I recently left my Mk II VRS with Purple Parking while on holiday abroad.

 

When I received the car back it was a) completely filthy despite me requesting a valet clean in my absence and b) the trip counter and clock were reset, and the airbag warning light was on.

 

What could have happened to the car while it was in Purple Parking's care? Did someone remove the battery?

 

Any suggestions, ideas or conspiracy theories much appreciated.

Check if the windows go all the way down/up when you push the button all the way. If they don't then I guess it's safe to say they disconnected the battery.

Edited 3 January, 20179 yr by Inex

that sounds like either the batt was disconnected or went flat and they jumped it. I have left my car with them before and have not had this problem so do not think they disconnect it by default.

Why was it filthy? What have they been doing?

I'm always sceptical when leaving my car keys anywhere (airport parking/car garages etc) and make a mental note of the mileage to see if it was used.

You see those watchdog stories where cars have been used for hundreds of miles without the owners knowledge!

I always use air port parking where you park the car yourself and take the keys with me. Ask for your money back for them cleaning it.

Airbag light probably on from the drivers seat being moved backwards and forwards to accommodate different drivers. Trip mileage reset to cover the fact they have been using your car as a taxi for the last week.

I no longer trust these parking companys after hearing so many bad stories about them. I now use web sites like, park on my drive. You park off road on private property and take your keys with you. The ones I have used, the owners of each property took us to the airport and picked us up again. Never a problem and I have used them so far at Heathrow and Gatwick.

Lots of horror stories on Tripadvisor usually related to damage/theft. It seems they usually take your car offsite to several remote locations, and dashcams, gps etc have sometimes seen them driven for a couple of hours at a time somewhere. No one seems to get problems from theft or body damage resolved because of the small print in your contract.

The airbag light would worry me, a flat battery wouldnt cause that and it might be expensive to fix. Needs vcds to reset, but why is it on?

Its possible someone has deliberately disconnected the battery somewhere, then swapped an airbag component with their mates faulty one, before reconnecting the battery.

But then I love conspiracy theories.

Ragged it prolly. You sure its the airbag light and not the EML?

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/gatwick-airport-rogue-parking-company-11533514

 

Purple Parking are mentioned