Hi,

I bought a 7 year old Fabia last week (13/07/09) and during the weekend I noticed paint bubbling with rust underneath. This runs along the bottom edge of the tailgate, so I took the car to Simpsons in Preston and they told me that they couldn't do the work under warrenty. Have anyone else had this problem with their Fabia's and should I try a different dealership (Parkside Skoda in Bolton) or will they say the same thing. Can post pics if required.

Thanks,

Chris

I've got a feeling i've seen something on here about this. I'm sure it was caused by the rear bumper and tailgate rubbing together. If I find it before you do i'll let you know.

Regards Chris

found it http://briskoda.net/fabia-i/rust-my-54-plate/139393/

From what I can see the bumper and tailgate don't appear to be rubbing

If you bought the ar from a Skoda dealer I would insist remedial work be done. The rust on the tailgate lip would be 90% caused by rusting from inside out which is the only cause for Warranty Claims.

If you bought it from an independant car dealer you are relying on his goodwill to keep his recommendation. Caveat Emptor would be his defence if he's not going to help. He would only be liable to fix or re-imburse the car if it were dangerous to drive on the road.

I succesfully claimed on my anti-corrosion warranty, see here: http://briskoda.net/fabia-i/anti-corrosion-warranty/139701/

Although, funnily enough, Skoda rejected it 1st time round and had to get the dealer to claim again. Was accepted on the 2nd attempt. If you have a good dealer, like I did, they will bend over backwards for you

HTH

Defo should be covered by 10 year body corrosion warranty is it's rusting through, and not just wear and tear paint damage.

Defo should be covered by 10 year body corrosion warranty is it's rusting through, and not just wear and tear paint damage.

I agree, unless the rust has been caused by a chip or deep scratch that has broken the paint. Our last Fabia (estate) had paint bubbling under the boot window, and this was sorted no problem at all. A few months later it started bubling above the window and that was more of a battle to get sorted. Initially Skoda refused the claim saying that the bodyshop should have sorted it out with the earlier repair. That was ridiculous on two counts - first, there was no evidence of bubbling above the window when the car was first repaired, and second, even if that was the case it was a Skoda approved bodyshop who did the work so it would have been their fault and I would expect them to put it right. Eventually, after two months arguing with Skoda Customer Care they sent out their area paint specialist who agreed the claim and we ended up with a new boot. Our dealer (West End Garage in Uphall) was very helpful.

So, don't be fobbed off and if the dealer won't help go to Skoda Customer Care.

For the paint warranty to be valid, the car must have had its body inspections as part of its service history. As soon as it misses one, the warranty is voided. One good reason to have servicing done at main dealers.

For the paint warranty to be valid, the car must have had its body inspections as part of its service history. As soon as it misses one, the warranty is voided. One good reason to have servicing done at main dealers.

We bought our estate secondhand from a Skoda dealer. The last few services prior to us buying it were done by an independent garage, but Skoda still honoured the warranty. Similarly, Audi honoured the paintwork warranty on an A6 that had been bought from a Skoda dealer and serviced by an independent.

Took the car to Parkside Skoda at Bolton, and they have taken pictures and a copy of the service history (even though the car has a full service history, 7 of the stamps are done by skoda the other three by a garage) and sent them to SUK, should get the response next week, hopefully

This happened to my 02 tdi estate in 2006, at about 90k miles, as I recall. I had had the car from new and it had been regularly serviced at an excellent garage which moved from Skoda to Daihatsu in 2004. I took the car to Horton's, Lincoln, and was most impressed by how quickly and courteously they sorted it out - all under warranty. I seem to recollect hearing that it was quite a common spot for rusting through on this model, although I can't remember where I got this idea from. I hope it all works out as easily and painlessly for you.

To update, the warranty claim got rejected by SUK.

To update, the warranty claim got rejected by SUK.

I would tell them the car has a 10 years corrosion warranty, and that trading standards would be interested. Only valid if it's coming though the metal, rather than surface rust on the outside.

I would tell them the car has a 10 years corrosion warranty, and that trading standards would be interested. Only valid if it's coming though the metal, rather than surface rust on the outside.

Got a quote for the following:

Bonnent respray;

OS front wing respray (someone took the paint down to metal :();

Fit and spray new spoiler (Skoda OE);

Repair lower section of tailgate.

And the price for that from an approved VAG bodyshop:

£430 (price is valid for 3 months)

I had my rusty tailgate replaced for new under the 10 year warranty, not one of the body inspections was filled out in my book but it did have fsh and was 4 years old on 96K, they did a schitty job though, had to go back loads of times so choose your dealer wisely.

Mine was bubbling in the number plate recess and on the seams in the shut where the top of the rear light cluster would meet it, if that makes sense

One more thing, SUK SUCK, unless you've got a good dealer so you can completely avoid talking to these fools yourself, just leave it rusty as it's not worth the stress that you will have trying to get it done yourself. They've had your money, why should they care???

Got a quote for the following:

Bonnent respray;

OS front wing respray (someone took the paint down to metal :();

Fit and spray new spoiler (Skoda OE);

Repair lower section of tailgate.

And the price for that from an approved VAG bodyshop:

£430 (price is valid for 3 months)

Not a bad price that

One more thing, SUK SUCK, unless you've got a good dealer so you can completely avoid talking to these fools yourself, just leave it rusty as it's not worth the stress that you will have trying to get it done yourself. They've had your money, why should they care???

I find customer services tend to treat people very well, unless someone approaches them with bad attitude.

Found 2 rust spots on my tailgate a couple of weeks ago.one was showing damaged paint,which was not caused by a stone chip or scratch as the car gets washed a waxed quite frequent by me,so would notice if i had a stone chip or the scratch.The other is starting underneath the paintwork.The car went in to alex lawrie,liverpool last week for its 70,000 service (the car has only done 54,000)they took photos and sent them to skoda UK.The dealership phoned me on monday to say i was not covered because it was caused by a stone chip,which i knew they would say.I then got the wife to send an email for me (because she is good at that,and because i was fuming)telling skoda uk how dissapointed i was with there reply and stating this will have an influence on my next vehicle purchase and also i am considering contacting a leading magazine with this problem along with photos.Credit to skoda uk they got in touch with me yesterday(tuesday) and asked me again about the problem i have and asked did i have a decent camera to take photos to send to them.So i got the nikon SLR out and took several photos of high quality and sent them.They rung back today to confirm they had received them and they will get in touch by next week.Like i said earlier this was not caused by a stone chip or scratch its just any excuse not to fix the problem.The fabia has a full skoda history done by the book i am the second owner,it was only 6 months old when a bought it off Riding + co skoda,preston in 2004.First service done by them and the rest by alex lawrie.liverpool.Will update when i receive the reply....I would put photos up,but no idea how to do it,sorry........thanks for reading..