FLEETS have been hit by a 'serious quality problem' on Volkswagen Group vehicles that have left some companies with cars off the road for weeks.

Volkswagen Group blames a supplier component that could result in malfunctions in the vehicles' individual pencil ignition coils. Difficulties with faulty ignition coils have been exacerbated by problems obtaining enough spares from foreign suppliers to meet UK demand.

This problem affects vehicles from the Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen brands fitted with 1.8-litre turbocharged, V5, V6 and W8 spark-ignition engines. Vehicles manufactured in the period from model year 2001 to model year 2002, and a small number of vehicles from the start of the 2003 model year are affected.

Dealers are telling fleets that up to 1,000 coils a week are being shipped in from Germany, but the wait for fitment can be three to four weeks.

Fleets are demanding to know why the Volkswagen Group did not issue a recall notice.

Martin Watts, general manager of Warrington-based United Pipeline, has had 11 vehicle breakdowns with five Audis. He said: 'I have asked why a recall notice has not been put out for what is obviously a common problem and also requested that all the original coil packs on our cars be replaced for perfect new ones, but there has been no response.'

David Reid, of Avon Doors, said: 'We have an 18-month-old Passat that has been off the road for three weeks. We want to know why there wasn't a recall. Why wait for the vehicle to break down?'

In a statement, the German manufacturer said: 'Volkswagen has confirmed that a serious quality problem with a supplier component could result in malfunctions in individual pencil ignition coils. The failure of an ignition coil could affect the engine's operation and is noticeable by rough running or reduced power output.

'The engine warning lamp lights up to inform the driver that there is a problem. If this happens, the driver should consult a workshop.'

But the Volkswagen Group said it expects the situation to improve over the coming weeks.

It added: 'All customers who may be affected will be notified by Volkswagen as soon as replacement parts are available in sufficient numbers.'

The manufacturer added that current production is unaffected by the quality issue.