Volkswagen help

What is the current lead time/delivery time for a Volkswagen?

For a bespoke new car that is ordered directly from the factory, lead times will vary depending on which model and specification you choose. Our retailers have the most up-to-date information and we encourage you to discuss this with them if a short lead time is important to you. 
You don't always have to wait for a vehicle to be built in the factory; in many cases it's possible we can find a car which is already built and may even be in the UK. Please contact your local retailer and they will be delighted to help find a car that meets all your needs or use our contact-me form to arrange for them to get in touch.

Does Volkswagen provide insurance?

Yes, please look at our Insurance section.

Where can I find information on CO2 emissions?

CO2 information can be found on the website under the New cars menu option. Select the model choice, then click on 'Configure' to see the details.

Does my finance plan come with three years servicing?

Please speak to your local retailer to find out what your finance plan covers.

What is included in a Winter Pack?

It depends on the model but normally this includes heated front seats and heated windscreen washer jets. Please visit the New cars section of the site for more details.

What incentives are available for electric and hybrid car buyers?

There are currently lots of financial incentives to encourage you to make the switch to electric. For example, in 2020 the UK government is offering a £3,000 grant which can significantly reduce the purchase price of the car. You’ll also benefit from no road tax, free charging in some supermarkets, retail and entertainment parks, gyms and even council car parks and free parking in many places. Some cities will also let you use the bus lane. Find the latest government grant information here and discover the latest electric car offers .

How does recharging your electric vehicle work?

You can simply plug your car into an electric socket using the supplied cable when you come home in the evening and drive off fully recharged in the morning. The power point and electrical installation have to be in good working order and checked by a professional electrician. It’s faster with a wallbox, which can be ordered through a Volkswagen retailer. Or you can fill up at a public DC quick-charge station.
Depending on where you fill up, charging time takes between less than 30 minutes and up to 12 hours:

• CCS charging station : up to 30 minutes
• Wallbox: 6 to 8 hours
• Household power point: 10 to 12 hours

For more information on charging, please see our comprehensive guide all about charging.

How expensive is it to 'refuel' once?

At its standard energy consumption of 15.7 kWh/100km (62 miles) and given an electricity price of 15.7p per kWh, the total cost would be around £0.04 per mile. The battery capacity of the ID.3 1ST Edition is 58 kWh (Net) so it would cost £9.11 to fully charge the battery from empty.

How long can the vehicle be parked without the battery discharging, if no charging option is nearby?

That depends on the outdoor temperature and the battery state when it is parked. If the battery is full, and the outdoor temperature is low (a condition that is generally met, even in a British summer), the car can stay parked like this for several months.

What happens if I drive until the battery is completely discharged?

If a customer overestimates the car's range and the battery becomes fully drained, they can have the car towed free-of-charge to either the nearest Volkswagen authorised repairer or retailer, a public charging station or their home.

Can a battery be repaired if its energy capacity has declined?

There are no plans to repair a battery due to reduced capacity with ageing.  However, we offer an 8 year / 160,000km warranty on the battery in all our BEVs and PHEVs so if the battery capacity drops below 70%, the relevant battery module will be repaired or replaced under warranty. Repairs are only anticipated in the case of (slight) damage and the battery must be inspected and repaired by a specialised Volkswagen Retailer.

Advice for emergency services / first attenders to electric and hybrid vehicles

The material contained within this section details information for first attenders when faced with one of the Volkswagen range of electric or hybrid vehicles, where the high voltage system integrity may have been compromised following an accident or incident.
Emergency services sheet e-up
Emergency services sheet e-Golf
Emergency services sheet Golf GTE
Emergency services sheet Passat saloon GTE
Emergency services sheet Passat estate GTE
High voltage systems accident assistance recovery FAQs
This information is meant for professional services only. Further information can be found in the owner's manual and at Erwin.volkswagen.de or by contacting our customer service centre on 0800 0833 914

How often should I change my cambelt?

We recommend a cambelt change interval of 4 years for cars registered before September 2009, 5 years thereafter. Customers who reach the recommended mileage limited on their vehicles cambelt before 4 or 5 years may be advised to change their cambelt sooner.

Where can I find the paint code for my vehicle?

