Roof gutter corrosion A4 B6 - Warranty claim and the fun begins!

P

Paul_A4_UK

Registered User
Joined
Jun 15, 2013
Messages
100
Reaction score
3
Points
16
Location
Southampton
I know a few on here have put their cars into Audi to claim for corrosion appearing in the roof gutters on their vehicles and I have just received my letter back. It has given me a little chuckle though I see a bit of a slog ahead of me now to get the work carried out under warranty.

The reason I have been given as to why I am only receiving a 70/30 goodwill gesture is because my vehicle is over three years old thus the paint warranty has expired. This is quite correct it has but the paintwork isn't the problem here at all! I see no defect in my paint. What I see is corrosion from the inside out which is covered under the 12 year warranty and my car is only 9 years old.

I need to do some digging online to find out the correct way to go about this but I'm determined to get this put through fully under warranty. Has anyone else contested the 70/30 offer and succeeded?

Cheers

Paul
 
So the B6 is now afflicted with this common problem, i had the roof of my old A6 T plate done when for the same problem and it was a year away from being out of warranty, they paid all of of it btw. Wifes A3 they wouldn't pay for, my VW passat 03 plate has just had 2 front wings done because of rust, don't have it fight it it's not paint warranty it's **** design.
 
I'm just going through a claim for both front wings, apparently the 12 year corrosion warranty doesn't actually cover bodywork only the chassis but they are accepting the front wings are a known fault which is why they normally offer 70 percent. Haven't heard anything back yet tho
 
  • Like
Reactions: audilad9
I quote from my warranty manual 'Your Audi bodywork is covered by a 12 year warranty from the date of first registration against bodywork through rust corrosion from the inside out, thanks to its fully galvanised body, and special rust proofing treatment'

Not limited to the chassis, in fact it doesn't mention the chassis at all! I'll keep you up to date as to how this pans out. I have more ammo in that you had your work completed 100% free Ian. I read about the VW front wing issues on another forum, seems many had to fight to get the warranty claim through too :(
 
I have just put my 2004 A4 1.8T quattro S-line saloon into the Glasgow Audi bodyshop to have both front wings replaced and the roof drain channels painted due to corrosion. The car has a Full Audi service history and has done 42000 miles. I was offered a good will contribution of 70% leaving me with a bill for £670 for the work.

I was told that the corrsion problems were due to paint defects therefore the damage would have been covered by the 3 year paint warranty and not the 12 year anti-perforation warranty. I did try to argue my case but was unable to get the full cost covered by Audi. I wasn't sure of where to get an independent assessment done that would be recognised by Audi UK to assist in my case.

Good luck with your claim and it will be interesting to find out the response from different dealers on these issues.

Steven.
 
I've actually just noticed on my letter it says 'Roof Corrosion - £291.22 plus vat' So they have even written it down as roof corrosion.

I was present when the inspection was made. There was NO mention of the paint being the cause of the issue. The roof gutter strips were not removed to check the condition of the paint under them either so they will not be playing that card with me! They cannot state paint is the problem when they didn't even investigate that. The reason they didn't investigate that, because the chap looking at my car clearly told me it is corrosion from the inside out.

If I have to I will get an independent assessment done though from reading on another VAG forum I might not have to go this route. Just a letter to the point noting the clear facts and giving a cut-off date that they must respond by. For the amount of work to be carried out on my car too I suspect that it has more likely been weight 30/70 in Audis favour. The price seems very high for the small areas that require the work. I do appreciate though that the body shops Audi use will probably have higher rates than Fred in his shed around the corner.
 
i think you will find that they will normally do both sides and paint the entire roof, good luck but i doon't fancy your chances of getting the whole lot done for nothing normally 70/30 in your favour
 
I've also found the thread on here where people posted their results and MANY have had the work carried out under warranty so that can be used as ammo too if needed. Only thing is I am not sure whether to call up the bodywork shop first or simply go straight to Audi customer care?
 
How do you claim? My 02 a4 has bubbles of rust on the front wings and a piece of paint has actually come off!
 
I called my local Audi dealer who informed me to contact their bodyshop and arrange for the car to be looked at.
 
Do you need to take anything? I didnt receive much paper work with mine?

Mines just got rust bubbling on the front two arches would that be classed?
 
same problem with my arches no damage or rust but if ya go up close ya can see bubbles of rust and it looks like the wings have been sprayed before the cars 9 year old so basically its went thru 2 wings in 9 years what are they spraying the wings with fizzy cans and touch up paint?
 
If it is corrosion from inside out then it is covered under the 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. You do not need full service history etc to use this the car simply needs to be no older than 12 years from the date of first registration and you report the problem as soon as you find it.

If the wing has had body work carried out on it by anyone other than Audi previously though you will not be able to claim through the warranty.
 
So has anybody managed to get Audi to pay 100% of the costs to do the front wings ? Do they fit new wings or just repaint ?
My wings are both rusty around the arches with bubbles showing the corrosion is from the inside, no paint damage. The rust and bubbles are on the panel not just under the arch.
My car is 9 years old. Is it worth trying a claim ?
 
audilad9 said:
So has anybody managed to get Audi to pay 100% of the costs to do the front wings ? Do they fit new wings or just repaint ?
My wings are both rusty around the arches with bubbles showing the corrosion is from the inside, no paint damage. The rust and bubbles are on the panel not just under the arch.
My car is 9 years old. Is it worth trying a claim ?
Click to expand...

