I've just bought a 2014 A6 Avant 3.0 V6 BiTDI. It's the 8 speed Tiptronic and doesn't have AdBlue.
I'm taking it to my local Audi dealer for a complimentary health check, to see if there's anything seriously wrong with it, before the 3 month warranty expires.
They tell me that it's due a "recall" and this is detailed as the '23X6 workshop action software update' - to do with the 'dieselgate scandal' I believe.
Funny thing is our government recall check website and Audi.co.uk website both say there's no recall of any sort for my car.
1. Has anybody had this done and, if so, has it affected the performance of the car in any way?
2. Do I have to have the update done?
3. If I decline the update, is there any way I can tell whether they've done it without my permission - that is check before it goes in and compare to after I get it back?
Thanks.

Hello Chris,

If you read back over the years of the issues associated with emission recalls, then you will keep the vehicle as far away as possible from any Audi dealer, otherwise it will likely cost you and your wallet a lot of disappointment. 
Taking any 11 year old car to a main dealer for a ‘free’ health check would be unwise in my book, since whatever they find wrong with it will likely be due to wear and tear and not covered by your 3 month warranty, and they will mess it up re the recall. 
I would avoid any contact in that direction like the plague, but it’s your car. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Chris.

In your place I would be more concerned at ensuring the car has a complete service history than an ancient recall or update.

As for the free health check, bear in mind that nothing worthwhile in life is ever free. The only checks that will be done are those that any sensible person would do before buying a car.

That's one opinion I guess. While I realise that general wear and tear, e.g., brakes etc aren't covered by warranty, plenty other stuff is. Also, they'll give an indication of the life left in things like the brakes. There's only so much you can check when buying a car without the aid of a lift.

In my experience, when you take a car for a health check, the dealer will be looking for anything they can try to charge you for, should you be stupid enough to leave it with them! It's also a good check of the MOT that's been carried out on the day I purchased the car.

 

Thanks Chris,

My main concern - and I still maintain it is of more importance than the general condition of the vehicle - is you will leave it with them, and they will subject it to the emission recall, and by the consensus of earlier experience both you and your wallet will be adversely affected. 
Why not book it to a trusted local independent. 
We can only advise you on the basis of ….if it were mine….

Would you please do us a kindness Chris and let us know how you get on. 

After receiving the 'horror stories' from this and other forums, I've decided to take the advice and stay away from the dealer. Cancelled the complimentary health check and will book another check at an Audi independent.

Thanks

 

Thanks Chris, you know it makes sense as DelBoy would have said!

Independent?
I would make doubly sure they understand you don’t want them to carryout the emission recall. 
Please let us know the outcome of the inspection.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Will do.