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patientx
10-11-2015, 01:59 PM
Hi All

I am new to this forum, I own an Audi A4 b7 2.0ltr tdi s line 2005 model.

The car bodywork is in excellent condition, except for the two front wings which have bubbled paint on the wheel arches.

Through reading the forums on making a claim under the 12 year anti corrosion warranty, I contacted Audi last week to state that I wished to make a claim under said warranty.

My car was booked in today at local Audi to be inspected inside this white wall inspection room.

The gentleman proceeded to wipe wings with cloth as it was raining today, he then examined the wings and took photographs.

he then spoke to me and said my wings had edge corrosion? (********) as my car was under the three year corrosion warranty I had no case to answer, but as a goodwill gesture, he would send in a claim?

I replied I was not claiming under the goodwill gesture, but under the 12 years anti corossion warranty?

He also mentioned that my passenger front wing had previously been painted due to dust particles trapped under the clearcoat (********) I asked to see the findings of paint depth test on both wings, but he did not show me the results, i asked for the results to be sent by letter to my home address.

He said that they are prepared to replace my driver side wing only as it has not been previously painted or resprayed under their goodwill gesture and i would need to pay a percentage.

I was prepared for him and showed my copy of letter,see below; from this site mentioning that my car did not have to be serviced by VW/Audi, that the age of car and mileage had no bearing in said warranty, I also mentioned of the so called foam against inside wing which had caused the corrosion.

I also mentioned about the world wide bulletin released in 2009 to all body shops that Audi were liable for said manufacturing defect on cars from new and that they would honour said wing replacements free of charge as per 12 years warranty corrosion.

He went away and came back with the Manager from the body shop who spewed the same nonsense to me and said that the bubbled paint was not perforated corrosion, but wear and tear due to the arch liner (********) and it was mechanical? I responded by saying that a wheel arch is not mechanical, it is simply a protective cover? I informed him that I knew I was going to get the same old script from Audi to put me off claiming and that i was having none of it.

I stated to him that the perforated warranty basically means rust from the inside which has perforated to the outside causing said paint bubbling on wheel arch caused by sound proofing foam against inside the wings. He then admitted i was correct and said it fell under the three year warranty and not 12 year corrosion warranty, i said in a polite manner why am I getting all this ******** all these years later when you simply should be honouring my claim for new wings.

I showed him my letter which has been prepared for making a claim and he asked to take a photocopy to send along with my claim to their appropriate department.

He said he would be in touch soon, I was told that I would not get a wing for free as the body shop manager would have to contribute in which he refused point blank and continued to state it was edge corrosion.

I stated that if they did not honour my claim for a free replacement wing or wings, I would take it to the small claims court.

Will update when I get a response from Audi, not happy with the investigator at body shop telling me that the passenger wing had been resprayed previously due to signs of dust particles? and so therefore would not be replaced, will request a proper data assessment report on their findings and proof from Audi that said passenger wing was previously painted if they decline my claim?

See my letter below i got from this forum Audi photo copied:

I am claiming on the anti perforation warranty because of through corrosion caused by arch liner from new.


The claim is valid under the terms & conditions of the anti perforation warranty.


The car doesn't have to have a full service history to have the wings replaced under the 12 year Warranty.


The 12 Year Body Warranty is for 12 years and is passed on to subsequent owners during that time.


The rust is caused by the moulded acoustic foam pad rubbing against the inner galvanized lip at the top of the wheel arch......wearing through the galvanized layer.... which exposes the metal to rust.

It is covered under the 12 year Warranty and I am entitled to 100% of the cost.


My claim is under the 12 year Bodywork warranty and is against the body rusting from the inside out NOT vice/ versa.

It has nothing to do with the mechanical warranty. NOR is it caused in a mechanical way.


There is no requirement for my car to be serviced by a VW dealer to qualify for the 12 year corrosion guarantee.


I am NOT claiming under any GOODWILL OFFER!


My claim is under a 12 year Corrosion Warranty provided with my car,and is within the time limits specified.


The problem was entirely caused in manufacture by VW, is well documented and that VW have even issued Worldwide bulletins to all dealers on how to repair/replace affected wings and the Claims procedures to apply.


