T6.1 Rust

[T6.1Drew]

My 2022 T6.1 (sept2022) purchased from new starting to rust,signs showing under the paintwork,no stone chips to encourage…..both sides of the vehicle,main dealers saying one side outside influences,ie stone chips,other side is manufacturing issue,had independent survey,saying to rectify,start off by replacing both side sliding doors and blend each side in……major costs….any suggestions,cheers

 

[Bav]

no stone chips to encourage…

main dealers saying one side outside influences,ie stone chips

So who's right - are there stone chips or not?

Have you seen/read the survey? Does it address the issue of root cause and liability, or just rectification?

 

[Sasquatch]

Does the main dealer actually have a bodyshop, and thus the expertise to make such a claim, or are they just a typical main dealer?

It it's under "unbroken" paint as you describe, then it can't be an external influence.

Pictures?

 

[T6.1Drew]

So who's right - are there stone chips or not?

Have you seen/read the survey? Does it address the issue of root cause and liability, or just

So who's right - are there stone chips or not?

Have you seen/read the survey? Does it address the issue of root cause and liability, or just rectification?

No to the stone chips……. main dealer saying wear from the road has caused the protective layer/ lacquer to get damaged causing the rust spots bubbling under the surface,(I questioned,one the vehicle should not rust,plus how can the paint bubble below the surface with no evidence of damage)main dealer described,near side has stone chips,clearly hasn’t……so won’t be covered under warranty……offside may be covered under warranty as there are no stone chips……both sides look identical to me,vehicle has 20k miles on, well loved…..still waiting on vw for any answers

 

[T6.1Drew]

Does the main dealer actually have a bodyshop, and thus the expertise to make such a claim, or are they just a typical main dealer?

It it's under "unbroken" paint as you describe, then it can't be an external influence.

Pictures?

Vw Main dealer,doesn’t have a bodyshop,they recommend someone they use……there take was…..paint depth was very thin,could make a repair to the area and blow in,but would always be visible….. but to rectify get two new sliding doors,then would have to paint both sides of the vehicle……can’t believe this on a two year old van….
Main dealers are saying warranty to paintwork is very hard to push through.

 

[Bav]

So who did the independent survey and what did it say?

Sounds to me like your dealer is full of sh1t. "Removal of lacquer [due to an unspecified process] can cause rust underneath unbroken paintwork"? My arse!

Take it to a different dealer or get your own report.

 

[Sasquatch]

That'd have to be pretty rotten to genuinely justify two new doors.

As the illustrious Bav suggests, take to to a bodyshop unconnected with the dealer who'll either quote for a proper repair rather than expect to be handed two new doors by VW, or elsr provide you with a genuinely independent insight into the cause of the problem.

Try and find one that's an NBRA member as their workmanship will be assured and their opinion unimpeachable if it progresses to small claims court. Remember, if it gets a but gnarly your claim is against the supplying dealer and not the importer.

 

[Bav]

As the illustrious Bav suggests...

Gobby and opinionated?

 

[Sasquatch]

Gobby and opinionated?

I couldn't spell the third word!

 

[Plasko]

Same issue on the roof of my 2023 van. Volkswagen had it inspected and surprise surprise they claimed it was from external influences, even though you can clearly see lumps under the paint and no damage to it. Currently with the ombudsman awaiting an outcome.

 

[bozena]

Hi everyone,
I’ve noticed quite a few rust forming underneath the van, mainly close to the wheel area (not on the body panels, just on the underside). It looks more or less like a surface corrosion..
Do you think this should be treated with a bitumen underbody coating? Or any other treatment? The van is a T6.1 from 2021 (5 years old)

 

[doncarlyon]

That's just surface rust and looks completely normal for a 5yr old vehicle to me.

 

[Sasquatch]

None of that looks at all scary.

Your options are...

Leave it and keep an eye on it. Its not at all worrisome at this stage.

Use something like Dinitrol, which requires proper surface prep and rust removal or itll slowly spread unseen under the product. Good if youre up for doing the proper prep though.

Or use a Lano type spray, which is effective and needs no prep (other than removing any loose dirt and ensuring the van is dry.) It needs re applying annually/biannually, depending on the product and how well you get it on there, but is piss easy and takes only 20 minutes so far from onerous.

So take your pick. Personally id leave it for now and then go for the last option when spring arrives.

 

[DXX]

That's just surface rust and looks completely normal for a 5yr old vehicle to me.

Unfortunately normal, just the result of sharp edged steel pressing and poor post weld paint prep’. It was only designed to last 5 years.