UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hiya.
I was wondering if anyone had suffered from through rusting (bubbles on your paintwork *with no chip*) on their Gti's
The other day I noticed a little bubble about 2mm across just above my door on the strip that runs the length of the roof (the one that the roof rack attaches to) its on the drivers side as a bubble....it depresses when you touch it (only touched it the once didnt want to split it and make it look like a chip) I looked on the other side and saw that damn near exactly the same area this time at the very bottom of the same strip (opposite side) is some bubble rusting where it meets the roof skin...we arent talking much here...but its definately there.

Anyhow did call the VW paint guy (but heard jack S***T back off him even though he said he would ring back with a time to look at it)...he did mention it can take 3 months from him looking at it for VW to decide if its coverable under the paint warrenty.

I've just found out I live but 1 min from the workshop he works from...so I guess I'll be driving to him rather than ring up again

Back onto point...can anyone tell me if
A: they have had the same happen?
B: is the polo gti w reg on a 2000 plate galvanised or not?
cus my car is now into its 6th year...or soon will be and non Galvanised is 6 years Galvanised is 12
I'm thinking that the roof strips will not be galvanised even if the car is as they are a detachable part....whats the betting I wont be covered!

Anyhow hopefully someone can shed some light.
Thanks
Steve

Yeh all GTi's have 12 year garantee, unless they can tell its ur fault.. IE large wheels damaging arches etc...

Cheers...I thought they did....but even though they are classed as Galvanised will that count if they notice rust on a non Galvanised part...thats assuming its just the main panels and shell that are Galvanised.

The only thing I can say is go to VW and see what they say.

I see you're local, will you be using Autohaus or Wayside? I use Autohaus for my parts and they're a good bunch in there.

Sounds very much like a bad repair. Try to check the inside of the panel for signs of repair as this may effect your warranty with VW all depending on who did the work.

I went to Autohaus....they gave me the number for their paint man who works from wellingborough on the Embankment...so I have to go there to have it checked.

I dont think it would have been as a result of a smash and repair job...its just on the removable roof rack strips that run the length of the roof....I doubt anyone would have had those repaired they surely would have just bought new ones.

I'll be going to see him tmrw so I'll see what he says.

Well the news is that VW will not help.
There reason...well apparently the Gti may well have 12 years anti rust protection, but that doesnt include trim which has 3 years...this is what the man told me.
So anypart that isnt a body pannel will not be covered.
He gave some guff about it being classed as edge rusting and not through rusting, but seeing as the bubble is smack bang in the middle of the section I went in to show him I'm guessing that was a load of guff too.
So seeing as this is the case, does anyone know how much it would cost to have it repaired...or possibly have the two rails replaced?