Hi,

Got some tailgate corrosion on my 2003 vRS estate.

I took some photos of this and spoke to my local dealer (White Dove) whom sent them off to Skoda. However i've now heard back and they (Skoda) are claiming that the corrosion:

'has been visible for some time and should have been reported prior to this'.

As such, they've refused to do anything under the corrosion warranty.

Do you guys here think i've got much of a chance of getting them to change their mind? If so, how do you think I ought to go about it? The corrosion has been present for a while but I have only had the car myself for 9 weeks or so....

Cheers,

Mike

I suspect I may be in a similar position with my '03 Vrs estate (from new). I reported the same problem to Palmers Watford on 18th May, after reading a thread here on Corrosion Warranty. They took photos and said it looked like it had been present for some time but they would contact Skoda and let me know - I'm still waiting!

The dealers seem to be making subjective points which must be contestable - especially since it's not a unique problem. I should push for another view as you've only recently had the car.

If we need to build a case to shame Skoda into action (class action!) could everyone who's had a problem with tailgate rust let us know (model, year, response from Dealer/Skoda and the eventual outcome) on this thread please.

I have just had a similar claim on SWMBOs 04 Fabia Estate rejected. A number of what appear to be small rusty spots have appeared on the tailgate above the number plate in the recess. Skoda UK have rejected the claim on the basis that it is poor paint adhesion which would have made it a paint defect and only covered for three years.

There is also a small patch (about the size of a little finger nail) on the bottom of the front wing, just in front of the sill. They have said the same about this - poor adhesion. If this is correct then it is a worrying situation. Suggests that the paint is gradually just going to fall off the the car!

I personally think that the area on the wing is rust coming through from the back as there does seem to be a mud trap in that area behind the wheel arch liner. I'll leave it for now to get worse as Skoda and my local dealer both have this on file along with the date that it was reported.

The dealers seem to be making subjective points which must be contestable - especially since it's not a unique problem. I should push for another view as you've only recently had the car.

That's normal. I had corrosion on the panel at the side of the roof fixed on my 8 year old A3, but rejected on the Lupo, where others have had the opposite situation.

It varies from dealer to dealer.

Yeah, might try another dealership.

Photos of the corrosion are at Index of /corrosion_big (apologies for res, I only uploaded the high res ones in case White Dove needed them).

Just seems crazy that there's a corrosion warranty yet they won't touch it. Surely the repair is ultimately the same regardless of the state of corrosion (with the exception of if it's _really_ bad and requires filling). With a metallic colour the entire panel would require painting so it seems a little strange.

White Dove lick balls big time.

It may be worth contacting skoda uk yourself, cut out the middle man like.

That doesn't look like paint adhesion to me, it looks like rust has started at the flange where the glass is attached and crept back. Has the car ever had replacement glass?

Not as far as I know - the glass in the tailgate has skoda etching etc on it.

If I recall correctly the reason why the corrosion occurs is because the glass was initially fitted incorrectly. Maybe someone else can confirm this though.

Not as far as I know - the glass in the tailgate has skoda etching etc on it.

If I recall correctly the reason why the corrosion occurs is because the glass was initially fitted incorrectly. Maybe someone else can confirm this though.

Yes, this is what the VW bodyshop who fixed my tailgate told me. Also I was told that the problem was recognised and they changed how they fitted them in the factory so it tends not to effect the cars built after 2003. The screens were fitted too low and rubbed on the paintwork, water gets in and the rust starts

Your car only looks slightly worse than mine and it was sorted no problem. Try the stealers in Newport (can't remember their name) I found them to be a lot more helpful than white dove. Besides if white dove were allowed to do the work it probably wouldn't be until august

Hi Guys

I too have this issue, but it hasn't turned to rust yet. i was under the immpresion that the dealers take photo's and they then send the photo to skoda, and Skoda say if it's covered. But from what you guys are saying it's up to the dealer:confused: i'm just a bit confused and my cars going to the dealers tommorow to start the process.

My experience (and some useful info from others) here.

http://briskoda.net/octavia-i/corrosion-warranty/142083/

Rust started behind the glass as it was mounted too low and rubbed slightly on the lip at the top of the metal panel. Very common on the 03 Octy estate. Allegedly fixed later on.

