43 replies to this topic

[turbobob]

I posted something a while ago. But I wanted to vent my frustration and am wondering whether I should attempt to take it further. In June last year I bought a diesel insignia. In the first 7 months I had to take it to a dealer 12 times due to faults. My other major gripe was fuel economy. I was getting between 40 to 45 MPG driving steady 70mph. The published figures for extra urban are 58mpg. I know this is lab condition. But other diesel insignia users are getting over 50. So I wrote a letter of complaint to Vauxhall in January. I heard nothing and chased them up 3 times over a month before hearing from them. I wanted to change the car like for like (age, mileage and spec). Vauxhall came back and offered me £150 parts and accessories vouchers. I said that doesn't change the issues with my car, so they then palmed me off to the dealer I bought it from. I've been in discussions with them and agreed to a deal for another. But vauxhall have been sh**. I've heard nothing from them for weeks and they've basically ignored me and I'm really pissed at them. So I don't know whether to just leave it or take it further now. Suggestions?

[rob999]

So its been shite and you want another?! You crazy....!

[turbobob]

I like the car. Nice to drive and good spec. And generally well reviewed.

[slindborg]

Give the car back and get any equity back. Car isn't fit for purpose.

[turbobob]

That would mean rejecting it. I've had the car 10 months now. I put my complaint into vauxhall in January. And rejecting it would be rejecting it on the dealer. My warranty is with vauxhall. I forgot to add I swapped mine with one of the dealerships cars for 4 days to see what fuel economy I could get. I got 56.4 MPG on a trip to basingstoke and back. Big difference from the 40 to 45 MPG I get from mine.

[slindborg]

Reject it then.... It's not performing as "sold" ergo not fit for purpose.

[turbobob]

Not that simple. Rejecting it has to be done in a reasonable time. About 1 to 2 months. The dealer would argue and I'd end up going to court. Plus the dealer claims that my car produced the same MPG as the car I borrowed. I don't believe that but I have no way of proving it. So the point of this thread is what do I do ref vauxhall? Do I write a shitty follow up complaint? Do I contact watchdog? Do I attempt another form of press coverage? Do I swallow the very bitter pill and leave it?

[slindborg]

Watchdog.

[Graeme Lambert]

Think I said this before Bob, but I can give you contact details for someone at AutoExpress who deals with this sort of sh1t. Let me know. G

[turbobob]

Thanks graeme. Do you think they'd be interested?

[VXR]

A mate of mine is going through acactly the same thing with a mondeo,he even paid £40 to have a black box fitted so ford could monitor is driving and fuel economy,they gave him a fancy print out saying he could only improve his driving by 5% but thats still no where near the fuel economy figures that ford come out with.he's still waiting for his reply off ford but he's getting nowhere,it's like all main dealers make these figures up to sell the cars then blame your way of driving when you prove them wrong about the economy.ive got insignia to Bob,it's a great car and at a push sometimes I even get a whopping 20 MPG out of it!

[Graeme Lambert]

Thanks graeme. Do you think they'd be interested?

Well it's the sort of thing they'd normally cover. And it has to be worth a shot - all it will take is an email from you and the worst they can do is ignore it...

G

[Wolfstone]

Watchdog Bob. Just like AutoExpress, the worst they can do is ignore it. Nothing ventured and all that.

[Silent Steve]

<sup>Stand outside their dealership, night and day, wearing your fake boobs, singing "happy birthday mr president" in your best, most seductive, Marilyn Monroe voice - hold a huge puce banner saying "I want something done..."

It may not help, but it's certainly a sexy alternative to mailing Auto Express.

And yes.

I have been drinking.</sup>

[Wolfstone]

^{I have been drinking.}

You really should stay off the caffeine Steve.

[Nev]

Ug nasty problem These modern cars are so damned heavy it's impossible to drive them to the manufacturers MPG levels IMO. The same/similar Vauxhall saloon 30 years ago was 1/2 the weight of a modern Insignia. Hope you get it sorted/resolved, maybe next time buy a lighter car like a Focus to help with fuel economy? I get a genuine 54 MPG commuting to work in my Focus 1.6 TDCi, in traffic and A/B roads doing an average of 34 MPH, on the motorway at steady 70 MPH I get circa 60 MPG, at a VERY steady 50 MPH I can get 65 MPG though I have to concentrate like mad and pretend the accelerator has an egg on it.

Edited by Nev, 27 April 2012 - 12:53 AM.

[Ricardo]

Nothing new in this topic - the service has always been bad - remember the crap service they gave on good old VX 220's!!! Have not been to a good dealer yet...

[siztenboots]

block off the EGR valve, and take it for an italian tune up

[Claws]

further to blocking off the egr...remap!

[turbobob]

I tried an ecoflex on the motorway today. The engine revs were lower. But it only returned 45.6mpg doing 70mph on the motorway. I feel that isn't representative of the ecoflex but now I'm screwed on the deal I negotiated. Why can't I just find a car that does what it claims on the tin?