Malfunctioning dash pod on Audi TT

HELPDESK:Your motoring queries answered

From B Dempsey: My 02- registered Audi TT recently broke down due to a faulty ‘dash pod’ (binnacle). This, it would appear, also caused damage to the electrics and sensors within the car over a period of time. I had the dash pod replaced at a large cost. Audi Ireland say they are not aware of any difficulties with the dash pod – however, my uncle recently had his third one fail in the UK, where I believe the problem is better known. Please could you shed some light?

According to an Audi Ireland spokesman, there was a quality issue from one of their suppliers that caused an unacceptably high failure rate with some instrument panel components in the previous generation TT, on cars built between 2000 and 2003.

“The affected components were LCD displays (dimming of the displays) and the needle motors (erratic movements). There was never a safety issue with these components and our measures were discussed and endorsed by the safety authorities in the UK at the time,” hesays in response to our queries.

In terms of your uncle’s experience, he says that Audi UK extended the warranty cover on the previous TT for these components by a further two years.

Audi Ireland only recently became a direct subsidiary of the manufacturer in Germany, so the previous responsibility for Audi in Ireland was with a local distributor. “For whatever reason the previous importer was either not aware or not responsive to the issue,” according to the spokesman.

He says dealers will now be advised that a previous model TT owner which has this problem on a vehicle purchased in the Republic of Ireland with a fair service history and no other apparent impairments to the vehicle caused by tuning, modifications or unusual mileage will be eligible for a maximum €200 refund on the service invoice at an authorised dealer that includes the replacement of these parts.

A copy of the invoice simply needs to be presented by the dealer to Audi Ireland aftersales on behalf of the customer and the customer will be credited directly. This offer will be available until December 31st 2010.

From MB: I drive a Hyundai Tucson commercial 4wd 2008, which I bought new for €24,500 and I am very satisfied with it. My wife drives a 2007 Hyundai Sonata 2.0 CRDi with a top specification, which was bought new in 2007 for €32,000.

I asked my local Hyundai dealer where I bought the cars what it would cost to trade both against a top spec Sonata 2.0 CRDi, which retails at €28,000 approximately and was told I would have to pay €6,500 on top of the trade-ins. What do you think? Are there any other options?

It would suggest the dealer is not valuing the trade-ins very highly. Admittedly the market is awash with commercials of all makes as businesses close or unload unused vehicles. That has seriously hurt resale values on such vehicles and dealers may be loath to add to their burgeoning number of used commercials in stock.

Depending on mileage and condition, we have seen 2007 Tucsons on offer from about €13,000, but deals are being done at lower prices. The Sonata could conservatively fetch about €12,000. These are sales prices, however, so trade-in values will be lower. He is offering you €21,500 for them so it’s not wildly out of line, if a little less than what you might expect.

Your options are to trade privately or try another dealer. However, not every dealer will want to take in two used cars for one new sale, particularly if one of them is a commercial.

In terms of the new car purchase, alongside the Sonata, you should also try out the Skoda Superb, Seat Exeo and Opel Insignia. All are worth a test drive and offer well-equipped models within the €28,000 price range.

See what dealers in these brands will offer for trade-in then make the call. Ultimately I think you’ll find the Hyundai dealer offer is pretty much the norm.