VW centre cap corrosion

[andygo]

Has anyone had any success getting the flaky (literally) VW centre caps replaced under warranty?

I rang up a vw dealer to be told the corrosion warranty only applies to paintwork and not centre caps? Not sure if thats correct, but I guess I need to arm myself with a few facts first.


I have an 07 ED30 with 40k on the clock, the rest of the car is pristine. (Lucky me!)

[RedRobin]

.
Nope.

I know of no-one who has been successful and many have tried.

How plastic corrodes like that is beyond me. But why VW etc buy wheels from BBS which easily get white worm is even further beyond my comprehension 

[andygo]

This is taken from VW's warranty conditions:

Depends if you view the wheel caps as part of the bodywork.

Body protection warranty

All current Volkswagen vehicles are fully protected during manufacture against through corrosion for 12 years from the date of first registration (6 years for the Sharan models).

The only preconditions are:

    The defect must be reported to a member of the Volkswagen Authorised Network as soon as it is discovered and within the warranty period.
    The perforation must not have been caused originally by damage, neglect, insufficient care or maintenance or by external rusting.
    A member of the Volkswagen Authorised Network must be advised about any rusting as soon as it is found.
    All body repairs will be carried out promptly in accordance with the manufacturer's specification and procedures, using only approved parts and materials, so the original level of anti-corrosion protection is maintained.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Yes, the factory supplied wheels (of which the centre cap will be included) are not part of the bodywork/paint warranty.

Under that quoted warranty statement, surely the wheel arch rust issues should be 100% paid for by VW and not 70% as in some cases.

[andygo]

I can see no reason why it shouldn't be 100% paid for by VW.

If you buy a pair of shoes that fall apart, you don't have to contribute to their repair..

On the centre cap issue, I think they are liable. Would they say wheels aren't covered as well? I can guess the answer, but what about rusting wiper arms for instance?

[RedRobin]

I can see no reason why it shouldn't be 100% paid for by VW.

If you buy a pair of shoes that fall apart, you don't have to contribute to their repair..

On the centre cap issue, I think they are liable. Would they say wheels aren't covered as well? I can guess the answer, but what about rusting wiper arms for instance?

....I agree but there are plenty of reported cases on this forum of VW dealers saying they will only pay 70% for the wheel arch rust issue in spite of there being a VW PDF document about the issue.

In my experience, there's a big factor of how good your relationship is with your dealer. A good dealer wants to help you as a customer all they can. But if you are an arsehole and treat them with no respect, then......   What goes around comes around.

[AlanEdition30]

My local dealer gave me four new vw centre caps for free  I just mentioned they had corroded when booking the car in for a service.

[RedRobin]

My local dealer gave me four new vw centre caps for free  I just mentioned they had corroded when booking the car in for a service.

....Mine did too but a friend who works with carbonfibre made me some some carbon ones.

[JJ]

I had all four of my corroding centre caps replaced under warranty by Listers of Stratford upon Avon.  I went to my local dealer hoping to get a few bits done under warranty but they refused and wouldn't even come outside and look at my car.  I turned on my heels and went 15 miles up the road to Listers instead who sat me down, made me a cup of tea, put the car straight into the workshop for a quick inspection and then agreed to all of my requests no questions asked.   My advice would be to try a different dealer if you get no joy with the other.   My local dealer got zero trade from me after that despite me being a customer of theirs for the previous 6 years. 

[gigolo456]

all my centre caps have that white crap, as well as my boot-lift thingamejiggy, my car is 7 years old, i just always assumed VW wouldn't replace under warranty, more fool me probably!! Anyone know how much they all are to replace  if i'm feeling flush??

[RedRobin]

^^^^
IIRC, centre caps cost about £5 each.

[Frenzy]

£7.50 now 

[gigolo456]

cheers, and i'm assuming easy to fit?? How about the boot-lid?

[RedRobin]

cheers, and i'm assuming easy to fit?? How about the boot-lid?

....The centre caps simply snap in and out (and can easily be nicked). The boot lid badge is easy I'm told but involves screws.

[MC71]

all my centre caps have that white crap, as well as my boot-lift thingamejiggy, my car is 7 years old, i just always assumed VW wouldn't replace under warranty, more fool me probably!! Anyone know how much they all are to replace  if i'm feeling flush??

Paid £28 about a month ago for set of 4 centre caps from VW main dealer, didnt even think about asking about warranty!!