The paint code is printed on the vehicle data sticker, which is usually on the inside cover of the vehicle service book. There is also a data sticker located on the boot floor under the carpet/boot liner. If you are unable to find the data sticker or the paint code contact your local retailer or Volkswagen Customer Services with the vehicle details and they will be able to help.

How do I get a new key?

You can order a new key through your Volkswagen retailer. For security, only the registered owner of the vehicle can request a new key. You will be asked to provide proof of ID and ownership of the vehicle, coding a replacement key should take just over ten minutes. You will need to provide all keys required for coding, including new ones and those you wish to continue using as the key memory is wiped as part of the process. Find your local retailer

How can I find out the service history of my car?

Your local retailer  may be able to help if the vehicle has been serviced within the Volkswagen Network. Unfortunately we are not able to advise on any work carried out on vehicles outside of the Volkswagen network. We recommend owners to make contact with whoever sold you the vehicle to request the service history if missing.

How do I turn off the motion sensors on my car alarm?

The interior monitor sensors can be deactivated by using a switch, usually located on the lower B pillar (between the front and back doors) but this is dependent on the specification of the vehicle. If the deactivation switch is not on the B pillar please refer to the instructions in the owners handbook to deactivate the sensors.

How can I get a replacement locking wheel nut for my alloy wheels?

Please contact your local retailer to discuss your requirements.

My Volkswagen Roadside Assistance cover is coming to an end – can I renew it?

Yes, you can call 0800 912 1439 and our dedicated Roadside Assistance team will be able to renew your cover for 12 or 24 months or click here to renew online.

Do all new Volkswagens come with a first aid kit and warning triangle?

Not all of our vehicles come with a warning triangle and first aid kit - for example in our low emission vehicles, every gram counts towards reducing the weight of the car so that it is road tax exempt. If your chosen vehicle doesn't come with the accessories you need, have a look at our great value safety kits in our accessories range here , or talk to your local retailer about your specific requirements.

I make lots of short journeys, how will this affect my DPF?

The particles are trapped on the walls of the DPF, stored and continually disposed of, we call this process 'regeneration'. The DPF system needs the car to be driven at a constant road speed so the regeneration process can be completed successfully. Lots of short journeys and trips that involve stop/start traffic, may cause the regeneration cycle to be unsuccessful. A single, longer journey may be all that is required for regeneration to be successfully completed. If your typical driving profile involves short trips in heavy traffic, you may wish to reconsider your choice of car and may prefer to choose either an electric or hybrid model or one with a small petrol engine instead.

Where can I find a chassis number or VIN on my car?

A Chassis number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17 character alphanumeric code that identifies a vehicle. The code will be located in the bottom corner of the windscreen, on the passenger side. If your vehicle is a 1982 model or earlier, then it is likely to have a shorter VIN (e.g. a sequence of 10 numbers or less). Unfortunately we do not hold any records for these vehicles, to obtain any information or documentation please contact the Wolfsburg Museum on 0049 5361 8486 171 (English Speaking).

What is the towing capacity of my Volkswagen?

Specific towing weight capacity can be found on the left hand side of the vehicle's V5 certificate, or for generic information check our New Cars section.

A number of Volkswagen models have won awards for their towing capability but you must choose a car and caravan combination which is right for you. The Caravan Club Website has ample information about selecting the right car for your needs. Please ensure that you pick a vehicle which is suitable for towing your caravan as failure to do so may be dangerous.

What fuel should I put in my car?

For petrol engines, we recommend using fuel with a low sulphur content or sulphur-free fuel in order to achieve reduced fuel consumption. For most vehicles standard unleaded is fine (95RON) however for GTI and 'R' models we recommend super unleaded (98RON).
For diesel models, we recommend the use of diesel fuel containing up to 7% Biodiesel. Filling station forecourts supply diesel (to the standard EN590), which can contain up to 7% Biodiesel with 93% Fossil fuel.

Where can I get genuine/official Volkswagen alloy wheels for my car?

Your local retailer  offers a wide range of alloy wheels within the genuine accessories range.

How do I use a space saver spare wheel?

Have a look at our How to guide on using a space saver wheel or alternatively view your vehicles owner manual.

How do I change the battery in my Volkswagen key fob?

We recommend that the battery is replaced at a Volkswagen Retailer as it's possible the key fob may need to be synchronised after the battery has been replaced.  Find your local retailer .

