VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[johnyboy]

Got ours back on Saturday

 

[JULIANLISMORE]

Got ours back on Saturday

Hi Johnyboy, Do you mean from Audi Glasgow? If so please would you say how well they performed? What was the extent of the work they carried out? What does the result look like? Did they take care of the vehicle generally.

Sorry about so many questions, but I'm seeking reassurance that they are OK for roof corrosion repairs.

Many thanks.

 

[johnyboy]

Nope - ours went via Basingstoke to Twickenham
They only did the front panel - looks smart now with gasket stuff
Cleaned inside and out, looking good
Trailered from Basingstoke so no extra miles
I don't dig the customer service at Basingstoke

 

[Judyl]

My understanding on the warranty is that as long as it was registered within 6 years then the they will still do the warranty work. I was close to the end of the warranty when it was accepted but am still being told it will be fixed one day. Is there anyone else from Essex or surrounding area that has had their roof done and where did they go to get it done ?

 

[lospatos7]

Good, my name is Enrique González Vega, I'm from Tenerife, I went today to the Concessionaire in Tenerife called Cuatromocion, because of the famous bubbles in the front of the roof of my California T5, the van is 8 years old and they tell me that Paint guarantee is 3 years and sheet metal is for 6 years and if there is perforation then it is 12 years, which is a paint problem, I say no, that is a recognized failure of this model and that is not painting A bad aluminum alloy from the ceiling and they tell me that they do not change it for a new one but they repair it and that I would have to pay it, 2000 €. I request that I change the piece of the roof since it is not a fault of misuse of the car but of a factory defect. I would like to know how you have claimed in England. A greeting.

 

[Julie and Archie]

Took mine to Trafford Park today. Very helpful, took photos, explained everything. He said VW have now got 10 rather than 4 suppliers for the work so things should speed up. Hoping ongoing experience remains positive

 

[Colinclared]

If anyone is interested this is what my main roof repair looks like after 2 months on a 2012 Cali. Done via Bristol Heritage. It's well and truly ruined. This is via the new repair method. I washed it with a sponge!

 

[calikev]

That's shocking I feel for you

 

[Meoncoast]

If anyone is interested this is what my main roof repair looks like after 2 months on a 2012 Cali. Done via Bristol Heritage. It's well and truly ruined. This is via the new repair method. I washed it with a sponge!

has VW seen this what a poor workmanship and what have Bristol Heritage said, gutted for you,is that under or above the seal

 

[Hotel California]

If anyone is interested this is what my main roof repair looks like after 2 months on a 2012 Cali. Done via Bristol Heritage. It's well and truly ruined. This is via the new repair method. I washed it with a sponge!

Thats no corrosion but seems something went wrong respraying....
No good , feel for you...

 

[blakeley]

Gutted for you, and Heritage are supposed to be one of the top bodyshops!!

So even once we have the repair completed we are sitting on time bombs.

Disgusting!

 

[SuzeM]

Scary!! Waiting for mine to be done at some point this year. . Hope they fix it pronto

 

[Digger]

Incompetence on the part of Bristol Heritage. This has to be notified to VW to have them removed from repair contracts. Especially as that outlet is responsible for any future warranty on the repairs.

 

[JULIANLISMORE]

If anyone is interested this is what my main roof repair looks like after 2 months on a 2012 Cali. Done via Bristol Heritage. It's well and truly ruined. This is via the new repair method. I washed it with a sponge!


View attachment 18987

That is deeply shocking Colinclared. I sincerely hope that VWCS take immediate action to ensure that this mess is put right and to offer you appropriate compensation. If you think it would be helpful for members of this forum to bombard VW about your appalling experience, please say so.

 

[pjm-84]

Shocking.

No body shop would skimp on basic prep as it will only come back to them. To me that smacks of cost saving measures by VAG.

 

[Jabberwocky]

If anyone is interested this is what my main roof repair looks like after 2 months on a 2012 Cali. Done via Bristol Heritage. It's well and truly ruined. This is via the new repair method. I washed it with a sponge!


View attachment 18987

Shame on Bristol Heritage or their contractor, shame!!

 

[Colinclared]

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I was already in discussion with VWCS about damage to the drivers seat so went straight to them rather than Heritage. Im fed up with making calls now. Am just waiting for their reply. so far VWCS have been ok/helpful- hopefully I haven't spoken too soon!

Looking at the work with some knowledge of paint it is down to poor prep of the worst kind and possibly a smart type repair in damp/cold conditions. It's worse than a rookie mistake! The blistering however appears to be corrosion related, potentially due to the poor paint application. It seems no self etching primer / sealer has been used where the base metal was exposed as part of removing the corrosion; it's just an overspray with colour and lacquer. Also the black mastic on the front panel has started to come away from the roof so water is getting under it- it's very hard to see except on a wet day when water bubbles can be squeezed out by applying a light pressure down on the roof panel.