Many other cars have received 100% offers


STOP USING THE THREE YEAR PAINT WARRANTY, EDGE RUST OR "ITS MECHANICAL" TO GET OUT OF THE WARRANTY


I will take this further, media threat, claims court. bbc watchdog etc.

patientx
10-11-2015, 09:45 PM
Looking for some other successful methods for Audi to honour their warranty.

Even in 2015 audi are still fobbing customers off with their excuses.

At least the first stage is going through with a goodwill gesture in which i will challenge.

Cheers

Stevie

Eshrules
11-11-2015, 08:42 AM
Although I appreciate your frustration, please don't duplicate the content of this thread on other posts - they just get deleted.

maxgain
11-11-2015, 09:00 AM
Hi Just PM'd you.

However, it looks like the VAG group are tightening their belts in the light of the emissions scandal. You would never believe the influx of disgruntled customer that have contacted me within the last week alone.

kind regards

Stu

Eshrules
11-11-2015, 12:29 PM
Hi Just PM'd you.

However, it looks like the VAG group are tightening their belts in the light of the emissions scandal. You would never believe the influx of disgruntled customer that have contacted me within the last week alone.

kind regards

Stu

I would - how many?

patientx
11-11-2015, 04:27 PM
sorry as I am a middle aged man who does not frequent many forums, i found this forums information to be invaluable when dealing with audi's 12 year anti corrosion warranty, i did duplicate my post elsewhere because another gentleman was seeking advise, so i left my information just in case he could salvage some of my steps in dealing with audi.

cheers

Stevie

patientx
11-11-2015, 04:34 PM
wow Stu so much info and template letters on your website, brilliant.

much appreciated.

Stevie

patientx
11-11-2015, 05:04 PM
Hello guys I just received a call from the assessor at audi bodyshop just now who sent in photographs and my attached letter as above in bold to audi claims yesterday, this is only the first step and audi have come back immediately with a 70% contribution under goodwill gesture?

I spoke to bodyshop assessor at length very politely and calmy mentioning the success rates of customer achieving 100% goodwill gestures and with regards to audi 12 year corrossion waranty, how audi like to excel in customer satisfaction and customer interaction, which I simply stated that it now all seems ********, especially reading your customer promises on your bodyshop walls which does seem like all lies to me.

He said that it was the first step and that he would get back to the claims dept to discuss it further. I also explained to him that little particles of dust he mentioned does not prove that my passenger side wing was previously resprayed, i asked for the paint depth micron count, he answered "both measurements on the two front wings were under 200 microns, the wing which he suspected was previously painted measured at 190 microns, which falls under their 200 microns" I also stated that there was an independent accident/repair bodyshop nearby whom i would visit to carry out an inspection on my so called passenger side wing to prove that it was not previously resprayed. I mentioned to him that I am looking at 100% contribution from audi, I told him I will make and prepare small court claim for £2000 for both wings as they failed to honour said 12 year warranty cover as per bulletin 2009 announcement to all volkswagon/audi bodyshops to issue free wing replacement and I will contact bbc watchdog and also contact the ceo of Volkswagon/audi if this issue is not resolved to my satisfaction.

I also have a brother in law who is a senior partner with a law firm who stated that if audi have offered a 70% of the cost as a goodwill gesture, then they are simply fully admitting liability under the 12 year corrosion warranty, I also stated this fact to the bodyshop assessor today.

I will fight to the bitter end !!!

Stevie

maxgain
11-11-2015, 06:09 PM
I would - how many?

I had four individuals make contact for guidance with their claims over a nine month period.

Since this time last week, I have already had three people make contact.

maxgain
11-11-2015, 06:20 PM
Hi Steve

SPOT ON !! That's the exact stance to take with them. VW themselves will not just roll over and play dead without a fight. Sounds like Audi play exactly the same damage limitations game with their client base as VW do .As you pointed out, a "Goodwill BS" payment of 70% is blatant admission of liability towards your problem. Keep pushing them and you are likely to get the 100% offer your after. Incidentally they know they are highly unlikely to win a court case because the only gentleman I am aware of that took VW to court won his case. VW caved in minutes before it was due to go into the court to be heard. He has set a precedence for the rest of us...

Best of luck Stevie

Keep us informed as its good to see success stories. It encourages others to not to just give in and accept the BS VAG tell us in order to get out of repairing our vehicles.

Kind regards

Stu

patientx
11-11-2015, 07:03 PM
I really laid it on thick in a polite manner to the audi assessor today, and there's more to come for the poor bugger.

