Making a warranty claim for corrosion, any experience?

**54A4Avant** · 08-05-2008,01:24 PM

Does anyone have experience of making a claim under the 12 year Audi corrosion warranty? I'm pretty alarmed at the state of the tailgate on my 3 1/2 year old car - 3 rust spots already, one of which is definately coming through from the inside (as opposed to surface rust).

I'm going to contact my Audi dealer about it, but am wondering whether they will be fussy over the fact that none of the rust has perforated the bodywork (which I think is the wording of the warranty). However with another 8 and a half years before the warranty expires I would hope they'll take the reasonable view that if they don't replace the tailgate it will perforate eventually.

Anyway, any suggestions for the best approach?

**Crasher** · 08-05-2008,01:33 PM

The only thing you can do is show it to them and see what they say. At least you understand the wording of the warranty, so many other people think the 12 year warranty covers surface rust, it drivers the dealers mad explaining this to people with 10 year old 5th hand (never been near the dealers in seven years) A4’s that have a few rust spots.

**54A4Avant** · 08-05-2008,01:43 PM

Yeah I'm going to book it in and try to make them see reason, otherwise I'll have to stump up for the repair as I'm obviously not going to wait until it rusts right through.

We'll see. Where's the fingers crossed smiley on here.... Oh, this'll do

**Crasher** · 08-05-2008,01:51 PM

**kenney** · 08-05-2008,02:35 PM

Hi i dont know if the VAG factorys have different warranty regulations for different countrys.In Scandinavia the factory warranty for zinc release is 5 years.Part of my job is sending in warranty claims,and the increase on corrosion these past couple of years has been enormous,and costing VAG literally thousands.Apparently it boils down to the unpure metal,and the zinc coating is releasing from the metal.This results in a small bubble which cracks the painwork and water gets in.Inside 6 months you have an area the size of a 10p.When you are talking to the dealers about the warranty claim,ask them if they have not heard of the damage code 05.

**Crasher** · 08-05-2008,02:47 PM

Exactly what has happened to four areas on my Octavia VRS tailgate, I have heard it called "galvanic lift" which makes sense.

**54A4Avant** · 08-05-2008,03:59 PM

Well I took the bull by the horns and went to my Audi dealer this afternoon. I was expecting them to give me a yes / no decision but all they have done is take details and submit the claim to Audi via "dialogue". They say it is Audi who will take the decision.

I should know in a week or so, will keep you updated.

**RickT** · 08-05-2008,09:47 PM

keep us updated..

One thing to add..... - have you owned the car from day one?? Reason i ask, if its been bumped and repaired outside of Audi it will void the warranty on the part/section of the car if its been filled etc..

test around the car checking the depth... if you don't have access, get a magnet and see if it does not stick to a place you would expect its filler...

Rick

**54A4Avant** · 15-05-2008,09:05 PM

Hi Rick,

I've not owned the car from new but have no reason to think it's been filled. The rust I'm concerned with is clearly coming through from the inside, under the paint.

Well anyway, update is that my Audi dealer contacted me today to say that Audi had responded to the claim and wish to arrange for an independent assessor to view the car. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not? Maybe it means the claim's passed the first hurdle and the independent assessment is a standard procedure to progress the claim? Alternatively perhaps it means they wish to refute the claim but want something in writing from a third party to justify this.

Maybe..... I'm just being far too paranoid and should just go with the flow and take the car in to be assessed. I'll go with the latter

It's a bit of an aggravation though, this will be the second visit to the dealer with potentially a third if I actually get them to take on the work. It's all time off work for me and I'm self employed. Oh well.... I'll keep you updated!

**RickT** · 15-05-2008,09:11 PM

Originally Posted by 54A4Avant

Hi Rick,

I've not owned the car from new but have no reason to think it's been filled. The rust I'm concerned with is clearly coming through from the inside, under the paint.

Well anyway, update is that my Audi dealer contacted me today to say that Audi had responded to the claim and wish to arrange for an independent assessor to view the car. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not? Maybe it means the claim's passed the first hurdle and the independent assessment is a standard procedure to progress the claim? Alternatively perhaps it means they wish to refute the claim but want something in writing from a third party to justify this.

Maybe..... I'm just being far too paranoid and should just go with the flow and take the car in to be assessed. I'll go with the latter

It's a bit of an aggravation though, this will be the second visit to the dealer with potentially a third if I actually get them to take on the work. It's all time off work for me and I'm self employed. Oh well.... I'll keep you updated!

I think you have got passed stage one due to the rust coming from iside out, If they had any doubt, they would not be sending someone out..

Fingers crossed!!

Rick