I tried getting my rusty wings replaced under warranty, Audi basically chinned me off and tried every which way to avoid replacing them under warranty. I ended up getting it done myself.
Always worth trying but don't raise your hopes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: audilad9
I've just had a chat on the phone with my local Audi dealer, who came across as very helpful and would do his best to try and ensure I don't end up paying anything based on the facts I have passed on to him. I should know by later today so fingers crossed!

He read out to me that Audi's standpoint on this kind of defect is that it is due to the Zinc reacting with the paint that is causing the issue hence it is a paintwork claim. I did point out how can they say this is the case for every vehicle as just like owners are told each case is individual so should each of these defects be looked at individually. Also IF it is the Zinc reacting with the paint, which I don't believe for one second, then we have zinc and paint. Zinc is on the bodywork so I'll take its the bodywork at fault not the paint and the defect would have been there from day dot. I believe if this is the case trading standards might have something to say but I'd need to look into that.

Anyway that's all I have to update at the moment. Let's hope my local dealer can sort this issue out for me rather than it having to be escalted to Audi UK!
 
a little update:

I've just been on the phone with Audi and sadly they are sticking to the fact that it is edge and fold techniques used during the manufacturing process that is causing this issue. By that they mean that on an 'edge' somewhere the paint has flaked off allowing water ingress and thus causing the corrosion. Personally I cannot see how paint has flaked off in an area that has a rubber channel and metal strip placed over it?

Has anyone ever removed the strip and seen the construction of the joint in this area? I've dug up a little information but all this information points to is the fact that when bent the zinc coating applied to the panels becomes damaged and potentially this is the point when the corrosion starts! right back on the assembly line before it is even primered / painted. I've also read that there was an advice note issued to dealers in March 2005 reference this issue. I don't suppose anyone has ever seen this or have a copy of it do they?

Audi have given me information to visit PVWI to gain an independant report however I do not see how this can be independant if they are advising me to do this? Does anyone know of paint specialists in the Hampshire area that I could use to obtain a report as it seems that this is the route I am going to have to take if I am to get Audi to honour the seemingly worthless warranty.
 
Mines in the bodyshop as we speak, Audi are going to pay 70% towards whatever needs doing, not happy they gave me a brand new a4 avant for 2 weeks tho lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: voorhees
Finally getting my car back Thursday, had 2 new wings and a new tailgate. Its costing me £630. Anyone any idea if that's a reasonable amount
 
Just starting on this again. Rear right roofline corrosion and both front arches are corroding at an alarming rate.
Was offered 70% 18 months ago. Didn't have time to contest it.
I've gone to Audi UK instead of a dealer.

Has nobody had any success?

1.8t 190 S-Line Quattro.
 
I just paid to have mine done myself, one gutter front to back, one front wing, rear quarter and the back bumper painted cost me £700 and the work was top notch, Audi would have paid for me to have my gutter done but I would have still had to have paid around £500.
 
I tried but failed, ended up buying 2 new genuine wings for £300 and then £500 on having the front end painted.
 
Mike, this is exactly what I had. £420 out of a total £1168 quote - and that is just the roofline.
Seems to be lots of unhappy customers with corrosion issues.
I fear this will be the start of a long tedious process.
Greeny, - you're saying that the cost of 2 x genuine wings and their respray amounted to £800? Ouch!
 
It's frustating as Skoda are paying out 100% for rust issues on their cars, yet the so called premium brand are mugging their customers off.

I couldn't be bothered with the aggro, they wouldn't fix the other rust issues as they said it was caused by stone chips which was complete ********. Would rather get it done somewhere I trust.

RoyalBoob said:
Mike, this is exactly what I had. £420 out of a total £1168 quote - and that is just the roofline.
Seems to be lots of unhappy customers with corrosion issues.
I fear this will be the start of a long tedious process.
Greeny, - you're saying that the cost of 2 x genuine wings and their respray amounted to £800? Ouch!
Click to expand...
 
RoyalBoob said:
Mike, this is exactly what I had. £420 out of a total £1168 quote - and that is just the roofline.
Seems to be lots of unhappy customers with corrosion issues.
I fear this will be the start of a long tedious process.
Greeny, - you're saying that the cost of 2 x genuine wings and their respray amounted to £800? Ouch!
Click to expand...

Yep £800, but as you would hope for that price the finish was pretty much flawless and I am very happy with the fit and finish.
 
Hi all just been reading this
my car is 02 plate reg in 2003 feb
dose that mean Ian too late to try , coz my roof is also
Bubbling up
alan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
A4 Roof corrosion - Warranty claim results?
Replies
29
Views
4K
madmike01uk
M
robonmac
A4 corrosion warranty
Replies
7
Views
1K
AJB Audi
A
Jacko1
Roof gutter rust
Replies
3
Views
651
s4mark
S
S23
corrosion warranty frustration !!!
Replies
11
Views
3K
Ste_Nova
S
M
Paint & corrosion warranty
Replies
3
Views
956
Macduff
M
Top
Back