front wing corrosion

**cheapaschips** · 19-08-2010,07:55 PM

ayup all,
I got a thorn in the sidewall of my front tyre the other day - bad news in itself, but as i was changing it, my thumb rubbed over a tiny bubble of the wheel arch. upon closer inspection, yes it's the beggining of rust, It's an 05 plate estate with only 50k on the clock.
so, i did a bit of googling and came across all of the stories about VW wriggling out of it, it's a common fault possibly caused by the sponge they glued to the inside of the wing.
so - i took it into the ******* and his grin was ear to ear.
he said it was common and mentioned the sponge but was surprised and how new the car was and the low mileage.
he said he would put the claim in, but it would probably be turned down, and i would'nt get a good will claim either b'cause i had been it serviced elsewhere.
Anyone got any good news to tell me they got agood result or any tips on how to handle VAG customer services if i need to...???

Cheers

**audicab26** · 24-08-2010,05:40 PM

Hi, just found your thread. I have a 52 Plate Passat with the same issue - how did you get on with VW customer services?

Thanks

**cheapaschips** · 24-08-2010,06:43 PM

not heard back from them yet.

will post when i do.

**audicab26** · 23-02-2011,01:32 AM

Hi,

I've just had my claim for the same issue 'rejected'. Did you ever get anywhere with your claim?

Many thanks

**PeteK** · 23-02-2011,10:10 AM

I think it is scandalous that VW refuse to pay for this type of repair - if it is caused by the wing corroding from the inside out it should be covered by the anti-perforation warranty. There is nothing that would be done on the bodywork inspection by a dealer that would prevent this from occurring. Are they suggesting the dealer would remove the wing liner and treat this area? I worked at a Saab / Hyundai main dealer for 14 years as the warranty manager and both of these franchises would have paid out for this type of repair had it ever occurred, as for the annual body inspection which is 'allegedly' done by main dealers it is nothing more than a visual inspection if you are lucky. Most technicians will just stamp the service book that it has been done anyway!

**cheapaschips** · 23-02-2011,07:08 PM

gents,
the first claim 'got lost' so when i followed up, they took all my details again,
VW rejected it, but then i took it to head office and their claims resolution offered me 30% discount on the repair if i paid for it.
so i rang back the body shop to discuss and he said 'is it under warranty ? ' yes i said, why i said. oh becasue we have a different hourly rate for warranty claims. it's nearly double. so that 30% off is on a 100% marked up price. robbin' bleeders. i then asked for two quotes, one as a warranty job, one as a joe bloggs off the street. the warranty price was just over 500 notes, i never got the off the street price.
i also clarified with the paint shop, that if i did pay to get the warranty work done, would they pay out if it went again ?
no sir...

So i put it to the paint shop man - so you want me to pay over the odds for something that should be covered under warranty, b ut you wriggle out of and i wouldnt be able to claim again if it went again ? yes sir he said... i do see you point...

as i work in the aerospace industry as an engineer, i explained this to the girl and that i would fully understand any technially challenging documents and asked the head office girl for the reports that were carried out to prove it wasnt warranty rust. she declined to provide the report

Bunch of cowboys. so i'm going to get it looked at when i get my bumper scuff looked at in a local body shop. i cant invalidate the warranty as there really isnt one.

*******

**A4 Lad** · 14-04-2012,04:34 PM

Does that mean the wings have been painted after the car has left the factory ?¿ Or what ?

**chipped3** · 14-04-2012,04:49 PM

What bad luck but at least you seem to have got on the ladder! It is always possible that the car received damage in transit to dealer and was repaired before being sold? I suppose any repairs should be logged on the vehicle log book otherwise there is no proof. Bad luck.

**caldirun** · 14-04-2012,06:13 PM

Originally Posted by chipped3

What bad luck but at least you seem to have got on the ladder! It is always possible that the car received damage in transit to dealer and was repaired before being sold? I suppose any repairs should be logged on the vehicle log book otherwise there is no proof. Bad luck.

Its not as bad as it seems, I have 2 brothers in law with paintshops so if I can get a wing at a reasonable price and fit it, the 100 microns on top should be no problem.

**caldirun** · 14-04-2012,06:09 PM

Does that mean the wings have been painted after the car has left the factory ?¿ Or what ?

It does to the VAG bodyshop and unless I can prove the robot REALLY liked that wing when it painted it I am sunk!