I put it up there so it reminds people to check the repairs after a few months. The repairs elsewhere under the seal have also all failed.

Let's see how it is resolved!!

Colin

 

[snowy55]

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I was already in discussion with VWCS about damage to the drivers seat so went straight to them rather than Heritage. Im fed up with making calls now. Am just waiting for their reply. so far VWCS have been ok/helpful- hopefully I haven't spoken too soon!

Looking at the work with some knowledge of paint it is down to poor prep of the worst kind and possibly a smart type repair in damp/cold conditions. It's worse than a rookie mistake! The blistering however appears to be corrosion related, potentially due to the poor paint application. It seems no self etching primer / sealer has been used where the base metal was exposed as part of removing the corrosion; it's just an overspray with colour and lacquer. Also the black mastic on the front panel has started to come away from the roof so water is getting under it- it's very hard to see except on a wet day when water bubbles can be squeezed out by applying a light pressure down on the roof panel.

I put it up there so it reminds people to check the repairs after a few months. The repairs elsewhere under the seal have also all failed.

Let's see how it is resolved!!

Colin

Looks a right mess.
Did you have the new type plastic cap repair done on the fixed section of the roof done at the same time?

 

[Patrick T]

Am sure this has been covered somewhere so if someone can direct me I'd be greatful. Having now been registered for more than a few years awaiting repair, I last week rang the dealer/ bodyshop who was initially going to be dealing with the repair to be told that the process had changed. He mentioned that it had been discussed on the forum which I must have missed. I am quite surprised that main dealers and respected bodyshops rely on independent forums to get such a message out to customers and wonder if anyone was notified of the change or just left to find out ???

 

[Martin]

Am sure this has been covered somewhere so if someone can direct me I'd be greatful. Having now been registered for more than a few years awaiting repair, I last week rang the dealer/ bodyshop who was initially going to be dealing with the repair to be told that the process had changed. He mentioned that it had been discussed on the forum which I must have missed. I am quite surprised that main dealers and respected bodyshops rely on independent forums to get such a message out to customers and wonder if anyone was notified of the change or just left to find out ???

It is in here somewhere! However it was a bit hit and miss as some people received phone calls from the dealer but many were just cancelled without being notified.

Basically if you were registered for the original repair, your allocation was cancelled as soon as the new repair was announced, you then have to go and be reaccessed by the dealer again and start from scratch.

 

[Colinclared]

Yes I did. It was ok, but looking closely and from experience it's a job done to a likely agreed but limited time/cost which meant in my case the van was left in a poor state inside, including broken trim, seat squab, metal shards, poprivet ends and dirty marks all over the front cab. With the exception of the broken seat, I just couldn't be bothered to complain. Now however, it's different!

Also the front panel mastic is already failing.

Guess I'm either unlucky or people need to keep an eye on the work done.

Out of interest, is the front panel now plastic/grp? It's appears new and is a slightly different shape.

 

[Colinclared]

That is deeply shocking Colinclared. I sincerely hope that VWCS take immediate action to ensure that this mess is put right and to offer you appropriate compensation. If you think it would be helpful for members of this forum to bombard VW about your appalling experience, please say so.

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to give VWCS until Friday to come up with a basic plan of action, which we will need to agree. If not then it's likely to be a trip to court if we cannot agree. Most likely small claims; I just need to find the right litigator from one of the Chambers I work with.

What is sad, is my neighbour bought a good quality new van conversion at the same time and has had no issues. Will make me think twice next time!

 

[Colinclared]

has VW seen this what a poor workmanship and what have Bristol Heritage said, gutted for you,is that under or above the seal

It's both under and above. The seal is in its normal position on the photo.

 

[snowy55]

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to give VWCS until Friday to come up with a basic plan of action, which we will need to agree. If not then it's likely to be a trip to court if we cannot agree. Most likely small claims; I just need to find the right litigator from one of the Chambers I work with.

What is sad, is my neighbour bought a good quality new van conversion at the same time and has had no issues. Will make me think twice next time!

Have you read the T6 corrosion thread I started?
Our 2014 T5 had two repairs on the lifting section of the roof and they both failed.
VWCS will make all the right sort of noises but dealing with them is like running through treacle.
VWCS will blame the body shop in the first instance but do you really want them to work on your Cali again?
Keep us up to date with any developments please.

 

[Colinclared]

Incompetence on the part of Bristol Heritage. This has to be notified to VW to have them removed from repair contracts. Especially as that outlet is responsible for any future warranty on the repairs.

Just want to be clear, the van went to Heritage, but the repair was done elsewhere. They won't say where though. Roof repairs are done at a limited number of approved body shops. I only know mine went somewhere in the south east.

If I have a problem with Heritage, it's the hammer I found on the roof after driving 20 miles on the motorway after service once!! Not dangerous at all!