What's the news?
CompleteCar.ie has learned that Volkswagen Group Ireland has supplied its dealer network, which includes Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen, with a letter that may be used by dealers for buyers of used vehicles that are affected by the EA 189 emissions cheating software. In the letter it explains that future work will be required to be carried out and that the buyer is asked to sign a disclaimer stating they are fully aware of the status of the vehicle that they are buying. Although Volkswagen Group has supplied this to all of its franchised dealers it is not believed that this is mandatory for the dealer or the buyer, nor is it a condition of sale.
In the letter it states that when a solution to the emissions issue is prepared they will be contacted to arrange to have the remedial work carried out. It also clearly states that there are no safety-related issues with the car in question as a result of the work due to be carried out.
Such a move has caused concern amongst other brands and dealers who may currently have affected cars sitting in their own used stock on forecourts. Naturally this measure is designed to protect Volkswagen Group dealers from any further customer issues down the line but where this leaves independent or non-franchise dealers remains unclear. It is not yet known whether non-franchise retailers selling affected used cars will be asked to adopt a similar approach.
Anything else?
This action is likely to have come as the result of legal advice and to prevent some people from potentially capitalising on a purchase by anticipating a form of compensation further down the line. Although the reason behind the letter does not mask anything untoward, it may give some potential buyers a cause for second thoughts.