We’ve been covering the Volkswagen Groups emissions fix closely over the last few months and have been paying attention to the feedback on our website and social media accounts. With the EGR issues aside we’re concerned that owners had been unsure about their choice (or lack of it) when it came to having the so called “technical measures” applied in the first place.

Being a diesel Skoda owner myself, I quizzed my local dealership on a recent visit (Wings Skoda Peterborough Feb 2017) about the emissions fix “etiquette”, only to be told that any updates require specific authorisation by the owner.

Being that my Skoda is Euro6 compliant, I’ve been lucky enough not to have had my car recalled however we’re aware that a significant number of owners felt they had been pressured and mislead into having the “technical measures” applied. In all cases (we are aware of) they claim to that the letters suggested that the fix was a mandatory requirement for their vehicle.

We’re yet to have any of our requests for information for-filled by VW, but we did find this little snippet on their emissions fix FAQ on their website

The NOx emissions issue does not change the fact that your car remains safe and roadworthy. There is no evidence to suggest that the affected EA189 diesel engine vehicles present a risk to health or safety as a result of the NOx emissions issue.

In addition the result of your car’s MOT will not be affected by the NOx emissions issue, whether your car receives the technical measures or not and there is no reason why your car insurance would be affected by this NOx emissions issue.  

With the above in mind its quite clear that VW accept that some owners will not choose to have the technical measures applied but make no attempt to say in black and white that the fix is “optional”.

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We’ve reviewed the many letters (signed by no less than Paul Willis) that owners have supplied us (thank you) and we’re a little concerned that this optional fix seems quite the opposite on paper. There is certainly no mention of that MOTs will not be affected – fix or not.

The letters go a little something like this.

vw emissions fix letter vw emissions fix letter audi vw emissions fix letter audi 2

As you can see from the array of letters kindly submitted by owners, they make no effort to explain that the fix is optional and will not affect the vehicle’s roadworthiness or ability to pass an MOT. You’ll also note our highlighting of the word required (in red) and the numerous confirmations that the technical measures have been approved for UK use. We’re also unsure about the need for a certificate of completion for this “optional” fix.

We’ve been made aware that some owners have been contacted multiple times and in one case have had no less than 10 letters from VW reminding them about the emissions fix. Its also been claimed that dealerships have been calling owners of affected vehicles to arrange a bookings.

Why is the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency logo on the letters?

Further cause for concern is the very official Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency logo which appears on every letter sent out. This might lead to believe that the fix has been independently tested by the DVSA, you’d be wrong about that too. The technical measures have been authorised by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) however no official testing or authorisation has been given by any UK body (that we are aware of).

To someone unaware of VW’s FAQ, it would seem (to me at least) that the fix is not optional and the recall is both required and approved by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

We’ve reached out to owners for their thoughts on the matter and here’s what they said.

Is someone from VW listening?

With the above in mind we’d like to hear from VW, we’d like to know:

  • If the technical measures were not tested or required by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency why was their logo present on the letters?
  • Was any attempt made by VW to substantiate the claim that the fix had been independently tested and approved in the UK?
  • Why was it not made clear in the letters that quote: The NOx emissions issue does not change the fact that your car remains safe and roadworthy. There is no evidence to suggest that the affected EA189 diesel engine vehicles present a risk to health or safety as a result of the NOx emissions issue.

    In addition the result of your car’s MOT will not be affected by the NOx emissions issue, whether your car receives the technical measures or not and there is no reason why your car insurance would be affected by this NOx emissions issue.  

  • If this fix was in fact optional then why was the update described as “required”?
  • Can you please explain why VW customers in the US have been offered comprehensive warranties and replacement EGR valves and DPF filters as part of the fix.

We’re more than willing to publish VW’s answers to the above in an unbiased way. Please do get in touch Mr Willis.

Let’s hear from you!

Have you had the emissions fix applied to your vehicle? Did you feel pressured into it? Was the fix applied without your consent? Let us know in the comments. Please give details of the dealership if you can.

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If you’ve found this article helpful you might also like to read our other dieselgate – VW emissions fix articles