It is a common sentiment among the masses that German cars are unreliable. This in general is not limited to cars made for India but a fact that has been proven widely by various surveys done internationally as well. They come second only perhaps to say Italians for reliability. Our official reviews often highlight this aspect but we tend to overlook it and go for their products that offer a solid build quality and enthusiasts performance.
My elder brother bought himself a Vento without even seeing the car or test driving it. This was the first version of the Vento that was launched some time around August 2010. The car was delivered in December 2010. Overall, the car had been reliable and offered just what he wanted. Space, comfort, performance, et al. The ownership experience however has been on a downward slide. Firstly, the car isn't used as much owing to his professional commitments which keeps him at sea for most time of the year. The car has done just about 52000 kms in 5 years of ownership.
From a reliability perspective the vehicle remained flawless for the first three years. The majority of outstation trips included drives to Bombay or our native place in Goa. An odd weekend getaway to a nearby hill station at best. Despite the low usage, the upkeep of the car was top notch and no expense incurred was left unattended whatsoever.
First couple of services:
The first issue was noticed in July 2014. On setting out for a weekend dinner with family, as he was about to exit the ramp from the building, the car shuddered, lost all power and came to a halt after severe jolts to the occupants. All he could see was glow plug sign on the instrument cluster. An evening was ruined and the car was pushed back into the parking luckily within the premises of his residence. Thankfully this didn't occur in the middle of the road at night on say the expressway with the entire family on board. Called up the service station the following day and they came by, started the car and drove to the workshop.
The car remained in the workshop for four full days undergoing various diagnosis and analysis. Eventually it was determined to an injector problem. The service adviser stated that the injector needed replacement. The cost per unit would be around Rs. 25,000/-. Since I wasn't in town around that time, we couldn't check this issue up on the forum which mentions advisory and the likes. In case you are looking for the advisory,
take a look here for the direct link. Since he wanted the car to be back on the road, he decided to negotiate and get the car back on the road as soon as possible. Although, as per the advisory, our car is the affected one there was no free replacement for the injector. We ended up paying about Rs. 7,859/- for part cost coupled with labor and other allied child parts. See invoices below for details. Thankfully the car came back on the road and was performing reasonably as it was expected to.
In December 2014, the car went for a routine service (60k service) at 41,000 kms. This was just about 7000 kms after the injector issue had cropped up. This time around, the diagnosis stated that the entire frame that houses the AC condenser and radiator had broken. This apparently was due to the low front overhang of the car and was rectified in subsequent Vento facelifted versions. The cost of replacement came to around 3,000 bucks. This doesn't include all the labor charges that added up for removing and refitting the frame. Entire service bill came to 17,000/-. A price that seems quite high for a 41,000 km run car. The cost for the entire frame and allied parts is Rs. 4,500/- in itself. Invoices below:
Thereafter, in August 2015, at 49,342 kms there was leakage of water inside the cabin. This was about 8000 kms after the previous service. The service adviser at the workshop advised my sister in law that the cost of rectifying the leakage would be approximately 8000 rs, after a complaint to the VW customer care online which was registered by my brother as he was sailing the job was done in goodwill however at the same time the service adviser stated that the frame assembly that holds the radiator and condenser has broken and needed replacement. In the period from the last service to the current one, the car was only driven inside the city with just a single trip to Goa. I am wondering how these frames keep giving up. The added expense over this was a turbo hose that required replacement (where did that come from?). Total cost of repairs Rs. 9,000/- so looks like the service adviser had to meet his target one way or the other.
October 2015 at 50,061 kms, the car lost pickup and had to be driven to the service station again with a blinking coil light on the instrument cluster. Diagnosis stated that some pressure hose had to be replaced. Cost of the hose was Rs. 6,500/-. Total came up to Rs. 7,800/- bucks! The next day after the car was returned the Check engine light along with coil light cropped up again, the car was immediately taken to the workshop wherein the service adviser advised that the EGR had to be replaced, please note that at this stage the car was under 5 years old. On haggling with the service adviser the car was in workshop for 4-5 days and was returned wherein the light had disappeared also a thing to note is that during present haggling with VW customer care they are stating that since the car is over 5 years old the EGR cannot be replaced under warranty, which knowing the chronic problem could have been done at this stage.
Post the issue in August 2015, the Vento became the backup car since the car was accruing huge expenses and had kind of become questionable to use. It was driven only within the city limits.
After much confirmation that the car was performing fairly ok, it was driven to Goa in early March 2016. Thankfully it performed brilliantly. Upon returning and parking the car in the basement, the following day, upon turning on ignition, the coil light came back online. There were mixed feelings, firstly due to the relief that this did not happen on our trip to Goa and annoyance at the thought of the car going back and forth to the workshop regularly. This time around, the diagnosis says that the EGR has packed up and the replacement cost is between Rs. 40,000 to 50,000/- bucks! My Swift's EGR was cleaned at 85000 kms and still performs without any hindrance. We requested the workshop to replace this in goodwill warranty but it seems like it won't be honored. Perhaps our prayers to VW customer care will be answered and the issue is addressed in the best of customer interests.