Myself and a few garages locally have been given a flyer about a VAG helpline. I have used the Ford and Vauxhall helplines before with mixed results, and have paid £1 per minute or something similar. VAG offer an 0844 number so I was quite impressed and thought they had made a move towards helping the independant.

Was working on an A4 today with an intermittent gearbox problem in the corner of another garages' yard with a flat laptop and just wanted to get some info about a switch, cant remember which one. All the operator could do was to refer me to the ERWIN website, which is of course chargeable. Not helpful when you are nowhere near mains power, never mind a broadband connection.

When asked what information he could divulge, the answer was "very basic stuff" but he was unable to expand. The reason was given as "if you misinterpret the information I give you the vehicle could be left in a dangerous condition or you could injure yourself or others, and you would be able to sue me." He would not even give me the location of the switch, in case I "misinterpret it."

Anybody else had the same experience or did i just get somebody on a bad day?