VW diesel recall

May 24, 2017 4:00 PM

How much time from documentation to return?

I just sent in my paperwork (completely) for the VW recall. I'm just curious for those of you who sold back your vehicles, how long did it take to get the paperwork approved and to get an appointment?

I know that we waited a bit longer so I'm assuming we aren't falling into the initial sell back rush, but I'm just not sure if I should start looking for replacement vehicles or if this is going to take awhile.

Also, how long did your appointment at the dealership take? I'll probably have two little kids with me so this is pertinent info?

posted by aetg to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

My appointment was super fast, pretty much in and out.

I think it took about 3-4 weeks to get everything processed before I could schedule, but that was early in the process. Once I got approved, it was another couple of weeks before my appointment, but this was over the holidays and I had to work around some travel. The dealership actually called me to get me in sooner when someone rescheduled, but I couldn't make it due to the aforementioned travel.
posted by ghost phoneme at 4:10 PM on May 24, 2017 [1 favorite]

If you're talking about the 2.0 buyback, you should probably take into account that the 3.0 buyback JUST started (that's my group, so bummed about this).
posted by PorcineWithMe at 4:17 PM on May 24, 2017

There were a few more steps - and once the online process got to 'documents approved' and I had to upload a notarized something something, it was still two weeks before I was eligible for an appointment. I even tried to push it up, since I'd just put the deposit down on the new car, but when I called they said the two weeks is court-mandated.

My email records show that I uploaded the first docs on 4/25, I complied with all requests within a day, and my appointment is 6/2.

TDI forums are a good resource, for what happens at the appointment. It sounds quick.
posted by Dashy at 6:42 PM on May 24, 2017

My appointment was super quick. Went in, signed a form, they gave me a receipt, I handed over my keys and was on my way. All told, less than ten minutes. One annoyance: if you had a loan and made a payment in the time since you initially signed your agreement, you will not get that as part of this settlement. Instead, they'll overpay the lender who will then refund you the payment after your account is closed.
posted by scantee at 7:32 PM on May 24, 2017

We had as much done and entered before the settlement was finalized. We received our offer package on 11/25 and returned our notarized offer letter on 12/7. We were given clearance to schedule our appointment the same day, and on 12/8 we scheduled an appointment for 12/28 (the earliest available at the time).

The appointment took approximately 15 minutes and was very simple. Just handed over the keys, they looked at the car, and we signed a piece of paper. VW emailed us a transaction receipt the same day. The salesman who was handling it did ask if we were interested in shopping for a new vehicle, but when I said "No," he didn't press the issue. The look I gave him may have had something to do with that. We had a toddler with us. I let him run around the show room and touch the cars. I might still be bitter about the whole scandal.

We had our replacement vehicle taken care of before we went in (we're a one-car family). Other dealers were very much aware of the VW issues and finance people had no trouble writing off the other car loan, even though we technically, on paper, still owned it (and owed for it). A few manufacturers and/or dealerships offered some token "Sorry VW Screwed You" Cash Back offers, so make sure you mention the VW scandal when you're buying your new car, just in case.
posted by terilou at 7:58 AM on May 25, 2017

fyi, my appointment was 10 minutes. Rep verified mileage and took pictures, I signed two docs (limited power of attorney and mileage documentation), gave me my plate, got a receipt, boom, done.

I got the Chase email with the money just short of two business days later.
posted by Dashy at 11:12 AM on June 6, 2017