As a Volkswagen owner, we hope you know your vehicle is built to last. We strongly believe in the quality and durability of all VW Group vehicles.
However, to maximise your Volkswagen’s lifespan and enhance its performance, remember a few essential things. Alongside a better, longer-lasting car, you’ll be more comfortable and retain the vehicle’s value better. This leads to more cash in your pocket when it comes time to sell.
In this blog, we offer expert advice on taking care of your Volkswagen to keep it running smoothly for years to come.
Regular servicing and maintenance
The first and most crucial step in maintaining your Volkswagen is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Though a legal requirement, the MOT is a ‘bare minimum’ series of checks and tests. Even if your car passes, it might still realistically need some repairs.
Regular servicing ensures your vehicle is in perfect working order. It’s vital for identifying potential problems before they become significant issues.
A service should include an oil change, a check of all the fluids, brakes, tyres and a thorough inspection of the engine and other essential components. More in-depth services may also include other filter replacements (air, cabin and fuel), spark plug or glow plug swaps, alignment checks and even a full car clean.
Ignoring routine maintenance can damage your Volkswagen, affecting its safety, performance and value. For example, the oil in your engine is designed to operate in all predictable seasons and temperatures. Without scheduled oil changes, the additives break down, leading to an overheating, underperforming engine. If left unchecked for some time, it could even seize and stop working permanently, writing your car off.
Choosing the right parts and services
When it comes to parts and services, choosing those specifically designed for your Volkswagen is critical. Genuine parts and services are always the best option – they’re manufactured to the highest standards and tested for quality and durability.
Using OEM – original equipment manufacturer – aftermarket parts is also usually okay. However, these components are designed to be a suitable replacement for all sorts of cars, meaning they sometimes don’t fit as well and are often made of less durable structures and materials. In some cases, they’re very poorly produced and fail prematurely, meaning you actually spend more in the long run.
Using genuine parts and services also ensures that your vehicle’s warranty remains valid. Any approved garage can carry out a VW-specific service. Ensure you get the relevant paperwork after the work has been completed.
Practical tips for everyday care of your Volkswagen
Taking care of your Volkswagen on a daily basis is vital. It’s not just the technicians who can look after your car – you should, too. Regularly washing and waxing your vehicle keeps it looking great and helps protect the paintwork from chips and scratches. It also protects against rust and increases the vehicle’s value, as potential buyers can see it’s been well-maintained.
Keeping the interior clean and vacuuming regularly looks after the carpets. Again, this makes it a much more comfortable, hygienic atmosphere to sit in and maintains the car’s market worth.
Finally, remember those regular weekly or bi-weekly checks. Use a tyre pressure gauge (you can pick one up from Halfords or any similar shop) to see how much air pressure your tyres are holding. Read the recommended values from your owner’s manual or the plate on the door frame (not the tyre sidewall). Look for any significant cracks in the rubber while you’re there.
If any tyres are too low, use an inflator to put air back in. If its pressure has reduced again by the time the next check comes around, you may have a puncture. Go to a VW technician to get it checked out. As well as the tyres, you should also check the engine oil level using the dipstick, and visually inspect the remaining under-bonnet fluids. These might include the coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and windscreen washer fluid.
Get your VW serviced with Sunset in Derby
Volkswagen vehicles are known for reliability and performance, but regular maintenance and repairs are essential to maximise their lifespan. With servicing and MOTs, an emphasis on high-quality parts, and a little TLC at home, you’ll keep your VW spick and span.
Sunset VW in Derby is your friendly local Volkswagen garage. Our experienced technicians and mechanics perform routine services, repairs, MOTs and much more here. We’ll always explain everything to you in approachable terms, ensuring you know what’s wrong – or potentially wrong – with your car and what we suggest we do to fix or check it.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information about our VW-specific services and repairs. Our team would be delighted to explain more about us and what we can do for you.