I'm livid.

I took the morning of work to go down to the local VW dealer to have my 2001 passat inspected, specifically the rust bubbling around and through the lights over the rear license plate.

I went on saturday initially, and the put the report into VW - who rejected it this morning. The inspection went ahead, and he too rejected it, on the grounds that as it's a Jan 2001 car, it's out of warranty.

I detailed to this chap that the body work is still covered, and rust, from underneath like that, could not be dismissed.

Both he and the VW dealer's rep hid behind the wording of the document "corrosion from within" and maintained that a panel had to rust through from the inside out.

Well, they did agree to put in a more detailed report, and duly went back outside to take paint measurements fro mall over the car - and returned almost 30mins later looking rather flustered - my car is that well cleaned and waxed, the readings where sliding all over the place........serves them right!

I don't hold much faith in Customer Care actually taking this up and sorting it............and the Octy's going on friday as well........ :(

Car makers never stand by the rust warranties. They always riggle out of it.

Javaman,

I had a problem with rust on the internal panels of my MK3 golf. On the rear doors, rust started to come through quite substantially at the hinge (both doors). I went to my local dealer who had an inspection. He initially told me there was nothing he could do, as the car was 3 months out of its 6 year internal anti corrosion warranty. I pointed out the advanced state of the rust, and that it had obviously started well before the warranty had run out, only it is in such a place that its not really noticeable.

He had to agree that this was the case, and logged his report with VW UK. After a few phone calls with VW UK, i got the rust fixed, courtisy of VW.

A bit of hassle, but not that much. I found out later that this was a common problem with the 5 door MKs golf, but it usually doesn't show through until well after the warranty has expired.

Surely this rust is covered under the anti perforation warranty!!! If so, tell them it happened within the warranty period, even though you only noticed it after. If they want, you could get an independent inspection.

Have you called or written to VW UK yet?? They seemed quite reasonable when i spoke with them.

Its bad for their business, if a customer is not satisfied.

My only other advice is to try some of the other forums for similar problems with VW. Try http://www.uk-mkivs.net/forum/uk_home.asp and http://www.performancevwmag.com/

You may have to register, but its worth it.

Best of luck

JD

Car makers never stand by the rust warranties. They always riggle out of it.

My ex had a 3 year-old Fiat Cinquecento which rusted on the front wings around the indicators. (5 year rust warranty)

I was really surprised thay they sorted it out with no argument whatsoever.

to Picadilly Fiat in Wakefield

Skoda have on their website

http://www.skoda.co.uk/skoda3g/content/yourskoda/Aftersales.aspx

a paragraph which details warranty cover.

2 year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, with a third year of warranty valid up to 60,000 miles, as well as a 10 year anti-perforation warranty.

Per the VW website for new cars. http://www.vw.co.uk/services/factory_warranty/benefits

If your new vehicle is one of the following models: Lupo, Polo Hatch, Golf Hatch and Estate, fresh Beetle, Bora, Passat Saloon and Estate, you are covered by a 12 year Long-term Body Protection Warranty. All other models are covered for a 6 year period. This warranty protects you against the cost of rectifying rust attacking the internal cavities of the bodywork (from the inside out).

I used to own a VW polo (G plate 1990). Just before the 6 year period that I think the rust warranty expired, I took my car to the VW dealership to have repairs done to rust apparent around the tailgate hinges on the body. They accepted the repair and the quality of workmanship was great.

you are covered by a 12 year Long-term Body Protection Warranty. All other models are covered for a 6 year period. This warranty protects you against the cost of rectifying rust attacking the internal cavities of the bodywork (from the inside out).

This is the caveat they're quoting at the moment to get out of it. The argument is, it's external rust.

The fact that it's on part of panel that is downward facing, and and is coming from the upward fold of that panel (which IS an internal cavity) seems to carry absolutely no weight with them at all so far.

I'll see what the outcome is from this avenue so far. I don't see the point of taking it to another dealer - the view is, the car is out of it's 3 year warranty, and it's the "wrong type of rust".

(although I'd argue that ANY type of rust on a 4 year old car is the WRONG type of rust.........)

Hope you get it sorted soon Joe.

VW UK are ignorant money grabbing *******. I had probs with my previous mk4 golf and they could not care less. They have taken your hard earnt cash, and thats as much as they care. I like VW cars, I dont like VW and will never get another. I know Skoda is part of VW but i hope and pray they are different....I have yet to find out.