Can service guys detect remap?

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kieronbram

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Hi,

Basically I'm due for a service, im taking it to an Audi dealer as im on service plan.

My car is out of warranty but I'm on PCP finance, when i requested the air filter is untouched (It's an APR filter)
they have asked if it's an Audi genuine part?

I'm wondering if knowing this information they will then check for a map (which it has) or if not why would they ask this question?

Many thanks.
 
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Why not just tell them it has been done, if it's out of warranty what's the problem?...scrap that! I see your worry, pcp and a map?
 
If it’s going for a service, it’s normal to hook up to diagnostics to check for any required updates etc. It’s at this point, while connected to the VAG Brain, that it’s likely to highlight an issue with software, which may - or may not - result in a TD1 flag.

They would have seen the filter whether you told them or not, since it’s a service item.
 
S32B said:
Why not just tell them it has been done, if it's out of warranty what's the problem?...scrap that! I see your worry, pcp and a map?
Click to expand...

The warranty isn't my issue, the PCP & remap is my issue.
 
RAF_S7 said:
If it’s going for a service, it’s normal to hook up to diagnostics to check for any required updates etc. It’s at this point, while connected to the VAG Brain, that it’s likely to highlight an issue with software, which may - or may not - result in a TD1 flag.

They would have seen the filter whether you told them or not, since it’s a service item.
Click to expand...

So they're highly likely to see the remap? Let's pray they're nice about it then
 
Bad form to be modifying a car that doesn't belong to you...
 
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^^ but he is absolutely right.
Audi will know it has been mapped and as it is not your car they will want to talk to you about it.
You have modified a car that wasn't yours, the Audi network will now say that you are in breach of contract and depending on the dealer will either give you a small problem or a large problem. You could be opening up a world of pain.
 
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Then again, they might not clock it at all, so go over that bridge if and when it comes, i used to have a Smart Roadster that was mapped on finance and they never said a word and it was in for about 6 services, although i was always uneasy they would find out but that was my gamble. i just removed it before giving it back.
 
You could take the car and pay someone knowledgeable with the right tools, and have them inspect the ecu to see if the TD1 flag has been triggered. if it hasnt you are lucky, get it reverted to standard immediately.
If it has then you're a bit stuffed because it cant be unset and Audi will find it as they will check it before it goes on the forecourt. Since you've (most certainly) broken the contract terms they could take you to court for potential losses as a result of making their car unsuitable for resale, basically it has been devalued although it's hard to quantity by how much. I doubt they would want the hassle of doing all this so if you made an offer to take ownership of the car they make go for it, but I really don't know.
 
I don’t use pcp , do you have to use a dealer ? Could you use a indie ?
What was you intending at the end of the PCP ?
 
Damo S said:
You could take the car and pay someone knowledgeable with the right tools, and have them inspect the ecu to see if the TD1 flag has been triggered. if it hasnt you are lucky, get it reverted to standard immediately.
If it has then you're a bit stuffed because it cant be unset and Audi will find it as they will check it before it goes on the forecourt. Since you've (most certainly) broken the contract terms they could take you to court for potential losses as a result of making their car unsuitable for resale, basically it has been devalued although it's hard to quantity by how much. I doubt they would want the hassle of doing all this so if you made an offer to take ownership of the car they make go for it, but I really don't know.
Click to expand...

Thing is, if i was to hand it back it would just go to auction right? It's becoming an "Old" car in terms of what a dealership would sell - 65 plate.

The real question here is wondering why they'd ask if my air filter is Audi Genuine? People telling me the worlds going to end isn't what I've asked.
 
musicegbdf said:
I don’t use pcp , do you have to use a dealer ? Could you use a indie ?
What was you intending at the end of the PCP ?
Click to expand...
I can use an indy but im on service plan so it's free.

I was just intending on removing map & handing back.
 
Maybe they are asking in case you have a K&N Filter installed and would not just replace that with the Original without your consent.
If you are worried that much, get it removed before it goes into service and play dumb if they notice anything, it's then up to them to prove it was tampered with and not the other way around.
Everything might go cool, might not but that's your safer bet at least.
 
Lavalamp said:
Maybe they are asking in case you have a K&N Filter installed and would not just replace that with the Original without your consent.
If you are worried that much, get it removed before it goes into service and play dumb if they notice anything, it's then up to them to prove it was tampered with and not the other way around.
Everything might go cool, might not but that's your safer bet at least.
Click to expand...

Im unsure it's that because i requested they leave the air filter.
 
kieronbram said:
Thing is, if i was to hand it back it would just go to auction right? It's becoming an "Old" car in terms of what a dealership would sell - 65 plate.

The real question here is wondering why they'd ask if my air filter is Audi Genuine? People telling me the worlds going to end isn't what I've asked.
Click to expand...

Actually, your thread title is asking whether service guys can detect a remap and that is what has been answered and in some detail.

RE: Auction. it would have to go to auction if it has the TD1 flag set. If audi take a trade in and find it has that set thast exactly what happens (as far as I am aware) but they are taking a hit on potential resale value.

The filter question is fairly obvious. They want to know if you've stuck an aftermarket air filter on a car since requested not to replace it, because fitting an aftermarket one is probably the only reason for making such a request. The more important question is: does it really matter that they know. Is it the same dealership who leased you the car? If so then they may get arsey about your modifying the car which isn't yours, again, breaching contract terms.