Mine had not formed into actual rust and had manifested as bubbles int he paint just below the glass. Once I had photos that showed it clearly, Skoda only took 10 days or so to accept responsibility.

Resprayed last week and it looks like the garage did a decent enough job.

There does appear to be an element of 'luck of the draw' here but with such strong precedent (the guy in the Edinburgh dealer reckoned he's done loads of these), you should try push back.

Cheers,

iep

My experience (and some useful info from others) here.

http://briskoda.net/octavia-i/corrosion-warranty/142083/

Rust started behind the glass as it was mounted too low and rubbed slightly on the lip at the top of the metal panel. Very common on the 03 Octy estate. Allegedly fixed later on.

Mine had not formed into actual rust and had manifested as bubbles int he paint just below the glass. Once I had photos that showed it clearly, Skoda only took 10 days or so to accept responsibility.

Resprayed last week and it looks like the garage did a decent enough job.

There does appear to be an element of 'luck of the draw' here but with such strong precedent (the guy in the Edinburgh dealer reckoned he's done loads of these), you should try push back.

Cheers,

iep

was yours within the 3 years paint warranty? mine is a 2003 the paint is coming away but hasn't started to rust yet but it's just a matter of time. I'm wondering if they will say it's paint problem and dismiss it:(

My 52 L&K estate had same problem and was agreed and fixed under the corrosion and perforation warranty which is something like 12 yrs (1 claim only thing as I understand though, so if a previous owners claimed already you may be out of luck). I was down to the metal work on the wiper arm side and it was starting to bubble on the opposite side. Prior to paint flaking away I hadn't spotted the bubbling which may have been present for sometime. Regardless of "how old" it is, it is still under warranty and there is presidence amongst many other Estate owners, including myself, on Brskoda that this is a recognised and claimable problem.

Mine is a 2003 and I had it done last week. The issue was deemed a corrosion warranty issue since the corrosion related to bad factory fitting of the rear window (corrosion started inside the panel and did not relate to paint 'lifting').

Either way, the dealer takes photos and sends to Skoda so the final decision should not be dealer dependent. Having said that, I gather the dealer makes very little money on the skoda warranty repairs (get reimbursed by skoda at a very low hourly rate) so maybe some don't even pass the photos along? The guy at the garage I used certainly suggested that the warranty repairs were a real issue for him as they clogged up the workshops with non profitable jobs.

Sounds paranoid to say it I know but I can't see why else there is such a patchy response to this issue.

Interesting to hear of the one claim policy. The garage I used told me that the warranty remains unaffected and that if the problem re-occurred within the original 10 years that I could claim again.

iep

I think that depends on how the job is repaired. If the panel is replaced with a new genuine panel the warranty continues for the balance of the 10 years. If the original panel is repaired, then you only get a one year warranty from the bodyshop who does the work.

Mine was a respray of the original panel but maybe the guy who said I get the balance of the 10 years was mistaken.

iep

Regardless of "how old" it is, it is still under warranty and there is presidence amongst many other Estate owners, including myself, on Brskoda that this is a recognised and claimable problem.

Too the OP

I wouldn't bother mentioning this fact in White Dove as they don't even recognise our exsistence in there.

I would try Griffin Mill in Pontypridd or Capitol in Newport. I've heard good things about Capitol.

Progress of post #2: contacted Palmers today (can't they make outgoing calls?) to find that Skoda have asked for a "paint thickness test" to establish whether its an accident repair problem (it isn't, but at least Skoda haven't rejected the claim out of hand).

Unfortunately Palmers don't have their own paintshop and the one they use isn't VAG accredited (apparently a VAG accredited one must be used), so they suggested a Skoda franchise elsewhere with its own paint shop - MK, Oxford or London were the nearest I could try!

This sounded like a load of tosh so, pushing back, I suggested that as the local franchisee they should take responsibility for sorting out the test. Palmers are now seeking further guidance from Skoda.

I was hoping to get a facelift vRS when they are available but this sort of attitude makes one question the dealer and Skoda - we'll see what happens.

