Another Rusty B6

Hi everyone,

I have been viewing this board for a while but I have been compelled to join and share what is probably going to be a pain in the *** of a story.

So I have a B6 estate and has been great, but my boot/tailgate has just erupted with rust! In no less than 10 separate places.

I hope the warranty will cover this (surely this is a defunct panel). But, after a word with Lookers VW in Northallerton the warranty 'specialist' said it would certainly not be covered as the rust was on joints or folds (he has not even seen the car) but said that the factory may give a portion of the repair costs out of good will. So all I have to do is take a day off work, leave the car with him for the day (it is 50 miles from where I live) then collect the car at the end of the day. He will send off some forms and then let me know how much VW are prepared to pay towards the cost. He also mentioned I will probably need a new wiring loom etc etc...then take the car back several weeks later and leave with them for a week without giving me a lease car...then pay the bill and get my car back. All sounds a little convoluted to me....

Has anyone had any experience in getting VW to replace panels affected by rust before with any tips? Also, has anyone seen so much rust on a tailgate before? It is a 2007 plate and the rest of the car has no rust and the bodywork is in good order.

Attachment 27096Attachment 27097Attachment 27098Attachment 27099Attachment 27100

Here are the other five spots of rust....
Attachment 27101Attachment 27102Attachment 27103Attachment 27104Attachment 27105

I've had rust on tailgate of my '06MY and got looked after by Beadles in Sevenoaks. This included full repair, without charge, and a loaner for a week. There's no "forms". Just a marking around the rust affected areas, a measurement of the paint thickness, and forwarding of photographs to VWUK for their agreement to warranty works. All this can only be done at a VW dealership that has a paint shop

From what you've said it sounds as if this dealer is preparing the ground for your claim where no liability is being admitted. You are not obliged to accept any "goodwill" gesture, or make any, as yet unspecified, part payment. There's no requirment for you to stump up for "wiring loom", I certainly didn't. What wiring fault have they uncovered? Even if there's an electrical fault found that's down to the corrosion occuring -- in my case it's electrolysis action between the number plate light holders' bolts and the panel. My claim included replacing two of the "old style" (they've since been updated) number plate light holders.

Take it somewhere else. From what you've posted, I wouldn't trust them to repair my vacuum cleaner...

Stickey thread on this with lots of others' experiences, pix, and the advertised terms and conditions of body warranty in:
UKpassats.co.uk • View topic - Boot rust issue VW aware!!

Let us know how you get on?

Worth checking and reading through too........

Please Help front wing corrosion

Hi,

Just an update on this really.

After having terrible service from Lookers Northallerton I took it to Harrogate VW who were utterly brilliant. Confirmed the lights over the numberplate was a known issue and booked me in for a new tailgate.

6 weeks later it went in to get replaced and I got a new Polo as a courtesy car while the work was done.

So a happy ending all round really - moral of the story - try a few VW dealerships to see who is the most amenable!

Nice to hear of a good dealership. It's a shame VW don't get shut of the bum ones who haven't a clue what customer care is about. Perhaps we should have a list of the good, the bad and downright useless on here and then VW Audi can find proper franchises for their products.