VW Arteon Glow Plug Issue Causing Cold Start Problems

Had almost the exact same issue with my 2020 VW Passat diesel car a few months back. The symptoms matched perfectly, engine light on, extended cold starts, and that annoying permanent preheat light. As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I first considered trying to diagnose it myself, but with these modern diesel engines, it really needs proper diagnostic equipment. Took it to a workshop where they confirmed a faulty glow plug was causing the engine misfire and rough idle. The total repair came to 440€, including diagnostics, parts, and labor. They replaced the defective glow plug and cleared the error codes. Cold starts went back to normal immediately, and both warning lights disappeared. What diesel engine variant does your Arteon have? Knowing the exact engine code would help determine if the glow plug setup is similar to what I dealt with. Also, are you noticing any smoke from the exhaust during cold starts? This could help confirm if we are dealing with the same issue. Would recommend getting it checked soon since driving with a bad glow plug can cause additional stress on your diesel engine and other components.

Car works fine now after the repair. For those who might have similar issues, repair cost was 380€ including a new glow plug and programming. Cold start performance is back to normal and the engine light cleared immediately. No more rough idle either. Fuel efficiency has improved noticeably since the fix. Latest service was done at 45000km.

Thanks for the update, glad to hear your Arteon is running smoothly again. The repair cost was actually a bit less than what I paid for my Passat (380€ vs 440€), though that makes sense since prices can vary between workshops. Like you, I noticed better fuel efficiency after the glow plug replacement. The improved engine combustion really makes a difference, especially during cold starts. My diesel car has been trouble-free for about 15000km since the repair. For anyone else reading with similar symptoms: if your check engine light comes on and you notice extended preheating times, get it checked promptly. A faulty glow plug might seem like a minor issue, but it can lead to poor combustion and potentially more expensive repairs if left unaddressed. My car is also due for its next service soon, planning to have them inspect the glow plugs as a preventive measure since they are a common wear item on these diesel engines.

Thanks for following up on this thread. I wanted to circle back and confirm the repair fully resolved my Arteon issues. Final cost was 380€ for the glow plug replacement and programming, which seems reasonable given the symptoms. Cold start behavior is completely back to normal and the engine light has stayed off. The rough idle is gone and fuel efficiency has improved considerably since the fix. For reference, this was done at the 45000km service interval. Really glad I got it sorted quickly before it could cause any additional engine problems.