PeterWJames

Did you further your claim though? I find usually threatening to do it wont work, im currently staying polite and reasoning with them. If I have to resort to legal action they wont see it coming (just like my breakdown) ill just just do it. I have tried to ensure that everything is in writing so that I can take it to court, but I wont stop there, this is a great story for the media such as watchdog. Its not the money for me its the bloomin; principle. I purchased a flagship vehicle from a premium brand the quality of service that I would expect has fallen far too short. When they discovered this alternator was a problem they should have recalled all vehicles and replaced it with the updated part, not wait until their customer became stranded by the side of the road. It is sad to see but they have lost an Audi customer Ive traded the car in for another brand Im so disappointed with Audi VW group Ill never buy another.

In my case it was the first thing the AA man checked he was quite thorough, the independent garage also confirmed it was the alternator, the problem hasnt returned since which also confirms it was the alternator (Of course its also a common known fault). Audi are being difficult because I had it repaired independently, but lawfully I can have a warranty repair done by whoever I want so long as it is carried out to the manufacturers service schedule and uses approved parts. They have suggested if I am unhappy with their reply to my complaint I should go to the motor ombudsman, I think I would rather take the legal route as I have plenty of stuff in my favour. If I had not researched the fault I would have been none the wiser, I wonder how many other Audi owners have had the misfortune of this and not had the foresight to google it, and just paid the bill

Yep I get all of that, but should it have happened in the first place? The car new is over £100k its 4 years old with 33k miles, the fault is well known. I think statutory rights would argue that it should not have happened which is why Audi have extended the warranty on the part, legally they have to show willing. However, I am not sure that they have completely exhonorated thier obligations. How many people like me have gone through the experience and just paid without question, under the assumption that its out of warranty. How many ended up taking their car to a local garage to get the work done because Audi gave them a long lead time or a much higher quote? The fact is when you buy anything there is a life expectancy regardless of warranty, and consumer rights trump warranties when it comes to a known common product failure. I am sure that my car will be fine now for as long as I own the car, but is this the issue? I think my trust in the brand has gone completely out of the window.

Thanks Alex, Sadly its too late for dealer shenanigans I got it done by an independent garage as I was blissfully unaware that it was under extended warranty, and because Brighton Audi couldnt do it for a month. I would have phoned Worthing (I live in Storrington, broke down near Brighton) if it were not for the fact I had to drive the car with a battery fault and I was concerned about damaging the car further. Im hoping that Audi UK see sense.

To be fair the car is lovely, it drives lovely, as good as the SClass but I just have no confidence in the car anymore. I kept the Merc longer than I would have normally, I used to change cars every three years up until Covid, I ended up keeping the Merc 2 years longer mainly due to not being able to go to dealers then convenience. The Merc was fine well outside its warranty, I thought the Audi would be the same I did a lot more miles in the Merc as well. Audi Worthing have just called me they said the alternator is plugged in and all the messages have been cleared they will charge it overnight test drive it and all being well I will get it back tomorrow. Ive just got fight Audi UK after that. Also I got a chip in the windscreen a few days before I broke down, apparently thats now turned into a crack but I have windscreen cover. Thanks for the replies

I think that legally I have a good case, and there will be plenty of no win no fee ambulance chasers willing to take them on. I am glad this forum is here though as without it I just would never have known there was a common problem. Im not into my cars as probably most of the members here which is why I never looked to join a Audi forum till now. I purchased the A8 as Audi is a premium brand (or so I thought) I wanted a comfortable car fully loaded HUD, adaptive cruise ect which was near on standard across the range. My last car was a S Class (I have a feeling its soon to be my next) But they stopped the HUD as standard and the prices jumped when they released the facelifted model

Hi everyone I have suffered from the dreaded alternator failure which has caused my pain beyond belief Ive been 2 weeks without my car and I have lost all faith in Audi and my vehicle. I was totally unaware that this fault was a thing let alone covered by warranty. My warranty ran out 11 months or so ago but a 4 year old premium car with 33k miles I thought what could possibly go wrong? Well my story is laid out below in my letter complaining to Audi UK. I wondered what my chance of getting my money back are without having to go legal with them. I am writing to express my considerable disappointment regarding a serious alternator failure on my 2022 Audi A8, (Registration number xxxxxx), together with the handling of the matter and the financial burden I have been left to bear despite subsequently learning that this component appears to be subject to an extended warranty. My vehicle is only approximately one year outside of its standard manufacturer warranty. On Wednesday 6th of May, a battery warning light appeared on the dashboard. I contacted my local garage who advised that the issue was most likely the battery and suggested I bring the vehicle in so that they could arrange replacement if required. However, while travelling to the garage, the warning escalated to a red warning light. Given the seriousness of the situation, I stopped immediately and contacted the AA. Upon inspection, the attending engineer diagnosed a failed alternator rather than a battery issue. Due to the nature of the failure and the vehicle being undriveable without assistance, the AA advised recovery to the nearest Audi dealership. As the vehicle could not be towed conventionally, the AA engineer fitted a temporary battery in the boot to provide sufficient power to allow me to carefully drive the vehicle to a dealership. I contacted Brighton Audi, the nearest dealership, and was told I could bring the car in; however, no work could be undertaken until the first week of June. I found this wholly impractical. Being without my vehicle for approximately a month was simply not feasible. Consequently, I reluctantly arranged for my trusted local garage to replace the alternator, as they were able to undertake the work the following day. Unfortunately, after sourcing and fitting the replacement alternator, it transpired that the unit required programming by Audi before the vehicle could be returned to service. I again contacted Brighton Audi and was informed that assistance still could not be provided until June. I therefore contacted Worthing Audi who have kindly agreed to programme the alternator on 20 May at no charge. However, I must still incur the expense of transporting the vehicle by flatbed due to its four-wheel-drive system and inability to be conventionally towed. Since this incident, I have researched the matter further and was deeply concerned to discover that alternator failure on this model appears to be a recognised issue. I also understand that legal action has arisen in the United States relating to this fault and, more importantly, that Audi UK has reportedly extended the warranty on this component to seven years. At no point was I informed of any extended warranty relating to the alternator. Had I been made aware, I would clearly have pursued repair through Audi rather than incurring substantial costs myself. It is particularly frustrating that I received communication advising me when the vehicle’s standard warranty expired, yet no communication appears to have been issued to notify owners of an extension to warranty coverage for a major component prone to failure. I have already asked Worthing Audi whether reimbursement of the alternator replacement costs may be possible, but was informed that this is unlikely because the repair was undertaken by an independent garage. I must respectfully challenge this position. I only sought an independent repair because Audi was unable to offer assistance within a reasonable time-frame during what was effectively a breakdown situation. Waiting several weeks with an unusable flagship vehicle was not a realistic option. In light of the circumstances, I believe it is entirely reasonable to request: Reimbursement of the alternator replacement costs £1,750.000 Genuine Audi Alternator used Reimbursement of vehicle transportation/recovery costs to Worthing Audi £ 120.00 Written confirmation regarding the extended alternator warranty and why affected customers, including myself, were not proactively informed; Confirmation that the vehicle battery has not been adversely affected by the alternator failure and deep discharge event, or appropriate remedial action if required. I have always regarded Audi as a premium manufacturer and the A8 as its flagship vehicle. I therefore find this experience particularly disappointing. Beyond the significant financial cost, this matter has caused considerable inconvenience, worry, and loss of confidence in a vehicle that I expected to be engineered and supported to a far higher standard. I hope Audi UK will review this matter fairly and respond with an appropriate resolution.