We are having a parallel discussion on Passatworld.com, regarding continuing parts and service availability for the beloved B5 generation (1996-2001) Audi A4s and A6s and VW Passats. People who (mistakenly and naively) rely on dealerships for parts or service are getting cut off at the 20-year mark. When a friend experienced this phenomenon with her Vanagon, I told her to see my local VW/Audi independent shop. I am not yet too worried, because I have superb VCDS scanning software from Ross-Tech and the other tools and knowledge needed to do my own diagnostics and light repairs, and my indie shop that does the heavy lifting (literally) lets me bring in my own parts, but a few parts, particularly plastics like coolant expansion tanks and windscreen washer fluid tanks, are getting scarce. My next car will likely be electric, and I am very concerned about issues such as right to repair.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069