Tailgate rust

[pcplum]

Has anyone else experienced rust forming anywhere on the tailgate (specifically coming from area around number plate lights)?

I am going through a battle with VW currently and I will be submitting a request to them under Freedom of Information for number of incidents of this nature reported to them. It would just be useful to gauge how many similar cases (if any) there were.

Car rust 290413 015 cropped.jpg

Here is extent of damage. Blade VW repair have stated this is not covered under anti-perforation warranty, but they won't say why... they have offered 75% of costs (new tailgate) as a 'gesture of goodwill', but which still leaves me with £320 to pay!

Forgive me if I sound ungrateful, but 75% is not 'goodwill' - that is "Oh crap. There's a problem here. How can we get out of having to pay the whole thing?"

Anyway, any similar experiences you wish to share with me will be most gratefully received (and obviously treated in the strictest of confidence during my dealings with VW).

Thanks everyone.

Matt

[Guest 2]

I vaguely remember this happening before on here, when I get on my laptop later on today I'll have a look.

Battle for 100%!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[-M-]

Looking at the picture it would seem that the corrosion started with the contacts for the bulb holder - which is quite common. The seal is not the best and over time water ingress occurs leading to oxidisation.

This then leads to corrosion of the paint and body from underneath. Anti-perferation would not apply as there was a componant that was faulty, not repaired and led to corrosion taking place - therefore not a factory body or paint defect.

The corrosion should have been picked up on a regular service and reported. Goodwill contribution of 75% is very good - you could have been left with the total cost especially being outside of the normal 5 year goodwill mark.

The amount of goodwill offered by VW varies based mainly on how loyal to the brand you are - if all services and repairs were by the dealer network you would get a higher amount which tbh is fair.

If I understand it correctly The Freedom of information act is to access information held by public authorities and not private companies.

[housley1979]

I had the same issue with my B6 ('56) estate boot lid, minor corrosion formed around both number plate light units. As mentioned, this was down to the contact points of the light unit corroding and spreading to the boot lid. This wasn't something that was ever picked up by VW, i just kept my eye on it and it got worse, so took it to the dealership and they took pics and sent it to VW for assesment. I was lucky and they agreed full repair (new bootlid, respray etc.).

My car was/is in immaculate condition so they could see this wasn't due to neglect so not sure if this helped my case or not. Just out of interest what condition is the rest of your car in? Not that this should make a difference, bu tif it's in tip top condition I would think they should repair in full at no cost as it's clearly a faulty part they use during manufacture, but if it's in poor condition it woulnd't surprise me that they wouldn't repair in full and to offer 75% would seem fair.

[pcplum]

Rest of car is immaculate. Regularly cleaned and polished, with no collision damage. This rust on tailgate is only real blemish (aside from usual small stone chips which I've touched up).
It's useful to hear of others that have received 100% of costs.
Battle on. Up the proletariat!

[JimC64]

Hi there, surprised you don't have the front wing corrosion yet?
You probably will do at some point so keep an eye out for it.

The thread below is where I and many many others have battled this scenario of the 12 yr anti perforation warranty, albeit mainky on the front wings.
It is also very common for the tailgate rust issues you mention and I'm sure might be worth a look

Please Help front wing corrosion

Some might think that 75% good will is generous?
Personally I don't.

They offered me 50% goodwill initially, I battled on to 70% goodwill which I point blank refused. I advised them I would test their warranty in the small claims court if necessary and eventually won 100% "Goodwill"

They could call it whatever they like, but the fact is I didn't have to pay for something that wasn't my fault and WAS covered under warranty.

Hope it helps some