone would go that close to an 8 year old with viv sticker on its name. Even a proper no issue small car around the same age will take time to sell for that amount.

      • Brick50 on 23/03/2023 - 15:03

        You need to see how much small cars are still selling for, even a 2015 i30 with 150,000kms is still going for around 15k

  • Bafranz on 22/03/2023 - 18:43
    +10

    Check out some euro wreckers, they'll tell you how much a 2nd hand mechatronics unit is worth rather than sourcing from germany

  • freefall101 on 22/03/2023 - 19:04
    +5

    You're not going to get much for a former writeoff that's not in running order, a buyer would have to put a lot of trust in you. If there's nothing else wrong with the car I'd repair it then keep driving it, sounds the much cheaper way of doing things.

  • dcep on 22/03/2023 - 19:14
    +2

    Sounds like a common fault … how the euros manage to roll out cars with timebombs time after time, yet still keeping everyone happy in buying it again and again.
    Imagine if their EVs failing after warranty, the cost of EV parts replacements and repairs at dealership, with no competition from independent workshop / mechanics.

    Wonder if manual conversion is feasible for OP.

  • Loot N Plunder on 22/03/2023 - 19:36
    -1

    Have you tried to reset the mechatronics unit?
    Looks fairly simple and worth a try if it hasn't been done before YouTube it.
    Otherwise a second hand one and then flog it off ASAP
    You could get out a mobile mechanic for a second opinion/price

  • brad1-8tsi on 22/03/2023 - 19:47
    +2

    I assume it's a 1.4 with the 7 speed dry clutch?… POS

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/03/2023 - 20:16
    +2

    Sounds like the perfect car to trade in at a dealer with lacklustre inspections.

  • Gunnar on 22/03/2023 - 20:34
    +1

    I got to 2015 Golf and thought sell

    Reading the rest, definitely sell, especially with where your earnings are

    BUT selling that car is also going to be tough in that condition and I wouldn’t expect to get anything really for it. Assuming market value is $15, knock off 3-5 for it being a repairable write off then 7ish for the repairs. Expect maybe $3-5 and that would be selling it to someone who knows what needs to be fixed and can do it

    Good luck with whatever you decide though because it’s not an easy decision

  • dtc on 22/03/2023 - 20:45
    +1

    The 1.4 dry clutch is notorious for its mechatronics failures. Even a few court cases.

    Basically your decision is ‘if I spend $4200 on repairs, will I get a better car than it I sold it for $3k and bought a new car for $7200’. And I’m not sure you will manage $3k, anyone buying it will be the kind of person who knows the risks and won’t pay much

    In any case, fir $7200 can you get a better car? Probably not; but you might manage a car that isn’t as expensive to run in the future and will be a bit cheaper over the next 5 or 7 years.

  • brendanm on 22/03/2023 - 21:03
    +3

    As is, it is worth basically nothing. Even fixed it's not worth much, being a repairable write off. This is a known and common issue, hit up VW for a goodwill replacement.

    • seemos on 22/03/2023 - 21:56
      +1

      I managed to get Vw in Perth to pay 60% of a mechatronics replacement for the exact same issue. Osborne Park was the dealership and the part took about 5 weeks to be delivered plus another couple weeks for install. Cost $3200 total about two years ago

      • maybeamacy on 22/03/2023 - 23:41

        Did you need full VW service history to get this done?

        • seemos on 23/03/2023 - 00:00

          No… It was mainly serviced through an independent mechanic but pretty by the book

      • dcep on 23/03/2023 - 00:03

        $3200 before 60% off or after ?

        • seemos on 23/03/2023 - 00:04

          Before. I think I paid about $1250 or so

    • Bilbo Barggains on 22/03/2023 - 22:05

      Cheers, I'll look into goodwill option :)

    • Matt P on 24/03/2023 - 22:48

      no chance of goodwill on a write off.

      Pick up a second hand one from ebay or a VW wrecker

      • brendanm on 24/03/2023 - 22:50

        What does a car being a repairable write off years ago have to do with a known issue mechatronics fault?

  • jason101 on 22/03/2023 - 21:33
    +2

    https://halfpriceparts.com.au/products/vw-golf-genuine-mecha… I know nothing about cars, but this seems to be another simple math equation. Cars worth now =$0, Is the car worth more than $3k with part with the $3k part fitted. This is your answer.

  • Brian McGee on 23/03/2023 - 13:57

    That car is really living up to its name, V(irtually) W(orthless).

    • brendanm on 24/03/2023 - 19:19

      Rude

      • Brian McGee on 24/03/2023 - 21:02

        Yep, it sure is rude that people keep buying dung boxes off this criminal company.

        • brendanm on 24/03/2023 - 21:29

          Very rude

  • Bilbo Barggains on 16/07/2023 - 09:45
    +2

    Update: Only just got the car back and huuuge shout out to @brendanm and @seemos for recommending the goodwill option. VW paid half the cost of the part which was the main expense and gave me a free Herts hire car for 3 months. Ended up only paying $1900 instead of the original quote of $5000. The goodwill took ages to get approved and the hire car also needed separate approval which was tedious. The part had to be first manufactured (so they said) in Germany and shipped, whereas the install took only a few hours. Thanks to everyone for their input.

    • Jaduqimon on 16/07/2023 - 11:04

      Now sell it before any other issues come up.

    • seemos on 16/07/2023 - 11:12

      That's great news! Glad we could help :)

    • RekItRosie on 27/11/2023 - 13:15

      Hi
      I've bought a second hand VW 2015 golf at auction 4 weeks ago and just been informed that I need to replace the mechatronic unit but I can't afford the $4800 quoted … Nowhere near that much … Is it worth my approaching VW to help? And if so how do I go about it? I hoped since you've been through it you could explain the process as I don't know where to start 😞
      Any advice you could give would be appreciated

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