*** VW - RUST & WARRANTY *** RESULT!!!!

[Boothy]

Having found rust on my 06 front wheel arches this weekend I'm off to my local VW dealers tomorrow to start the process, looking at this thread it could be a long one......

For some people its not a problem, usually those with a full VW service history. For others, like me it goes on and on. Saying that though things are finally starting to move in the right direction.

[dmac1969]

As you will see by my 'Just washed....' thread . I have found the dreaded rust bubbles on my 05 GTI's front arches at the weekend whilst doing a detail (another good reason for keeping on top of your car regularly , you can spot these things quickly). Im about 4 weeks away from a service and MOT so will point out the problem to my dealer when I take the car in. What I will say is that I will NOT tolerate rust on any car of mine (especially one that cost me over £10,000!) , if they will not do it FOC , then I will pay a trusted bodyshop to do it - or I may go the whole hog and fit 2 genuine VW wings on the front of the car. I dont want to have to be spraying the arches every couple of years!

[higher1]

Hi a little update the manager from my local vw bodyshop visited my garage (i own a motor caravan garage) and inspected the car and to my suprise he claims hes NEVER had a mk 5 rust in the same place !! he inspected the paint and confirmed its all original and said he would put in a claim...........4 and a half weeks later !! he needs to inspect the car again so its booked for thursday this week lets see what cock n bull story he uses to escape the warrenty claim !

[cmdrfire]

Definitely got rust on my passenger side rear arch. Front arches look ok to me for now, but that rear one is getting a bit bad.

[Gtiain]

How long have people been waiting to hear a reply? As I've been waiting over 3 months now.

[Boothy]

Took about 2 months for me and I had to ring them to find out. I'd be tempted to chase it up after 3 months if I were you.

[dovejon]

One week for me including the Easter Weekend.  VW have agreed to pay 70%.

[nads1_uk]

Just took mine to VW Newcastle on Scotswood Rd.  The Warranty Manager was spot on.  I pointed out the 'rust' on both front wheel arches.  I said it was the first Gti he'd had back the ones he'd seen were all diesels.  Apparantely VW don't actually see it as 'rust' it's down to the inner wheel arch liner as previous people have said on here rubbing the paint away and it would only be covered from a warranty point of view within 3 years of date of registration.  However VW do sometimes repair things like this via a goodwill gesture so would put my claim in.  This I think is where people with FVWSH get an advantage - which lucky for me I'm one of.  I had a good chat to him and I put my point of view across that I should get a goodwill gesture of 100% to pay for the damage as my arches had just started to bubble, my car had FVWSH and only covered 46K hence if the rubbing is the cause it's happened over a relatively short distance.  He also said I should hear something by the end of next week.  I keep everyone posted.

@DOVEJON did your motor have FVWSH?  How much did you have to contribute if you don't mind me asking?

Andy

[sandancer]

Sorry to raise this old thread again, just had my 04 reg 140 tdi into Pullman VW Sunderland last week due to rusting on both front arch lips, the forward end of both sills and the tailgate badge handle recess.
Just got the go ahead for warranty work on the sills but not the wings or tailgate, these are due to 'mechanical failure' of the wheel arch liner and boot handle.
Fired off an email to Chris Craft at VW this afternoon saying I'm unimpressed to say the least, I'll keep you posted where I get with this one...........

[dmac1969]

Sorry to raise this old thread again, just had my 04 reg 140 tdi into Pullman VW Sunderland last week due to rusting on both front arch lips, the forward end of both sills and the tailgate badge handle recess.
Just got the go ahead for warranty work on the sills but not the wings or tailgate, these are due to 'mechanical failure' of the wheel arch liner and boot handle.
Fired off an email to Chris Craft at VW this afternoon saying I'm unimpressed to say the least, I'll keep you posted where I get with this one...........

How can they not cover a 'mechanical failure' on a car , when it is their fault it failed in the first place? I'd keep at them , If they dont do mine they can have the car back and I'm gonna stop the finance payments , that will sort them.

[Rampage]

With such a widespread 'design fault' on expensive newish premium cars, would it be an idea to get a collective of affected owners and contact Watchdog???

[dmac1969]

I see its not just happening in the UK , just had a browse of VW Vortex and theres some shocking rust on the rear wheelarch and rear door of a red jetta in this link.... http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5292184-Anyone-else-having-rust-issues&p=71501876&posted=1#post71501876

[Five Alive]

I had the rust round my tailgate handle, my car is a 54 and hasnt got full vwsh, and they have just done the work under warranty without any issues, asked if the badge had been fowling the bodywork and that was it, thought they may try get out of it but to there credit all done

[sandancer]

Well after sending the email, Pullman VW rang today and asked if I can take the car back in for some 'close up photos', as I may well get it done under warranty as they have just been authorised to do work on another Mk5. Not sure on the badge though, which dealer did yours get repaired at Five Alive ?

[Boothy]

As you aware I posted earlier in this this thread after receiving a reply from Mr.Craft re: my issues with rust and also customer service at the Wakefield Dealership including scratching my car. 
 I have been in negotiations with a nice man from the VW Executive office for the last few weeks and was initially made an offer of a free valet (£70) to try and rectify the scratched body work after they washed it. I explained that this was no different from what the dealer had offered me directly and told them I would not settle for anything less than a professional touching the paint work.
 I was then offered a good will contribution of 70% towards the wings being repaired which could have still left me some £300 out of pocket and for reasons already outlined in this thread I turned the offer down and asked them to come back with something better.
 They said it was difficult to as they could not accurately quote the cost of the repair until it was sanded down to show the full extent of the damage so I offered to take the vehicle back to the body shop at Huddersfield for them to further examine the rust. The manger there explained to me that he had already told VW that they could offer no further information but said he would speak to them about the boot rusting.
 
Well today I received a call from the body shop manager at Huddersfield and the dealers at Wakefield. They have come up with an offer that I can't refuse:

- £100.00 towards the £200 pound quote to have the paintwork professionally buffed  .
- Cover 100% of the costs for the rust on the boot lid to be rectified  .

and.......

- Cover 100% of the costs for the front arches to be replaced  .

I have yet to receive a further response from the Executive office but I have no reason not to trust the manager at the body shop as he has been most helpful. I'm sure you'll agree though that this is an excellent result and one I am more than happy with!
 I have to say that dealing with this has made me realize two things really. One being that the Wakefield dealership is not worth visiting and two, that they are not a true representation of VW and the rest of the staff and dealerships. Both the chap from VW Executive Office and all the staff at the Huddersfield dealership have been nothing but polite, helpful and understanding.

I will of course be sending another email to Mr. Craft but this time it will be to say good things for a change.