Hi

As i suspected Skoda have said that the problem is with the paint and so is not covered under the 10 year corosion warranty. We are going to contact Skoda directly but i'm not holding much hope. Is there anything short of a tailgate respray (can't afford it) that i can do to protect the metal it hasn't started rusting yet but it's just a matter of time. I was thinking of useing one of those chipstick things used for stonechips.

Tom

I had this problem on our 2003 vRS estate. Bubbling at either end of the boot handle. I ended up taking it back to the bare metal, treating with Kurust, then zinc priming, followed by a respray using matched paint. Cost me maybe £20 all-in. The work is pretty good, considering, though I have yet to do the final buffing and sealant, so it's still somewhat more 'matte' than the rest of the paintwork.

"Is there anything short of a tailgate respray (can't afford it) that i can do to protect the metal it hasn't started rusting yet but it's just a matter of time."

...see above. I'd recommend looking into either POR-15 or some sort of direct-to-rust treatment, which at least will mechanically block any further rust if done properly. Otherwise, wet&dry back to the bare metal as I did...

My recent skoda dealer experience of tailgate (and rear door) corrosion was actually very good. I found 2 rust bubbles on the tailgate of my 03 Octavia hatchback (either side of plastic trim above number plate), and 1 on the same spot on each rear door window surround. See pics attached.

Went to Mervyn Stewart Skoda in Belfast who took pics and measured paint thickness to send to Skoda UK. The following week they gave me a courtesy car for 5 days while they sorted it. The tailgate was resprayed (new badges fitted), and the rear doors respayed too. Paint match is superb - even impressed my coachbuilder mate when he saw it. I am really fussy about overspray on trim etc, and there simply is none to be found. I reckon they stripped the tailgate and doors as there isn't even a masked off edge under the rubbers. I know that the lacquer coat was applied from rear pillar to front 'A' pillar because the stone chips I touched up on the 'A' pillar a while back are now under lacquer!

Oh and the car was returned after being cleaned inside and out. Really happy with a quality job.

My (new to me) 2001 Octavia Estate has a lot of rust on the tailgate which looks like its been there for a while. Will get some pictures when it stops raining. Its at the bottom of the glass and around the plastic trim above the number plate. Looks like the same problem as everyone else.

I phoned Skoda UK yesterday about a possible warrenty claim and they said it cant be handled directly it has to be presented by a dealer.

I will call in to my local dealer next week and start the process. I've already got a quote from a local "sprayer" and its in the region of £200. Will update when I know whats likely to happen.

Update on #2 and #18.

11June Phoned Palmers, in the absence of any contact from them, to be told they have arranged for me to go to Robsons Coachworks in St Albans. Duly drove there to have a brief inspection, more photos and a paint depth test (to check whether the tailgate had been resprayed). Very helpful, no problems - so Robsons will report back to Palmers. We wait to hear.

2 July Phoned Palmers (again) - no word from Skoda.

15 July Ditto

23 July Phoned Palmers (again) to chase progress. Apparently Skoda is not prepared to accept the warranty claim as the service history is not complete (probably my fault as I thought it was variable servicing, but how this affects body work problems is difficult to understand). Palmer's Service reception manager dismisses forum reports as evidence of tail gate rust being a known issue.

However Palmers have asked Skoda to think again, apparently.

We wait to hear.

23 July Phoned Palmers (again) to chase progress. Apparently Skoda is not prepared to accept the warranty claim as the service history is not complete (probably my fault as I thought it was variable servicing, but how this affects body work problems is difficult to understand). Palmer's Service reception manager dismisses forum reports as evidence of tail gate rust being a known issue.

On this basis i've got no chance then:mad: But I would argue that point as a service history has no relevance to the paint/rust problem. Yes it might have been picked up on earlier if serviced on the dot but I highly doubt it as unless it is a known problem and it is included in the service procedure it wont be checked. But then this means Skoda are aware of the problem and therefore stregthens your case.

Edited 23 July, 200916 yr by octimark

Here some pictures of my rust:

Edited 23 July, 200916 yr by octimark
Working out how to add pictures.