I need a child seat for my car - what do you recommend and how do I fit it?

Your child's safety is a priority - for us, as well as for you. That's why we recommend and use Isofix child seat fixings in our cars. Isofix is adopted worldwide as a safer way to travel with your children. The Isofix child seat fixes directly into compatible fittings in your Volkswagen, creating a secure link. its quick, simple and there's no need to use the adult seatbelts to secure the base. All our cars have Isofix fittings in the back seats. Click here to visit our accessories section where you can find a range of Volkswagen approved child seats.

My radio is locked, where can I find the code and can I reset my radio code?

For security purposes radio codes can only be obtained through your local retailer . Positive proof of identification and of ownership may be required.

How do I switch airbags off?

If the vehicle is equipped with front passenger airbag deactivation the switch will normally be located within the passenger glovebox. If your vehicle is not equipped with front passenger airbag deactivation, please contact your local retailer who will advise if retro fitting is possible.

Does my car have any recalls / workshop / safety actions on it?

You can find out if your vehicle is subject to a safety recall by contacting your local retailer who will be able to advise you of any outstanding recalls or safety actions. If a vehicle is affected by a recall, Volkswagen UK will contact vehicle owners to advise of this. There is also a government website that can be used to check outstanding recalls for any make and model of vehicle registered in the UK - recall check .

I've lost my vehicle handbook/service schedule. How can I get a new one?

Please contact your local retailer who will be able to advise you of prices and order lead times. Replacement service books will be stamped 'Duplicate' and will not contain any previous service information or stamps.
Please note that as of May 2017 our vehicles no longer have service books as all service records are now recorded digitally. Your local retailer has access to all the history stored for your vehicle and are able to print it out. An independent repairer can add information to the records free of charge through an online system called ErWin however they can only print the information they have entered and not the entire service history.

How do I find my nearest Volkswagen approved paint and body centre?

Volkswagen has a number of approved paint and body centres. Click here to find out where your nearest one is.

How can I tell when my vehicle needs a service?

If your vehicle is on a Flexible servicing regime, the service light on the vehicle instrument panel will illuminate when your vehicle is ready to be serviced. For a Flexible service regime, this could be as little as every 18,600 miles. For a Fixed service regime, this is around a year or 10,000 miles. whichever comes first.

Are owner's manuals available for all cars?

Downloadable owner's manuals are available online for any Volkswagen dating from November 2018. You simply need to enter your registration number (or VIN). We are working on providing online owner manuals for older vehicles. In the meantime, hard copies can be ordered through your local retailer . Download an owner's manual.

What oil should I use in my Volkswagen?

Volkswagen recommends Genuine Oil for all our vehicles. Genuine Oil uses a thinner viscosity to support your car to perform at its best – reducing friction and protecting your engine under extreme performance conditions. For exact specifications please refer to your owner manual or contact your local retailer .

I’ve scratched my paint, what do I do?

Your local retailer  can help with small paint scratches. Make sure you’ve got your paint code, which can be found on your vehicle data sticker on the inside of the service book. There’s also an additional sticker located on the boot floor under the carpet/boot liner. If you are unable to find the data sticker or the paint code contact your local retailer or customer services with the vehicle details and they will help.

Can I have a tracker fitted to my car?

Cobra TrakPlus is the only vehicle tracking system approved by Volkswagen and was specifically engineered for Volkswagen by Cobra, the European market leader for stolen vehicle tracking. Have a look in our accessories section for some more information, or contact your local retailer to discuss your specific requirements.

Can you tell me the engine code for my Volkswagen?

The engine code can be found on the left hand side of the vehicle's V5 certificate.

What happens if my car is out of warranty?

More information about purchasing an extended warranty for your vehicle is available here or speak to your local retailer .

How do I remove or turn off the alarm on my vehicle?

It is not possible to remove or turn the alarm off as this would pose a security risk and could also invalidate the insurance.

My car has daytime running lights (DRL) as standard - how can I turn them off?

DRL's are special lamps which automatically switch on when the engine is started and it is not possible to turn them off. As of 7 February 2011, an EU Directive 2008/89/EC means that all new passenger cars and small delivery vans must be equipped with DRL's. Trucks and buses followed suit in August 2012.