Audi wont know whats hit them by the time I finish, I stated social media and people power is a very powerful force to challenge and deal with, change.org for example, twitter, facebook etc

Let the good times roll !!

Now I must continue gathering more ammunition through research.

Stevie

patientx
11-11-2015, 07:31 PM
info

Audi produces 100% galvanised cars to prevent corrosion, and was the first mass-market vehicle to do so, following introduction of the process by Porsche, c. 1975. Along with other precautionary measures, the full-body zinc coating has proved to be very effective in preventing rust. The body's resulting durability even surpassed Audi's own expectations, causing the manufacturer to extend its original 10-year warranty against corrosion perforation to currently 12 years

patientx
11-11-2015, 08:47 PM
one way of getting the message across to audi

Motorist plasters his Audi A5 with slogans and parks it outside dealership | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3052043/That-s-one-way-make-point-Unhappy-motorist-plasters-35-000-Audi-A5-slogans-parks-outside-dealership-drinks-litre-oil-time-fills-up.html)

patientx
11-11-2015, 09:31 PM
info paint depth microns

The first layer applied to the metal panel of a vehicle is primer. Primer is designed to make the panel uniform so as to allow the paint colour to be evenly applied to it. Primer on modern cars is thinner than it used to be owing to advances in panel stamping technology, meaning the panels are being supplied in better, more even condition. As a result primer thickness these days, whilst varying according to car marque and individual plant operating processes, is usually between 8 microns (µm) and 38 microns (µm).
The second layer is the base colour coat, a semi-gloss layer that actually gives the panel its final colour. Again, as panels these days are of a more consistent quality, this layer is much thinner than it used to be. If the colour requires a flake or pearlescance to it, this is usually mixed in at this level. The thickness of this layer ranges from 13 microns (µm) to 38 microns (µm).
The final layer is the clear coat, an optically clear layer of lacquer designed to protect the base colour from UV degradation and oxidation. The thickness of this layer ranges from 38 microns (µm) to 102 microns (µm).
Ultimately this tells us the total thickness of the various layers on most modern cars is between 67 microns (µm) and 198 microns (µm). If you come across a panel or panels where the total depth is greater than 198 microns (µm), it is a strong indication the vehicle has been resprayed.

BETWEEN 100 AND 200 MICRONS
This is normal paint thickness. Reading in this range point to standard paint (generally speaking) and shows a
healthy thickness that should present no problems when it comes to machine polishing.

Assessor stated that the audi's paint tolerance is under 200 microns. one of my wings was 190 microns which is within their own paint tolerance and therefore does not prove in any way the wing had been resprayed.

Over 200 microns would indicate a respray which my wing is not.

maxgain
12-11-2015, 11:05 AM
Hi Stevie

all the issues we see on the VW's are as a direct result of inherent manufacturers defects. Sealer on inner door skins causing corrosion, inner covers on wheel arches rubbing on an area of foam that breaks down the protective coatings and because of its nature, retains moisture and dirt leading to corrosion and the classic fixing on the tailgates wiper which allows water ingress.

I had the discussion with VW asking why these vehicles corrode if they are glav'd. I was told its classed as a paint layer hence only covered for 3 yrs. I had worked at a company whose products were all galvanised and I have been to a glav plant to see the process. Their products could be sat in the yard or assembled on clients sites for years with no signs of corrosion, unless badly damaged beyond its ability to "self heal", or a poor application to the surface when galvanised.

Its only after going through VAG's damage limitation game, I have since found out the real reasons our vehicles corrode and the large scale attempt VAG employ to avoid repairing them. The reason I initially created the website was to name/shame them into repairing my vehicle. But after being subjected to the methods they employ, which starts with being totally lied to at the local authorised dealer, VW Sinclair Newport, by their claims manager who told me that all my corrosion issues would not be covered under the warranty, which he determined all by phone a call and had not even seen the vehicle up to then.

The lies and deceit just followed after that, so I simply decided to leave the site running and evolving in order to help others. And that's it in a nutshell.

Good to hear your getting somewhere Stevie. Keep us updated as it spurns others on to challenge VAG where these corrosion issues are concerned.


Regards

Stu

patientx
12-11-2015, 07:57 PM
kudos for creating a great site for all folk to check out and use as part of their warranty claims with VAG.

