Another 2.0T FSI CCZA Timing Chain Tensioner Advice Thread..

Well Sam,

If it weren`t for bad luck you`d have none.
I would be inclined to fill in the template from Martin Lewis and send it to the dealer you bought the car from as you said its for him to prove the fault did no exist at the time of purchase and to be honest how the hell is he going to do that. I would also give Carter & Carter a call they can add their fee to your claim, I am glad you have at least fingers crossed got your car up and running I cant see you losing any claim after reading the Consumer Rights Act.

Good luck keep us informed

Hi Sam, I've just had my recently bought A3 in at my VAG specialist having everything checked over and all missed service items like DSG & Haldex done. With your thread in mind I asked if I should have the tensioner changed as it's apparently prone to failure, but they said they weren't aware of a problem on the 2.0TFSI CCZA engine, and the tensioner isn't something that is changed routinely or as part of the service schedule - with no unusual noise from my engine there would be no reason to look at it. So it seems that it isn't generally thought of as a service item or wear and tear part, and it will be hard for the dealer who sold you the car to put this forward as a reason not to stand by the car that he sold you a few months ago. I think you'd have a very good case, and you would be treated sympathetically by a claims court, if I were you I'd go the legal route.
All the best

Hi Sam,

I understand your end and hopefully your motor is now good its a bit of a ****** the dealer can skank you like this but the future is where you need to look.

Good luck with your education and this bit counts for a lot too you will be more astute for it.

Cheers.
Jeffo.

A sad tale indeed, and why I'm willing pay that little extra to buy my cars from Main Dealers - "peace of mind" has a price. Mine has the CCZA engine and has now done 72000 miles without issue (knock on wood). I bought it at 27000 and always had the services done on time. The problem with these engines is they tune so readily that some owners will push a remap to S3 levels, then forget (or not care) the engine components are not designed to take that kind of punishment long term! Removing the map after the engine has become used to it can sometimes cause issues in itself, and you can't undo prematurely worn components anyway.

The seller may not have known, or have been aware, of any problems when he sold you the car, it's true! But he is still liable for the full cost of the repair (or a full refund) whether he knew about it or not. Don't give him the invoice unless he agrees to pay the entirety of the costs. Keep it for your records, and if you decide to pursue him at a later date you'll have evidence of your expenditure! Without it, you can prove nothing. Let him know you're going to report him to the ombudsman, then leave him to sweat on it. There are a lot of sharks out there that will take advantage of a "gentle" approach, and it sounds like he's one such person. Personally, After trying and failing with the softly, softly approach, I wouldn't have paid to fix it! I'd have had it dumped on his forecourt (still broken), taken pictures (to log the condition and mileage) and let him know in no uncertain terms, I want a full refund.

Since you're not going to accept his £500 offer, you might as well get the ball rolling by naming and shaming him - especially on any social media site he's linked to! Once a few people let him know they've heard of his shady dealings, he may decide to try to save his reputation before it goes completely to hell ...but at the moment he has no reason to alter his position because it seems like you're maybe giving up.

Ho hum, we live and learn. I really hope the car is now running sweet and it's a good few years before you have to spend any more cash on it, so at least you can start to feel like you're getting some VFM.

Good Luck.