Robert J

Review of Keffer Volkswagen

The service department here at Keffer VW is a huge...

The service department here at Keffer VW is a huge rip-off. I took my Passat 1.8T in for service for a coolant leak at the top back of the engine. I researched it online and found it was a pretty common issue with older 1.8T engines leaking from the plastic rear coolant flange VW used on this engine. The flange has a couple of hoses that connect to it and also houses the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor. It is usually recommended that you replace the sensor when you replace the flange even though it is working fine. It has to be removed to replace the flange so it doesn t generate any extra labor charges or I should say it shouldn t generate any. To make a long story shorter, I called the day before and asked how much does it cost to get the coolant flanged replaced and was quoted $347. I know that didn t include the ECT sensor so I knew it would be a little higher. So, I dropped off my Passat the next day, told them what was wrong with the car and I was told they would diagnose and call to confirm repair. Jason Tate called me a few hours later and told me I was correct it was the coolant flange that was leaking and the repair would cost $615 including the ECT sensor. 615 dollars to replace a 25 dollar flange!!! The tech also recommended a coolant flush and fill for an additional $149. Jason told me the price of the flange was $50 or so, I don t remember exactly, and I told him I had looked it up online and the VW list price is $25.18 and he said it was a pricing mistake and changed it list price. That brought the total down to $580 or $590 something. I told him I didn t want the flush and fill, but go ahead with the flange repair. When got there to pick it up I started to question why it cost so much to do this repair when the book price is $347, Jason just looked bewildered that I knew how much it was supposed to cost. They charged me $80 for the ECT sensor which has a VW list price of $37.96. How can they justify charging someone over double the list price for a part? That is unconscionable!
If you like being RIPPED OFF please take your VW to Keffer for service.