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Being screwed over by Volkswagen Audi Group

 
Renewable-powered transport (EVs & e-bikes)
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Majordennisbloodnok
 Majordennisbloodnok
(@majordennisbloodnok)
Famed Member Moderator
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1984
Topic starter 02/06/2026 7:57 am   [#3036]

If any of you have or are thinking of buying a VW (especially an EV) and either do or want to manage it via some form of home automation system (Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Domoticz, your own scripts etc.) you are likely to be disappointed.

As of a week or so ago, it seems the VW/Audi group decided to block access to the API their app uses unless it's accessed by an application whose developers have paid for the privilege. That means the VW Connect integration for Home Assistant and any other similar bits of software can no longer authenticate. Very cynical, mercenary and high-handed of VW/Audi, it also appears to be making significant noise on mainland Europe with a lot of people in questioning whether it may contravene the European Data Act.

Not a lot anyone here can do in the short term, but if intelligent integration of an electric vehicle into your wider smart home is any kind of priority for you and you're looking to purchase an EV to do so, I would suggest you avoid a Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Cupra or Skoda.


105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs

"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"


   
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Morgan
 Morgan
(@morgan)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 703
02/06/2026 8:31 am  

I will not EVER buy a car from VAG.  Some years ago I had a Passat (diesel) that went in for its annual service the day prior to the end of it's 3 year new car warranty expired. The following morning, I started the car and didn't get more than 10 yards when it simply cut out. AA recovery to the dealer. Turns out that they had messed up the timing belt, which slipped, causing some considerable engine damage.  I was assured by the dealer that it would be fixed under warranty and that I was lucky as it was the last day of said warranty.  Later that day, I was contacted by VW UK to inform me that, as the car hadn't arrived at the dealer until after midday, the warranty had expired and any repairs would be at my expense.  It's fair to say that the dealer was mortified and did the best they could, arguing my corner.  Long and heated arguments followed over a couple of weeks, with VW UK coming up with different 'reasons' as to why my warranty claim was invalid.  Their last 'reason' was that the car had been purchased in a leap year, so the warranty had expired a day earlier. They were eventually forced to cave and accept full responsibility.  Hence, I immediately sold the car and will never, ever go near a VAG car again. Shameful behaviour.  Also, remember the emissions scandal involving them. Charlatans.


Retrofitted 11.2kw Mitsubishi Ecodan to new radiators commissioned November 2021.
14 x 500w Monocrystalline solar panels.

2 ESS Smile G3 10.1 batteries.
ESS Smile G3 5kw inverter.


   
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Majordennisbloodnok
 Majordennisbloodnok
(@majordennisbloodnok)
Famed Member Moderator
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1984
Topic starter 02/06/2026 11:05 am  

@morgan, much as I like the cars they produce, I can't disagree with you. I have some modifier to my conscience that I've never bought a car from them so much as bought secondhand cars with their badge on it, but I do find their morals and ethics distasteful to say the least.


105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs

"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"


   
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