Its not the end of the world but it might be hassle / costly and people are just preparing you for this. or you might get lucky
 
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Couple of things to mention.
Td1 flag isn’t on the ecu or anywhere in the car. It’s a flag in the central database at Audi hq in Germany. Only way to hide it is if you fit and code a new ecu. Even then it could create problems elsewhere. Remaps checks a flash counter and if that doesn’t agree with the counter at Audi hq it will get td1.

Second thing is I wouldn’t worry about the dealership telling Audi finance. It’s not in their interest to do so. Also under gdpr rules they shouldn’t be passing information between companies without your consent. Audi UK, Audi finance and your franchise dealers are all separate entities and if data is passed between them without your consent I will be looking for a lawyer and/or reporting them to some regulatory body.

Edit: forgot to add if you get td1 flag you can say goodbye to any goodwill for out of warranty work
 
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AlS3BE said:
Couple of things to mention.
Td1 flag isn’t on the ecu or anywhere in the car. It’s a flag in the central database at Audi hq in Germany. Only way to hide it is if you fit and code a new ecu. Even then it could create problems elsewhere. Remaps checks a flash counter and if that doesn’t agree with the counter at Audi hq it will get td1.

Second thing is I wouldn’t worry about the dealership telling Audi finance. It’s not in their interest to do so. Also under gdpr rules they shouldn’t be passing information between companies without your consent. Audi UK, Audi finance and your franchise dealers are all separate entities and if data is passed between them without your consent I will be looking for a lawyer and/or reporting them to some regulatory body.

Edit: forgot to add if you get td1 flag you can say goodbye to any goodwill for out of warranty work
Click to expand...

So in terms of service I should be okay? Wondering whether to cancel and go indy
 
kieronbram said:
So in terms of service I should be okay? Wondering whether to cancel and go indy
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t worry. It’s out of warranty. Any goodwill on engine/ gearbox will be out the window with a remap anyway.
It’s more if something like the MMI blows up you are in a good position for some goodwill if you had a dealership service history.
Goodwill can be very little to a lot. My other car was a few months out of warranty developed a knock and I booked it in. The job was just shy of £600 and merc covered most of it and I paid £120 so it was worth having the full dealership history.
It’s only you can make that decision and weigh up the pros and cons between dealership or indie.
Make sure there’s no stupid terms and conditions in your pcp contract that says you must go to approved dealership for servicing. This only matters if you decide to hand the car back to finance company anyway.
 
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AlS3BE said:
I wouldn’t worry. It’s out of warranty. Any goodwill on engine/ gearbox will be out the window with a remap anyway.
It’s more if something like the MMI blows up you are in a good position for some goodwill if you had a dealership service history.
Goodwill can be very little to a lot. My other car was a few months out of warranty developed a knock and I booked it in. The job was just shy of £600 and merc covered most of it and I paid £120 so it was worth having the full dealership history.
It’s only you can make that decision and weigh up the pros and cons between dealership or indie.
Make sure there’s no stupid terms and conditions in your pcp contract that says you must go to approved dealership for servicing. This only matters if you decide to hand the car back to finance company anyway.
Click to expand...

Cheers for the useful information, I will just take it to them as I'm likely to sell/ part-ex it at some point anyway so Audi will never get the car back.
 
kieronbram said:
Cheers for the useful information, I will just take it to them as I'm likely to sell/ part-ex it at some point anyway so Audi will never get the car back.
Click to expand...

Just be aware Dealerships as far as i know won’t take a td1 flagged car back for a trade in as they can’t sell it with the approved used warranty.
 
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the dealership mine came from mentioned about TD1 flagged cars just being put through auction instead, so they might take them but they might stiff you on the trade in value
 
kieronbram said:
So in terms of service I should be okay? Wondering whether to cancel and go indy
Click to expand...
How old will your car be when the PCP finishes? Doubt Audi would retail it so it would go to auction or trade anyway.
You have a free service plan so why pay again? Just tell them not to change the air filter or give you yours back.
Stop worrying about what you can't change and enjoy your car.
 
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msdmjb said:
^^ but he is absolutely right.
Audi will know it has been mapped and as it is not your car they will want to talk to you about it.
You have modified a car that wasn't yours, the Audi network will now say that you are in breach of contract and depending on the dealer will either give you a small problem or a large problem. You could be opening up a world of pain.
Click to expand...
What does the contract say then?

TX.
 
Damo S said:
the dealership mine came from mentioned about TD1 flagged cars just being put through auction instead, so they might take them but they might stiff you on the trade in value
Click to expand...
They'll stiff you on the trade in whether it's TD1 or not lol.
 
Last edited:
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haha true, but there are many levels
 
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For anyone wondering, had the service done. Asked them to leave the air filter - service manager asked if it was K&N, I just said no it's an APR one & he just noted that. Service was done and handed over with 0 mention of a map or any issues.
 
kieronbram said:
For anyone wondering, had the service done. Asked them to leave the air filter - service manager asked if it was K&N, I just said no it's an APR one & he just noted that. Service was done and handed over with 0 mention of a map or any issues.
Click to expand...

Audi won't give a monkeys about a remap unless it goes in for warranty work, then if the value of the work was high enough I would bet my house on them finding the map and refusing work.
 
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zaka7 said:
Audi won't give a monkeys about a remap unless it goes in for warranty work, then if the value of the work was high enough I would bet my house on them finding the map and refusing work.
Click to expand...
At this point the cars pretty much of no value to them, it's too old to go approved used anyway.
 
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