Hi folks **Update** Picked the van up today, new DMF fitted under warranty, clutch was fine, no need to replace - although a new one was recommended - the same one has gone back in. All said and done, this experience has not changed my mind so I stick to my original post, I really don't think that the bigger price tag is worth it any more and I for one will not be buying a new vehicle again... Next time I will buy a 3-4yr old van, keep the extra cash in the bank for in case it breaks down and see how it goes.

Hi DW190 I know, but in essence I am a captive audience because of the warranty. As I have said in original post, I will not make this mistake again. Next time I'll get something for half the price of a new one and keep the other half in case it breaks. At least I will not have to argue with the idiots any more because I am getting tired of them trying to drag me down to their level and beating me with years of experience -

Hi Renegadeimp SOGA... How would I make it stick? The question for me is damage as a result of failure... Same as if I drive into the back of someone, I can't hold my hands up and say it's there cars seat that gave them whiplash now can I? Whiplash caused by me driving into the back of them - period. My gripe is the fact that if the clutch is damaged by a connecting part failing, then surely the repair should include this but we shall seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

Hi Scaniaman!! I wouldn't replace because of risk of vibration messing up other stuff. I uinderstand the need for a DMF but I think it is a fundamentally flwed design - if you know what I mean? Just shy of £380 for bearing, plate and disk, that's the price VW quoted so as it's under warranty I can't really put different parts in... You know what will happen in the future don't you... "Sorry mate, warranty is no longer valid cause you used different parts" As for 42 tons...:-) I took it in this morning so I will let you know what the outcome is...

Here is another cautionary tale about why it no longer pays to pay extra for peace-of-mind...I will NEVER make the mistake of buying a new vehicle again... I Started getting a shudder when pulling away and took it to local VW garage to see what they think - "Needs a new Dual Mass Flywheel mate" he says. "Not to worry, it's covered under warranty" he says. "I'll order one for Thursday and order the new clutch kit and bearing at the same time" he says. "And there will be no labour charge for fitting the new clutch" he says. "Only the parts" he says!!!!! £380 "Clutch ain't covered by warranty mate" he says. "Why should I have to pay for a breakage caused by a common fault" I ask. - [silence] A 2 years old van with 21000 miles on the clock and the Dual Mass Flywheel has gone!!!!!! - apparently it is not uncommon on "modern diesels" he says. Peace-of-mind-my-backside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the buyer beware

Hi Conniff Just on a side note about Small Claims - If, for arguments sake, I pay £100 for a repair and need to reclaim this through Small Claims, would the cost of actually claiming not be more thus making the whole process counter productive? Or can you claim for £100 + costs? Thanks!!

Hi DX100uk, I feel like such a lump hammer over this. You know - not just once but 5 times!!! I am going to ignore. Thanks Hi Homer67 Lots of waste paper on this one...It will be interesting to see if they chase these up individually or are going to try and bundle them into one big old bill. I'll keep everyone updated! Hi baloohaloo I am not the registered keeper. We have had that discussion already and I showed them what I have found out on this forum + a video on Youtube from BBC Watchdog. ** I can not post a link to it but if you search for "How to deal with Penalty Charge Notices issued by private companies" on Youtube, it is the video that is 2:04 long** Thank you all, strength in numbers!!

UPDATE!! 4 new steel rims!!! Hooray Hi all I got 4 new rims fitted today and not a single penny spent. I spoke to VW Commercial Vehicles head office to get some clarification on the warranty offered on commercial vehicles versus private cars and they put me into contact with there customer service team who in turn put me into contact with a case manager to deal with my complaint. He then tried to contact my local van centre and got no where, just like me. In the end he agreed that I had spent enough time and effort on this and agreed to change the 2 affected rims and the other 2 as well, to say sorry and those have now been fitted!! At last! Result! Thanks to all for your words of encouragement and support!

Hi all Would you Adam and Eve it!!!!!!!!!!! Last week I did a job for a customer in our town centre and he contacted the Council's parking control and organized me parking there for the week - No problem right... WRONG Turns out the car park I was in, at a supermarket across the road, is operated by a Private Parking Company. NOT THE FREAKING COUNCIL- so today I received number 2 "speculative invoice" of, what I expect, will be 5 in total...........Don't say it, I know, yes, ok. Shall I follow suit and ignore them all, or do I write individual letters as per the templates suggested on this forum? Thanks in advance!!

** Update ** Hi folks, thanks for the responses and ideas. @Heliosuk - Lazy indeed... They have now confirmed that this is not covered under warranty. The chap has never heard of a paint warranty authorisation form... Awaiting written response with reason. Will let you know when I find out! @scaniaman - Wheeltrims are a good idea, I will do that going forward. @Ashmk - All on email right now. Once I have the reason for why it is not covered under warranty, I will certainly be writing to head office. Thanks again folks!!

Hi folks I am stuck and hope one of you clever people can help me. I bought a new VW Caddy last year for work, 03/11, and after a few months the paint started flaking off the 2 rims on the driver side only. No problems on the passenger side... I mentioned this to VW at time of service, 03/12, but heard nothing back. Yesterday I cleaned the van and noticed that the paint has now flaked off on about 25% - 35% of the driver side rims. Both front and back. Drove over to VW and they fobbed me off with it's down to "external factors" and will not be covered under the warranty. WHAT is "external factors" I only ask because the guy at the dealer couldn't tell me and said that the warranty manager said it's "you know, external factors" Has any of you come across this before? Surely this is a new van and they can at least respray them? It looks really tatty... Thanks for your help in advance!!