Fitting new rear number plates today and found a number of areas where the paint work was pitted and rust had started to form.

 

Ground back the paint with a dremel touched up with anti-rust and painted. Not a pretty fix but hidden behind the number plate.

 

I assume grit had got behind the number plate and was chafing against the paint work. I also noticed the metal is super thin in this area.

 

Could be worth removing your number plate and having a look.

Sigh.

 

This reminds me of previous VAG cars, particularly the Golf we had. Rusting on tailgate, small blebs initially, erupting a year or so later. Eventually removed the inside tailgate trim, to fix something and found the entire inside of panel completely rusted, obviously bare steel with no galvanizing and just the barest evidence of a spray over with paint. 

 

It was horrible, and not what I expect from a "quality brand"

 

I'd be tempted to check the inside of your tailgate.

It’s a bit late now but you should have taken it to the dealer to fix under warranty as corrosion is covered for 12 years (providing it has not been caused by external damage)

 

Even if it was down to the numberplate rubbing or grit surely the person who fitted them incorrectly is liable

6 minutes ago, Gizmo said:

It’s a bit late now but you should have taken it to the dealer to fix under warranty as corrosion is covered for 12 years (providing it has not been caused by external damage)

 

Even if it was down to the numberplate rubbing or grit surely the person who fitted them incorrectly is liable

UK car imported to Ireland and the surface rust was due to the fitting of the old plates so no chance of any warranty cover. 

On 09/03/2019 at 13:29, Steviedakota said:

UK car imported to Ireland and the surface rust was due to the fitting of the old plates so no chance of any warranty cover. 

Well certainly no chance once you took the Dremel to it - it should still have been covered by warranty as the number plate fixings are part of the car, fitted into the holes provided for the purpose and the warranty is EU wide

Possibly but I doubt it would have been covered. Skoda Ireland would simply have blamed poorly fitted plates in the UK, the fault is not with the paintwork.

 

Anyway, the point of this post is that I doubt mine is the only car with this problem, so it's worth highlighting.

On 09/03/2019 at 12:41, Steviedakota said:

 

Are those photos after your fix or before?

9 minutes ago, Steviedakota said:

Possibly but I doubt it would have been covered. Skoda Ireland would simply have blamed poorly fitted plates in the UK, the fault is not with the paintwork.

 

Anyway, the point of this post is that I doubt mine is the only car with this problem, so it's worth highlighting.

Warranty should be Euro-wide anyway! Skoda UK, Skoda Ireland, Skoda France, etc are still Skoda!

 

If the blame was the dealer/manufacturer, Its a claim. If when changed over, it was a non dealer or used car franchise, etc or even yourself changing plates, thats a different kettle of EU quota fish!

 

Point taken though, that anyone else might be subject to the same corrosion issue!

4 hours ago, xman said:

Are those photos after your fix or before?

 

White circle I had fixed, red circle is was not fixed (but now is). The bubbles were where grit had abraded the paint, trapped between the plate and body, maybe slamming the hatch aggravated caused the damage.

So long as you are sure. To me, bubbles like the ones to the lower right, not highlighted, and there seems to be at least 3 that I can see, where the paint doesn't seem broken shouts internal corrosion to me. It could be the bubbles that you repaired, were indeed damaged by the plate, but as a result of the bubbles lifting toward the plate. What looks like grit could be the underlying rust.

 

I would check the inner side of the tailgate if I were you. For peace of mind.

'Kerbside' Autos!

 

Paint needs checked to see if Factory Finish or Post Factory Finish.

Also, could this be a "zinc inclusion" issue that I hear about on the Yeti? No idea what it means though.

52 minutes ago, xman said:

I would check the inner side of the tailgate if I were you. For peace of mind.

 

Good idea, anyone know how to remove the inner hatch lining, I see the screw for the rubber pull handle, and what looks like three small screws for each lamp cluster? 

 

Any tips appreciated!