Is it worth trying to get wings replaced on the rust warranty?

[owheel]

Hi guys,

Just found a couple of little bubbles on one front wing. I've read about the 12 year rust warranty, and car was registered on 11th July 2008, but I have also read that the scheme ended in 2018? I've read some people who get stuff sorted no issue, and some who never get anywhere?

I can take it down to the dealers, but its a hassle because they aren't that near work or home etc, and the bodywork guy at the dealer was saying that they don't cover the front wings past 10 years when I phoned them.

So before I take it down is it likely that they will cover it, or is it not worth the hassle and just get an independent body shop to deal with it?

Cheers in advance!

[brammer]

I was in a similar position last year with a very slightly rusty wing on my 07 GTI. The 12 year anti-corrosion warranty anniversary was almost up and as the car was booked in for a service at my local VW Main Dealer I asked for the Body Shop Manager to inspect the wing with a view to making a claim etc. A week or so later the Dealer got in touch to say my claim had been rejected. Not being happy with this decision I then contacted VW Customer services and began a fairly long and protracted but amicable series of emails regarding the warranty claim rejection. To cut a long story short, after several weeks and many emails, I was offered a goodwill contribution of 50% towards the cost of a new wing, painted and fitted. This I accepted and had the wing replaced. In the end the Body Shop did a great job with the new wing so overall despite costing me more than the price of an aftermarket part I was happy.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on if you do decide to try and make a claim.                 

[Stupots]

I'd ask nicely and say that you've heard there was an acknowledged issue with the foam retaining moisture and rotting the wings, when they are replaced under warranty it is cut back so it doesn't touch. See how you go with that. Maybe see what they come back with and if nothing you could say you found this TPI https://www.dropbox.com/s/8aq50r8whgmu35m/2009Nov9CorrosionToGolkMk5FrontWing.pdf?dl=0 online, which supports what you heard. There is a very long rust thread on here, they will offer you nothing... a good will gesture to help with % of costs or do it completely free. It really does depend on what garage you speak to, who you speak to, if you're nice about it and what way the wind is blowing.

Good luck

Stu

[brammer]

Just to echo what @Stupots said as this is what was stated on the Invoice I received following payment:

"Investigate corrosion NSF wing. Confirmed fault wing corroded as per tpi 2007396/29 requires new wing replaced and painted new modified as per tpi"       

[TheBALDpuma]

When I took mine in it was within 10 years and it still got rejected despite me really fighting it.

Mine is with my bodyshop today. I've bought two genuine, rust free wings from breakers in the right colour that are being fitted. They are off a similar age car so the paint match should be pretty good - I couldn't see a difference when I offered it up.

[titchy]

Most anti corrosion warranties state corrosion from the inside out I had an issue with 2 rust spots on the car roof the dealer [not vw] inspected the spots and said stone chips so the warranty didnt cover them the car was 3 months old

[TheBALDpuma]

Most anti corrosion warranties state corrosion from the inside out I had an issue with 2 rust spots on the car roof the dealer [not vw] inspected the spots and said stone chips so the warranty didnt cover them the car was 3 months old

This is rust from the inside out though.  The line I got was that the rust is caused by the foam pad behind the wheel arch that holds the water against the metal body panel.  Because it is not the body panel that is faulty, but the foam pad, then the 12 year (10 year for some reason) rust warranty won't cover it.

[ljc19630]

Just get a painted set from Lothian.

https://lothianautoparts.uk/

£180 all in and piss easy to fit. I did my o/s, not because of rust but it had a crease in it. Make sure you remove the poxy foam that VW applied and coat it up with under seal prior to install





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[Stupots]

Just get a painted set from Lothian.

That is definitely are reasonable fallback if they have no luck with VW, they are a good fit and match. Asking costs nothing :)

[pudding]

It's not the wings you need to worry about, they're easy and cheapish to swap out.  It's the sills, rear arches and tailgate that need closer inspection.  None of those are covered under warranty as they occur on an edge or a fold.  Yes you read that right, where the metal is folded, VW do not warranty it