I think I know the answer but just after a quick consensus.

 

The car works hard covering 30,000 miles a year, I'm not meticulous with washing the car but do keep on top of it every three or four weeks.

 

Doing the mileage I do means the car picks up it's fair share of stone chips which I always touch-up as soon as they are spotted.

 

However when washing the car today I noticed quite a large patch of corrosion in between the grill and the leading edge of the bonnet. Thinking this must be a stone chip I've somehow missed I was a little annoyed, but then I spotted that there is exactly the same patch of rust in the same place on the other side of the grill. Looking closer it seems to me as though the grill has been rubbing against the bonnet.

 

This to me then seems to be either a design or manufacturing issue rather than something I have done?

 

The car is getting on a bit now at 5 years old (2011) and 96,000 miles, although it does have a full main dealer service history.

 

Checking out Skoda's policy then the 12 year bodywork warranty is quite specific where it says:

 

"All new ŠKODA vehicles are fully protected during manufacture against corrosion emanating from inside the body panel for 12 years from the date of first registration."

 

This damage has not emanated from inside the body panel so I'm guessing this is not covered.

 

Anyhow, here it is, any thoughts?

 

 

Edited 17 October, 20187 yr by silver1011

I think you are right as to the answer, although you could try the "it is rubbing against the grille" as a defence. I will look at mine tomorrow though I am sure it hasn't effected mine. Fingers crossed, touch wood.

I don't remember where I read it but when I was looking at buying my used superb I found a list of things to look out for. Rust at this location was one of them so must be a known issue I guess.

Found it!

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/235068-skoda-superb-ii-known-faults/

 

Seems to be a known issue.

 

As suspected it has to be claimed on the paint warranty, which unfortunately is only 3 years so I'm well over.

 

I did however see this though...

 

"In addition ŠKODA Auto are pleased to provide an anti-perforation warranty for a minimum of 10 years (please refer to your owners manual for specific details). This offers assurance that any defect in the corrosion protection applied to body panels, that results in perforation corrosion is rectified at no cost."

 

Anti-perforation? It says refer to the manual so I'll go out and take a look.

For that part to be perforated would take some doing, as it is a pretty thick hunk of steel.

Edited 23 April, 201610 yr by mangham54

Yeah, it isn't perforated, it is merely surface rust, however given it's location it'll soon spread. It wasn't there during the cars last wash four weeks ago.

 

It's worth a shot so I've fired off an email to Skoda UK. No doubt they'll ask me to show it to a dealer, after which it'll get rejected but it does appear to be manufacturing / design fault.

 

"Hi,

 

Today I noticed some rust on the bonnet of my 2011 Skoda Superb. It is in-between the grill and leading edge of the bonnet, there are two patches, both in exactly the same place on either end of the grill.

 

After looking online I can see this is a known fault on 2011-2012 cars, there is a sharp edge on the back of the grill which rubs away the paint.

 

I've checked the details online regarding the paint and bodywork warranties, which refer me to my owners manual. Unfortunately there isn't much detail.

 

As far as I can tell the rust has to be from the inside out, but then some elements of the wording suggests that a failure of the corrosion protection is also available.

 

It's pretty clear that the rust isn't as a result of external damage (stone chips etc.) due to it's symmetrical nature. Could you please help me to understand if this would be covered under your 10 year paint and body warranty?

 

I have photo's if these would help.

 

Many thanks."

I suspect like other manufacturers it has to have a hole right through the metal to activate the warranty

Agreed, and importantly originating from the inside, not the outside.

 

So I fail on both counts.

 

A bit of a shame considering the issue does very much seem to be as a direct result of poor design / assembly rather than fair wear and tear.

Case opened with Skoda UK and the car booked in to be assessed on the 10th May.

Good luck with Skoda UK I had a leather wear issue I took up wth them. No joy. A waste of time.

I'm not holding out much hope, the car is in with the dealer the week after next for new rear bump stops so it isn't any extra hassle for them to take some pictures.

 

I've read on another thread that folds and creases are only covered for 3 years, another nice little caveat then! 

I have corrosion at the exact same location on my 2011 superb. Would be nice to know how this unfolds.

The car was inspected yesterday at Pulman Skoda in Durham. Photo's taken and a report sent to Skoda UK.

 

It's a waiting game now.

Just to keep this thread updated.

 

Skoda UK have authorised the repair on my bonnet. Getting booked in at the nearest VW approved bodyshop (BMW dealer in Sunderland I think) in the next couple of weeks.

 

Result, nice one Skoda!

Great news.

Score! Well done.

I was surprised, especially on a 5 year old 100,000 mile car.

 

I did send them pictures of our previous three Skoda's all just after being washed and looking very shiny.

 

Edited 17 October, 20187 yr by silver1011

I suspect like other manufacturers it has to have a hole right through the metal to activate the warranty

Well, we didn't need that on our MKI boot lid last year. It was 9 years 11 months old and no quibble, SUK agreed to a replace, not repair, the boot lid.

It shouldn't have been rusty in the first place

Good result as it good have gone either way with Skoda (I know from past experience  ) but still rust shouldn't  be appearing after five years.

Nice one. I will keep a close eye on mine now.

Might be worth having my rusty wheel arch looked at then.

Booked in for a respray on Tuesday 5th July!

 

Skoda UK have been excellent, pushing the dealer at every turn.

All sorted, the car was picked up this morning and taken back to the dealer. As it happens it looks like they carried out a smart repair rather than taking it into an approved bodyshop.

 

Still the work looks good, the grill was taken off, rust removed and repainted and still covered by Skoda's warranty.

 

I also asked for a quote to have a few other little scuffs and scrapes fixed whilst he was at it, £90 and the car looks like new.

 

 

Edited 17 October, 20187 yr by silver1011

Good result all round.  £90 and the car comes back better than you had even expected, nice one