Bodywork Warranty

T5_Big_Blueberry · Oct 13, 2023

Our 59 plate T5 SE has developed the well-known corrosion problems on the front roof panel. I've seen the warranty mentioned a few times but it's not clear what the time limit is - is it 12 or 15 years? I've seen both mentioned in threads and obviously I'd prefer it was the latter

WelshGas · Oct 13, 2023

T5_Big_Blueberry said:
Our 59 plate T5 SE has developed the well-known corrosion problems on the front roof panel. I've seen the warranty mentioned a few times but it's not clear what the time limit is - is it 12 or 15 years? I've seen both mentioned in threads and obviously I'd prefer it was the latter

I’m afraid what you have is Galvanic or Bimetallic Corrosion. This was Not covered by the 12 yr Anti Rust warranty which refers to perforation of body or chassis components from the metal outwards.
What you have is different and was originally only covered for 3 yrs from new later increased to 6 yrs for T5/5.1 vehicles only.
Also, in all honesty you do not want to have the latest repair that VW carry out. Many who have now regret it.
You would be better off finding a body shop that specialises in vehicle restoration or bespoke vehicle repairs repainting and get the affected areas rubbed down, high content Zinc primer, filler and respray. Last price I saw for that was about £550.
This repair would probably last 5 to 10 yrs or longer.

T5_Big_Blueberry · Oct 13, 2023

WelshGas said:
I’m afraid what you have is Galvanic or Bimetallic Corrosion. This was Not covered by the 12 yr Anti Rust warranty which refers to perforation of body or chassis components from the metal outwards.
What you have is different and was originally only covered for 3 yrs from new later increased to 6 yrs for T5/5.1 vehicles only.
Also, in all honesty you do not want to have the latest repair that VW carry out. Many who have now regret it.
You would be better off finding a body shop that specialises in vehicle restoration or bespoke vehicle repairs repainting and get the affected areas rubbed down, high content Zinc primer, filler and respray. Last price I saw for that was about £550.
This repair would probably last 5 to 10 yrs or longer.

Ok, thanks and understood.

I've just been quoted £600 from a highly-recommended local place which seems fair.

Perfectos · Oct 13, 2023

T5_Big_Blueberry said:
Ok, thanks and understood.

I've just been quoted £600 from a highly-recommended local place which seems fair.

Agree that’s not unreasonable

Ozzy Pete · Oct 13, 2023

I had the lacquer lift on the front panel so not full on corrosion but it probably ended up that way. It cost me £400 to have the paint taken down to the bare aluminium, primed and painted and lacquered.
they had to replace the end caps to the side rails which cost a fair amount.
Even the adhesive for the end caps was over £30.

T5_Big_Blueberry · Oct 14, 2023

Ozzy Pete said:
I had the lacquer lift on the front panel so not full on corrosion but it probably ended up that way. It cost me £400 to have the paint taken down to the bare aluminium, primed and painted and lacquered.
they had to replace the end caps to the side rails which cost a fair amount.
Even the adhesive for the end caps was over £30.

Ah I was wondering about those - can they be removed without the rest of the rail? How do they come off?

Ozzy Pete · Oct 14, 2023

T5_Big_Blueberry said:
Ah I was wondering about those - can they be removed without the rest of the rail? How do they come off?

You can just take the end bits off, BUT they are held on with some very powerful adhesive. Almost impossible to take them off without damaging them so you will need new ones and all that’s associated with them.

T5_Big_Blueberry · Oct 16, 2023

Ozzy Pete said:
You can just take the end bits off, BUT they are held on with some very powerful adhesive. Almost impossible to take them off without damaging them so you will need new ones and all that’s associated with them.

Ah ok, thanks.

Can you add any more info to this? What else do I need to get hold of before they're taken off? Is there a guide anywhere? I've searched but can't find anything

Ozzy Pete · Oct 16, 2023

T5_Big_Blueberry said:
Ah ok, thanks.

Can you add any more info to this? What else do I need to get hold of before they're taken off? Is there a guide anywhere? I've searched but can't find anything

This is the info I have From my invoice.
CAP 1. £8.30
CAP. 1. £8.30
Foil. 1. £3.69
Adhesive 1. £40.74
Primer. 1. £8.28
Cap. 1. £9.58
Cap. 1. £9.57
Foil. 1. £3.31
Foil. 1. £3.31.

All plus VAT. Not including paint and labour.

This is for the materials to replace the plastic end caps that fit on the end
of the rails just above the driver and passenger doors.
The job was done by Sinclair VW in Gorseinon Swansea.

I Have no idea how they took the end caps off but the finished job was
A1.