Towbar

[4pies]

Hi all

I switched to a ex-demo 24 VW ID7 couple months back, and I've been very pleased generally. However, there is one big issue and I wanted to ask some advice please.

When I bought the car I asked the selling dealer to confirm the car can have a tow bar fitted - which they confirmed after checking (not via email though I think). I mentioned this was a key condition otherwise I would buy one with a tow bar factory fitted.

A couple of weeks after that I asked my local dealer (Marshall) to provide a quote, which they did (c GBP 1750) and they confirmed all no problem inc coding. They wanted GBP 1250 upfront, which I paid. The car went to fit the towbar, and since then it's been at the dealer on and off for 2 a full weeks. They are not able to get the towbar to work (ie flip out) and a lot of safety issues are not working anymore now, plus things like my seat position can't go back. I can drive it, but not of course an issue (I had to use it for holidays in the mean time) . So somehow the software has been screwed up and they don't know how to solve it with the codes they're being given by VW.

Now, I think the dealer is doing their absolute best and they must've spent days on this, so I can't fault them. But I am just totally surprised this is possible. A quick google show there are some issues with this across VAG models.

A month later I have a car with no tow bar, 1250 down, loss of lots of functionality on a £57k list price car 1 year old, and the dealer is waiting for VW to give them an answer (several escalation processes further I understand).
Any idea what I should do as a next step? As I bought the car online remotely unseen, I think I have some legal protections, just entirely unsure what to do now. I'd like the car working ideally!

[Bazzad]

First off, I would be asking for a full refund of what I had paid them. However, if they have messed up the car it isn’t just a case of taking it somewhere else to get a towbar fitted, they have to put the car back to its original condition.

I think I would be seeking legal advice on your next course of action. I would imagine it would be for them to take the car back and refund you the cost of the car less any mileage you put on it since purchasing.

I bought an ID.7 a few weeks ago and needed a towbar just for a cycle carrier. I was quoted a similar price by the dealer for adding the VW flip down towbar. I got a quote from a towbar fitter that I have used before which was half the price for a removable towbar with electrics so I went with that. It’s not as convenient as the flip down one but I have a working car.

[4pies]

Thanks . Did they code the software successfully?
I tried to get a quote for aftermarket but nobody could do the coding (that’s 5-6 weeks ago now). They also couldn’t really tell me what that meant , hence I went with the dealer.

They’re taking it back and giving me loaner for 9 days hopefully it’ll take less time than that !

[mikejl]

Without coding the car won't know when you have trailer lighting plugged in & won't show a trailer symbol when you indicate.

That may not bother you, but it is a legal requirement.

Perhaps more importantly, it may also affect the stability control systems if the car doesn't know that there is a trailer attached.

[4pies]

Ok thanks glad I went VW then . As far as I’m aware on 2024 onwards models no one can do the coding other than VW and if my car is an example, they haven’t yet figured that out. You also need a new component installed too (some ECU communication box) and then coding happens centrally at VW, but not sure how it all hangs together . Although bazzard seems to suggest he had it done elsewhere maybe he had a 23 model.

[Bazzad]

They couldn’t code it at the time because VW didn’t have the information but they said when they do they will let me know and I can take it in for them to do.

I am only using it for a cycle carrier so I don’t think it is so important.

[4pies]

So , they managed to fix it. Took 3 weeks and a few escalations. But got there in the end. They mentioned they had to reset the cameras, then recode again. Someone on the web mentioned you have to code with the door and bonnet open. Anyway for anyone having this issue: you need an ECU box as well as the tow bar , and then it looks like that the sequence of how they code is important . but it does work now. Very nice folding towbar !

PS shout out to marshal Harlow. Great service gave me a courtesy car for over a week and didn’t charge anything extra.