No calls today from audi, will wait till next week and start moving to the next level if I do not receive any word.

cheers

Stevie

patientx
18-11-2015, 04:13 PM
Update: Audi are not backing out of their offer of 70% goodwill contribution as per phone call to me this afternoon, I replied that I would not be accepting their offer and have asked them to send me their so called offer in writing through the post to my home address so that I can take further action by contacting their Audi warranty Department, Audi CEO, BBC Watchdog and then small claims court.

I have contacted BBC watchdog and the Audi CEO explaining that I will take them to the small claims court for the sum of £2000 for the replacement of two front wings.

I am going all out to fight for what is my god given right to claim under the Audi's so called legally binding 12 years anti corrosion warranty.

Stephen

Jamespr
29-04-2016, 03:23 PM
Hi everyone is have just taken my 2007 a4 avant s line quattro special edition into audi Norwich
To check my small rust problem on my boot located bottom drivers side and one of my wings
The man said that my wing has been repaired and my boot looks like it has rubbed my bumper or been taken off at some point so they will not do anything.
Had a look when I got home there is a mark on the bumper. But when it's closed it is nowhere near the bumper. I have looked at the rubber stops around the boot and they seem to be worn so thinking there might be movement when driving. The rubbing is only on one side and the stops seem worse on that side.
Do I have a leg to stand on if I contact them again?

maxgain
29-04-2016, 04:26 PM
Hi there, did the guy take paint depth measurements on the wing and rest of the vehicle ? If they were out of tolerance anywhere on the car, then VW have the right to deny you claiming. If they were out of tolerance, but repaired in an authorized VAG body shop, then you have reason to pursue it. They can do a dealer-wide search to determine if it were repaired in one of their shops. If not, I guess you may not be able to get them to repair the wing under warranty. As for the boot issues, it may be worth taking it into another body-shop to seek their advice with a view to going back to VW and questioning them.

Since the emissions scandal broke and subsequent admission they will be paying out near on $32bn, it appears the prime area they have targeted to saving money is body warranty claims...

Best of luck

Jamespr
29-04-2016, 05:45 PM
Hi there, did the guy take paint depth measurements on the wing and rest of the vehicle ? If they were out of tolerance anywhere on the car, then VW have the right to deny you claiming. If they were out of tolerance, but repaired in an authorized VAG body shop, then you have reason to pursue it. They can do a dealer-wide search to determine if it were repaired in one of their shops. If not, I guess you may not be able to get them to repair the wing under warranty. As for the boot issues, it may be worth taking it into another body-shop to seek their advice with a view to going back to VW and questioning them.

Since the emissions scandal broke and subsequent admission they will be paying out near on $32bn, it appears the prime area they have targeted to saving money is body warranty claims...

Best of luck

Thanks for replying they had the car for about 40mins I assume they tested the paint they did not show me the report. All they said about the car was its about 5 years ago they had it in. I have only had the car for a week (do not think it will come under my warranty) trying to sort those little problems. Took it out for a drive a little earlier and it sounds like there is some movement in the boot lid.
I have a mate who runs a body-shop will have to pop over and see him.
Apart from the paint on the rim of the wheel arch and the spot of rust on the boot and a couple off stone chips she's quite a nice example (only 71k on the clock)

peterarries
09-08-2016, 11:51 AM
Hi I bought my audi a4 b7 2.0 tfsi quattro 2005 my in early 2015. I saw the problem with the wings while looking at the car and the price of the car was altered . I've fought with audi since I've purchased the car and they won't go past 70/30 meaning I have to pay just over £300.00.last month I contacted audi customer services again to inform them I still wasn't happy. I had a phone call from them the next day saying that if I wanted to contest audi's findings from the photographs sent down for the "good will contribution " they could get a company in who would look at the car and do their own diagnosis on whether the corrosion was coming from the inside out over but it would cost me £200.00 which I would be able to claim back if their findings where different from audi. I have finally told them not to bother and I will just get the wings done myself. My friend is a painter and can do them for under £300.00. I'm very frustrated that audi has won the case with me I cannot afford to go down another route with them.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

chris a4tdi
01-10-2019, 02:04 PM
Have you any more information on this , my A4 2011 is showing the same corrosion on the front wings. I was also rejected as edge corrosion and told 70% goodwill was offered.