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This new type of service.

I have owned 3 VW’s in recent times. 2 absolutely trouble free the third and latest has had problems. It’s a Tiguan here after called Tiggy. Well Tiggy made what I thought to be transmission noises which started about 400 miles from home. I stopped at Toowoomba, about 800 miles away and made a booking at a VW service centre. I was greeted by a well groomed intermediate service person who wore a tie and worked from a counter which was as sterile as a hospital theatre. He gave directions to the mechanic, received his report in return and read it to me. I was told stuff that I already knew.Transmission full of oil full but noisy. Timing belt a non manufacturers component which I feel was resentment for not using VW genuine parts. Take to a transmission specialist. I did this and yes found they did have mechanical skill. The problem was the result of a poor repair job which followed a crash by the previous owner. Nothing relating to the dealers findings. Today’s modern motor car mechanics are on the decline. Computers read off any mechanical and electrical problems, technicians who read the results have little or no mechanical knowledge or skill.

My wife recently filled our diesel vehicle’s fuel tank with petrol by error. When she called VW for their advise she was told to take it to a VW dealer. This was not possible because it wouldn’t start let alone drive about 100 miles. She sort the help of a local small town mechanic who simply pumped out the petrol and replaced with diesel.

I reckon most all owners can speak of simular incidences with modern technicians. In addition many owners have about zero knowledge of their car. I recently purchased a fuel filter and the spare parts man congratulated me on knowing the type of engine in my motor car. He said most people didn’t.

What is causing this erosion of skills. Generally speaking motor cars have become reliable but complex. Dealers don’t make much money on a new sale and rely on service, repairs and sales of spare parts. It seems manufacturers have obliged. Owners have become more interested in style and fashion and have become trendies who seem to require the latest models.

In my garage I have a 91 year old motor car. I understand the mechanics and can make simple repairs. Compare this to the modern vehicle which will become landfill in only a short time. I do ask myself just where we have gone wrong. Do you readers feel the same as I do?