T5 van was geting a whiff of fumes in the cab. I do most things but after googling possible causes etc decide not a job for me so make an appointment with a local VAG indy specialist nearby, who do seem to have good reviews on-line. I tell them the symptoms and they agree to stick it up on the ramp, tell me to come back a bit later. I agree to pay 1/2 hour labour for their full inspection and report (£35).I come back and they tell me the manifold is mullered with holes, exhaust paste and snapped off studs – previous owner had obviously bodged it. I ask how much to fix it, they quote £450 for the manifold, various gaskets, several hours labour + vat= £1200, but say it might be more as some specialist drilling might be needed to get the broken studs out of the block. I said thanks for looking, I’ll go and have a think as it is quite a bit more than I was thinking/hoping just wanted to get a second opinion and quote if it was going to be that much).

I get recommended another VW specialist from the nearby place who convert T5’s. Go and see the bloke there, he has a look there and then, shows me, and says the manifold is fine, should be as it’s a later model, no busted studs and then does a reverse smoke test to find the leak (very impressive btw). He finds a small gasket leaking the exhaust/turbo side of the manifold. Quotes 2 hours labour plus the £8 gasket. I agree plus an oil & all filters change whilst he’s at it as due anyway. Booked in and all done for £200. It’s fine now, no smells any more.

Which I guess leads to the original title question. I’m happy with the result now and most of the time I can’t be arsed to do anything following poor service, just don’t use again but for this I almost feel a duty to warn others or report this first garage for such bullshitting. And I suspect if I had used them they would have sold on a perfectly good used manifold to get even more money, but that bit’s just conjecture. Thoughts?

I would suggest a photo of the manifold in its fine state and ask the garage owner if he can identify the holes/gum etc. Then trading standards. Sadly your word against theirs.

Do you ever think they just didn’t want to do it?

(currently looking for a T5 camper!)

That kind of thing is the same as ripping vulnerable house owners off for
fake roof repairs.
You could if you wanted to help them out , offer them the opportunity to tell you a fib about how they got your van mixed up with another that came in the same day.
Just post a review – somebody has to otherwise they will keep doing it.

**** scumbags, savage them online as much as you’re able.

They deserve to go out of business.
Tell everyone, including Trading Standards.

What is the name of the garage that has told a bucket full of lies to you about your T5 ?

Too right name and shame, leave a review, in this day and age traders should know that consumers have these tools at our disposal. Do they know where you live?

h4muf – Member
Do you ever think they just didn’t want to do it?
(currently looking for a T5 camper!)

I’m selling one if you want.

I agree to pay 1/2 hour labour for their full inspection and report (£35)

Did you have the report in writing ?

I’d certainly want my £35 back pretty quick.

Gut feeling is that I don’t particularly want any dealings or any potential confrontation with them now I have found a good garage and all is well, just leave a review and send details or call local trading standards to tell them what happened. Let’s just say it’s an indy vw Audi specialist in Christchurch, Dorset. Yes have their report / estimate.

You have the report then go to trading standards. Tell the garage you are going to aswell.

The effing bastrds

Alternatively, be thankful it only cost you £200, let it go and move on. Pick your battles carefully.

Are you 100% sure that the second garage has done all of the work that was needed . Some garages are just more picky about fixing thing than others .

At the very least name the garage that found and fixed the fault….currently looking for a VW van specialist

Is there a known common fault with the manifold studs failing?
The 1st guys might be covering themselves in case one or two shear on removal of the manifold , and a simple job becomes an very expensive one.

Or they are just theiving gits who know if you can afford £9k for a T5 you have deep pockets and their mrs has just booked 2 weeks in villa in Tuscany, which you are paying for.

Trading Standards +1

Think of the next poor pensioner that they steal from and imo it is theft.

Most definitely need to give them a bad review where you read the original good reviews. Inc a pic of the report if possible. These reviews are what a lot of people use for unknowns – its what you used!
I’d probably put a photo of the report on my FB page as well and a description of what you described above. I wouldnt want anyone else getting stung by the same BS.

Thats a truly shocking pack of lies they have told you, and it needs to be known.

– Assuming all you tell has been correct of course!

Trading Standards, on-line review and share details of the good guys.

I’m pretty sure if your manifold was full of holes or not attached properly, you’d hear it, it would sound like a dragster, plus it would run horrendously.

Whatever the reason for them telling you that, they were lying through thier teeth.

^ Exactly. Just left a couple of (fair) reviews of my experience. Interestingly the most recent other review showing up is poor too and suggests this particular place has gone downhill rapidly since a change in boss. Also submitted the trading standards / CAB form. I’m glad I never actually used them for the work and by reviewing/reporting, it might save others from doing so. I will of course leave a positive review for the other place for any VAG users out there in the Hants/Dorset area.