VW Up Infotainment System Complete Failure Fix Tips

Had the exact same issue with my 2016 VW Polo last winter. I have some experience working on car electronics, but this was beyond basic troubleshooting. The symptoms matched yours perfectly, complete infotainment failure affecting both the audio system and navigation. The fiber optics in the MOST bus network were indeed the culprit, specifically a faulty control unit that disrupted the entire communication chain. I initially tried basic diagnostics but quickly realized this needed professional attention. The workshop confirmed the issue through their diagnostic tools, the automotive protocol was showing multiple communication errors in the MOST ring. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Testing the fiber optic connections, Replacing the defective control unit, Reprogramming the new unit, Testing all infotainment functions Total cost was 1000€, including parts and labor. Everything has worked flawlessly since the repair. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Any error codes from your diagnostic scan, Whether the issue appeared suddenly or gradually, If you notice any other electrical issues, If any recent work was done on the car electronics

Just wanted to follow up, had my service last month at 124764km and the technician ran a full diagnostic scan. The MOST bus network test showed critical communication errors between multiple control units. The fiber optics ring had apparently developed issues over time, causing the progressive failure of the infotainment system. Got the repair quote estimating around 850€ for a complete control unit replacement and fiber optics check. Still weighing my options since it is not covered under warranty anymore. Considering searching for a workshop specializing in car electronics and MOST bus diagnostics for a second opinion.

Thanks for the update on your VW Up situation. When my Polo had similar MOST bus issues, I also got multiple quotes before proceeding with repairs. The 850€ estimate for your control unit replacement actually sounds reasonable, it is less than what I paid (1000€). From my experience after getting the repair done, I noticed the issue was definitely worth fixing. A failing MOST bus network can progressively affect other car electronics and control units beyond just the infotainment system. The fiber optics degradation tends to spread through the communication chain if left unaddressed. The diagnostic findings align exactly with what my car showed, multiple control unit communication errors in the bus system. Getting it fixed by specialists who understand automotive network protocols made a huge difference in my case. All systems have worked perfectly for over a year now. One tip from my repair experience: make sure they do a complete bus system test after installing the new control unit. This validates that all nodes in the network are communicating properly again. Let us know what you decide and how the repair goes if you proceed with it.

Thanks for the input. After considering the diagnostic results and your repair experiences, I decided to move forward with fixing the MOST bus network issue. The quote of 850€ seems fair compared to other similar repairs. Found a workshop that specializes in car diagnostics and fiber optics systems. They confirmed the initial assessment showing communication errors in the bus system. Booked the repair for next week, they will replace the faulty control unit and perform a complete network test afterward. Will post an update once the work is completed to let others know how it turned out. Hoping this resolves both the audio system and navigation problems completely. Really helpful to hear about successful repairs of similar issues before committing to the work.