0300 102 9488  |  info@consumerprotection.org.uk  |  Mon–Fri 9am–5pmTrack my case  |  Alerts  |  Simple view

Guides › Company Guides › Volkswagen UK

How to Complain to Volkswagen UK

Volkswagen says to contact your local retailer or authorised repairer first, then Volkswagen UK Customer Services by phone, email, live chat or post. It aims to resolve complaints within 10 days, though complex cases can take longer. If it is not put right, you can take it to The Motor Ombudsman.

Last checked 4 October 2026 Independent guide, not legal advice

At A Glance

30 daysshort-term right to reject a faulty car bought from a dealer
6 monthsfaults are presumed to have been there at delivery
14 daysto cancel a car bought online or by phone from a dealer

Your Rights

What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.

Complaining to Volkswagen UK

  • How to Complain

    Volkswagen says to contact your local retailer or authorised repairer first, then Volkswagen UK Customer Services by phone, email, live chat or post. It aims to resolve complaints within 10 days, though complex cases can take longer. source

  • When You Can Escalate

    If you are dissatisfied after Volkswagen's internal review Scheme: The Motor Ombudsman. source

Buying from A Dealer

  • Quality and Description

    Dealer sales: goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described (Consumer Rights Act 2015). If a car fails these tests you have a short-term right to reject and get a full refund within 30 days, counted from when ownership, delivery and any installation are complete (s.22). source

  • After 30 days

    After the 30 days you can ask for a free repair or replacement; the trader normally gets one attempt, after which you can claim a price reduction or the final right to reject (s.19). source

  • First 6 Months

    For the first 6 months a fault is presumed to have been there at delivery unless the dealer proves otherwise; after 6 months you must show the fault was already present (s.19(15)). source

  • Deductions for Use

    For motor vehicles the dealer may reduce a final-right-to-reject refund by a deduction for your use, including in the first 6 months, which is the exception to the general no-deduction rule in s.24. source

  • Buying Online or by Phone

    If you buy a car at a distance (online or by phone) from a dealer you generally have a 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, starting the day after you receive the goods; you have a further 14 days to return it. There is no automatic right in a showroom purchase. source

Time Limits to Know

Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.

  • 30 days
    Short-term right to reject a faulty car bought from a dealer30 days beginning the day after ownership, delivery and any installation are complete
  • 6 months
    Faults presumed present at deliveryFirst 6 months from delivery
  • 14 days
    Cancelling an online or phone purchase from a dealer14 days to notify from the day after delivery, then 14 days to return the goods
  • 6 years
    Legal action for goods problems in England and WalesGenerally up to 6 years after you paid (Citizens Advice; 5 years in Scotland)

Steps to Take

Step 1 of 5

Gather your evidence: order, account or booking number, dates, receipts, screenshots, emails and notes of calls.

Step 2 of 5

Complain to Volkswagen UK in writing using the route below, and ask for a complaint reference. Say what went wrong, what you want, and by when (14 days is reasonable). Our free letter templates can write it for you.

Step 3 of 5

Keep a record of every contact: dates, names and reference numbers. Use email or a form where you can, so you have proof.

Step 4 of 5

If you are not getting anywhere, ask for a final response in writing.

Step 5 of 5

If it is still not put right, take it to The Motor Ombudsman.

(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)

Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right

Your options, in order, and when each one applies. Most are free; court claims have fees.

Volkswagen UK Complaints

Always start here, in writing.

The Motor Ombudsman

Once Volkswagen UK has had its chance. See When You Can Escalate under Your Rights.

Your Card Provider

If you paid by card, Section 75 (credit card) or chargeback (debit card) may help.

Citizens Advice Consumer Service

Free advice. It can pass a report to Trading Standards.

Small Claims Court

A last resort if nothing else works. Citizens Advice explains when it is worth it.

Good to Know

Small things that make your complaint stronger.

Volkswagen Financial Services complaints have their own process.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a car bought from a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. The same right to reject within 30 days and the 6-month presumption of a fault being there from the start are set out for goods generally.

Keep the advert, invoice, service history and every message. Report faults in writing straight away and keep copies of repair invoices.

Garage work must be done with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. You can ask for it to be put right or for a price reduction.

Consumer Protection UK is independent and is not connected to Volkswagen UK. This guide uses information published by Volkswagen UK and the schemes named here. All product names, logos and brands are property of their respective owners.

Want Help?

If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.

Start your case
Luke Marley

Lead reviewer

Luke Marley

Founder and Lead Reviewer

Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.

Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.

Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.

Free Scam and Recall Alerts

Plain-English scam warnings, product recalls and consumer-law changes by email. We email you about this only, and you confirm your address first. Unsubscribe at any time.

See our privacy notice.

Start your case