If you love the style, safety and driving dynamics of a Volkswagen but thought maintenance costs were a barrier to owning one, it’s time to think again.
Tony Lyford, Volkswagen New Zealand’s national service manager says the perception that Volkswagens are expensive to maintain is a historical one.
“We have done the comparisons and have found that we are competitive when compared to other non-European brand,” says Lyford.
“It originates from a time when European brands made up a small number of vehicles on New Zealand roads. As a result it was costly to land parts here as most parts came from Europe directly.”
Today Volkswagen have one the largest automotive parts warehouses in New Zealand, which helps keep costs and waiting time down.
Lyford’s assertion is backed up by international studies. In 2016 Your Mechanic published a list of the maintenance costs for the most popular car brands. This was based on estimates of total maintenance over the first decade of a car’s life - a list any car manufacturer wants to be at the bottom of. Volkswagen clocked in at 22nd out of 30 – below other main competitor non-European brands.
If owners undertake regular preventive maintenance of your Volkswagen (such as simple tasks like checking tyre pressures, fluid levels and servicing the vehicle when it is due) maintaining a Volkswagen should cost no more than a similar non-European car. Further, more often than not the Volkswagen will offer features and innovations not seen in their non-European competitors.
Five year peace-of-mind
Volkswagen New Zealand have also smoothed the road to ownership by providing a five-year mechanical warranty* (or 150, 000 km whichever occurs first) on new vehicles bought from an authorised dealer (increased in July from the original three years).
That warranty means worry-free motoring for the specified period and coverage against the repair costs of manufacturing and material defects.
Volkswagen have sweetened the deal by offering easy payment plans which can be individually tailored to suit your budget, and an online service calculator that details the up-front service costs so new car buyers have no nasty surprises.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, so by showing the cost for scheduled serving up front we’re keeping our customers informed,” says Lyford.
That motoring peace-of-mind is boosted by a five-year roadside assistance package that, among other services, includes getting access if you're locked out and even getting your car towed to an approved dealer or place of safety if needed.
Transparent service
Volkswagen Service Plans ensure all your routine servicing costs, for both genuine parts and labour are covered up front and fixed over the life of the plan you choose. Servicing also improves the residual value of your car - a fully stamped Volkswagen service history will ensure you get the highest possible resale value.
And service costs are a lot less than you might expect. That’s because Volkswagen's service schedule is on average once a year (or 15,000 kms, whichever comes first), compared with other manufacturers who demand six monthly service intervals.
Using the handy online Service Advantage Calculator you can quickly establish what the service cost for your particular model will be – price transparency is key.
If for example you’re interested in the very popular 2018 Polo GTI (which one motoring writer dubbed “the Best Car in the Real World”) using the calculator you can establish that the charges average out at just $630 a year.
Think of servicing as a day spa for your car – just drop it in at one of 20 approved service locations nationwide and let factory certified Volkswagen technicians do the work.
Find a VW to suit
That insistence on quality and integrity throughout the range, which includes small vehicles, hatches, electric vehicles, SUV’s, utes, vans and campers has won Volkswagen numerous awards and accolades. The Polo was judged the 2018 Urban Car of The Year at last year’s New York Auto show, beating competitors like the Ford Fiesta and the Suzuki Swift; while closer to home the Volkswagen Amarok was awarded Best Ute at AA Driven’s 2018 Vehicle Of The Year awards with the judges noting its superb handling, power and quality European styling inside and out.
Lyford says that whatever model you choose once you own a Volkswagen, chances are, you'll stick to the brand for life.
“We often see vehicles being kept in the family and then sold to the wider family when a new model is purchased.”
At www.volkswagen.co.nz buyers can determine what model of Volkswagen will suit their needs and budget in a few easy clicks - whether it’s towing a boat, commuting around town or hitting the highway – there’s no better time to join the Volkswagen family.
*The five year warranty offer is applicable to all new Volkswagen Passenger and Commercial models (excluding vehicle conversions) purchased at an authorised Volkswagen dealership between 01/07/2019 – 31/12/2019 or while stocks last.