Passat Battery Change - Learn from my mistake Lesson

[Lams]

Hi guys and girls

So we have this Passat FSI wagon nearly 3 years old, we bought it new and ordered it to our spec from factory. Last week we were given a very good offer to replace it with an R36 for 52k (on the R36, not changeover), but decided not to. We simply didn't see the value in the upgrade.

The car yesterday left us stranded at a shopping mall. The car wouldn't start. The battery was installed in May by myself, I bought one at Supercheap but I didn't buy a supercheap one, I bought Century which has an OK reputation.

Anyway, when VW Assist came to assist nobody blamed the battery until the car was checked out by VW this morning (it arrived on a tow truck). The battery had leaked acid, destroying the starter motor and no doubt causing damage to other paint / plastic parts.

Now I have to cough up the repair bill of $1300. I don't know if VW Assist is feeling generous to cover the towing cost yet.

My only chance is that Century would cover this bill, but I don't like my chances as I'm not a qualifed mechanic.

Lesson learned: if your car's still under warranty, use genuine parts!!!
Lesson 2 learned: Take the R36!

[WEDEL.1]

That is bad luck.

I've always had our batteries replaced by the RAA and (touch wood) not had any problems.

Hopefully Century will come to the party a bit for you.

Maris

[phaeton]

If you bought it in May I'd go back to the store you bought it from and see if there is warranty if so get them to claim it.

We use the Exide brand at work as they're Australian except the Euro (Exide) batteries which come from Europe.

[Lams]

There is 1 yr warranty on the battery, but I'm unsure on repairs to the car. I'll let you know how it goes

[Aussie Volks Guy]

Probably loaded it up too much with all those neon's underneath the car

See what Super Cheap has to say about it - good luck.

[jnrdavo]

mate, you need to work at a place that can fix things like that without any issues