Volkswagen Ireland - where falsehoods rule.

Back in May I bought a VW Golf. Base model. Being a VW it comes with not a whole lot and certain things are extra.

After a week I noticed that the website and brochure mentioned items as standard which my car didn't have so I fired off an email to the VW distributors for Ireland. They requested my chassis number and I heard no more. I sent a reminder in June and got a "oh dear we'll check it.." email in response.

At the beginning of this month I decided to send them an email again but this time CC'ed it to the VW boys back in Der Vaterland. It worked and I got a quick email back from VW Ireland which said: / "Thank you for your query which I received this morning.

Although listed in the brochure and on the website, I wish to inform you that the two items of specification referred to i.e. Illuminated Vanity Mirrors and Load-Through Provision, are not currently standard on the base model Golf. I would like to bring your attention to points 6 and 7 of the terms and conditions listed on the Volkswagen website:

6. Although the specifications, illustrations, equipment and other information contained in this site are based upon up to date information and while MDL makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that all material on this site is correct, accuracy cannot be guaranteed and MDL makes no warranties or representations as to its accuracy. All warranties in relation to the information contained in this site whether express or implied by law are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. 7. Before placing an order for an Volkswagen product the User shall confirm the exact specification thereof with an authorised Volkswagen dealership.

and also to the note on page 51 of the VW Golf brochure where it states "The specifications contained in this brochure are for information purposes only as we cannot confirm the exact specifications of the vehicles. If you require any specific feature, you must consult your Volkswagen dealer who is regularly updated with any change in specification. Please check model availability and full specification with your Volkswagen dealer prior to ordering"

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me."/

So in this VW are claiming the usual defence of what you see in the brochure may not be what's available, check it out beforehand etc.

But - and here's the nub - their website for the Golf (http://www.volkswagen.ie/configurator/index.cfm?fuseaction=vw.Standard&variantID=5816 ) still says :

/"Asymmetrically Split Backrest 1/3 / 2/3 With Load Through Provision And Rear Centre Armrest"/ even though they know that the vehicle will not ship in this configuration and unlike printed brochures the web page could be changed in a flash. So much for German efficiency or is it just rip-off Ireland ? Strangely enough the other two new cars I have ever bought complied exactly with the brochures.

So is VW a company which entices customers with knowing falsehoods ? Sheesh Ryanair are more upfront than that....