Dreaded Wing / Sill Rust

[Juliand]

Great Forum.
Picking my car up midweek (33k '05), but getting very worried about this issue. I didn't see anything when inspecting, and car presents very well, but now reading about this here, I'm getting paranoid that mine will either have this problem, or get it very soon, and that I should have looked much more closely, doh! Seems as though it happens on every car, as there are so many posts about it - is it really that common??

I don't want to call the dealer, in case he tries to cover it up, if indeed there is anything there, and thereby voids any potential warranty claim! Going to be a couple of sleepless nights until I get to see it in the flesh again.  Grrrr! Wish I'd spotted this issue and checked more thoroughly. Dealer only buys mint, low miles cars, so I think he would be aware, but I'm feeling very nervous / anxious now.

Any assurances that it's not every car......please?

Thanks

[Prewy]

I'm sure its not every car, you have to remember there are a lot of mk5's out there. I did however have the issue on mine which is 07 but thankfully just the wings which were sorted under warranty, I now have the bubbling around tailgate handle but again booked in under warranty. I feel lucky with the tailgate probably due to buying it approved used.
If you re inspect the car and you are happy there is a mod you can carry out to prevent it happening, I believe it involves removing the inner arch liner and trimming the outer edge back slightly so it no longer rubs on the wing, not forgetting to remove the foam strip which just retains moisture,  I believe this was mainly as sound proofing for the diesels.
Fingers crossed for your next inspection.

[Rampage]

Mines a '56 reg and completely rust free touch wood!

[Spankiee]

mines 08 and it was just the passenger side.

is it less than 12 years old?? if so its free don't worry about it

[Ditto]

@Juliand you'll be fine with the wings so long as the car's under 12 years old (well known bulletin for this).

If it's on the sills too, it seems hit and miss as to which dealers are willing to help. I'm sure a good service record will help though, although there's no official bulletin. Most of the Golfs I've seen with wing rust you can usually see it peaking out the button of the sills too.

[amanda]

I am sat in my dealers at the moment waiting for a check on mine.........depends on paint depth I have been led to believe!

[amanda]

Well it looks like my claim has now been forwarded to Vw warranty and I should hear by the end of the day or latest tomorrow .......fingers crossed 

[Spankiee]

i had to pay £250 towards my sills. (price varies)  and they are starting to bubble again so back it goes.

[Ditto]

Here's what mine looked like on both sides before the repair.

[pudding]

I noticed on mine (and several others) there's hardly any paint in that gap where it rots.  Surely VW should be liable for that as it's sloppy build quality.

[zainster]

I had both sills done under warranty last year.  VW covered 100% of the cost.