VW California T5 ONLY Roof Corrosion - General Discussion

[Jabberwocky]

I look forward to a positive and glowing report. (if we don't start in a positive tone........)

 

[T6 CFO]

Our 2010 Cali SE is heading into Heritage Bristol on Friday for an estimated 2 weeks for front panel botch job and elevating section repaint.

WE are getting a courtesy Ocean and a "free gift" for waiting over 3 years for the repair which is a bonus.

Will update when we get it back.

Andrew.

Fingers crossed for a good job.

Mike

 

[PRANDLES]

I have it in writing from my dealer and VWCS that the goodwill warranty extension for roof corrosion does not apply to the T6. The standard 3 year warranty is all you get. They also state the two year warranty extension you can buy on a new van does not cover the paintwork. Feeling reassured that VW are taking their design fault seriously?

23March2017 - I have just spoken to VWCV regarding my (2nd) roof repair - scheduled for May in Glasgow. I have requested that they cover my fuel costs and loan vehicle insurance excess while the 'repair' is being undertaken.
My view is that as this is a warranty issue it should be FOC - we will see!
I asked why the 6 year warranty has not been applied to the T6 - as it is the same roof!
The reply was that VW are not aware of any problems with corrosion on the 'new' California and that any issues are dealt with on an individual basis. The denial continues.....
Don't be afraid to check your roof - carefully removing the rubber seal will not cause any damage.
I think this illustrates how important it is for T6 owners to regularly check for corrosion - only through customer pressure will VW be moved to apply the 6yr cover to the T6.

 

[Ajspicer]

I will be documenting all existing marks etc so I have a record should they make a mess of it.

Fingers crossed.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Finally took my Cali to my local van centre today after booking it in with them two weeks ago. They said they couldn't deal with the claim as it was bodywork.
So I drove to their body shop in Coventry, who then inform me they couldn't look at it, as it's a specialist case.
So get directed to another van centre the other side of Coventry who took pictures etc. They will now follow the claim through. But all the messing around took half a day and a 60 mile round trip...!!!

Apparently I now need to wait for Volkswagen to confirm weather or not it's a roof corrosion fault and if they will accept responsibility...???
Surely it's obvious with the bubbling paintwork

 

[soulstyledevon]

To top it off.
Driving home onto the M6 and the van started to get very windy inside. The A-holes hadn't closed and secured the roof properly and was being held on by the buckles.
I wasn't impressed...!!!

 

[Annik]

Devon to Coventry? That is one hell of a journey, i hope they cover your fuel costs

 

[soulstyledevon]

Devon to Coventry? That is one hell of a journey, i hope they cover your fuel costs

Haha.
No based in Kenilworth. But lived there briefly a while back

 

[Judyl]

A group of members is trying to get together to meet VW to discuss roof corrosion. Please could you PM me with your phone number so we can discuss your response from VW. Graham

Can you tell me how to pm you please. On a smart phone with slow 3g connection this week.

 

[Nick G]

Heard from Paul at a Trafford today. I've been referred to Swansway in Crewe. I think they are part of the extended service offer. Says he'll keep in touch. Impressed with support up to now. Hope it stays like that.

Hi Julie,
My 2012 DSG SE is due to go to Swansway in Crewe for the roof corrosion repair in June. Has yours been done yet? I'd be interested to know if they are up to the job considering reports on some body shops. I was originally booked into Twickenham (only a few miles from me in Surrey) but that was cancelled as the VW van centre said they were having 'problems'.

 

[IanE]

I think we've been waiting for over two years for the repair work to be done. Following my enquiry a month or two ago, I was informed that I could book it in in July. I said I would prefer to wait until a time of year when I'm less likely to want to camp in it, so I've agreed a date in November. I just thought people might not realise that booking at your convenience is possible - I didn't! The work is being done by Claridges in Southport.

 

[Ajspicer]

Our SE went to Heritage in Bristol today. The work is being carried out by SJ Curtis. The worrying thing is that our Cali the first one at this particular body shop.

I do have some confidence in them though as I have had work on other cars carried out by them in the past.

We have an Acapulco blue T6 ocean for 2 weeks now. Whilst it's really nice I don't think I will be falling out of love with our SE like I feared.

I will update in due course.

Andrew.

 

[Ajspicer]

I spoke too soon, I am definitely falling for the T6 Ocean! It's a lot quieter than our 180 SE.

 

[larrylamb]

I spoke too soon, I am definitely falling for the T6 Ocean! It's a lot quieter than our 180 SE.

But it still has potential roof problems!

 

[Nick G]

FYI. Just heard from my dealer (SMG Croydon) that the scheduled June roof repair at Swansway in Crewe will not be happening as Swansway have pulled out of these repairs. When I asked why they said it was 'difficulties in dealing with VW'. Thats the second one I was booked into that have pulled out (Twickenham last time). God knows where the van will end up.
If anyone has anything good to report about a 'chosen' bodyshop please let me know and I'll try to get in in there.

 

[snowy55]

FYI. Just heard from my dealer (SMG Croydon) that the scheduled June roof repair at Swansway in Crewe will not be happening as Swansway have pulled out of these repairs. When I asked why they said it was 'difficulties in dealing with VW'. Thats the second one I was booked into that have pulled out (Twickenham last time). God knows where the van will end up.
If anyone has anything good to report about a 'chosen' bodyshop please let me know and I'll try to get in in there.

This work is becoming a "poisoned chalice "

What will VW do when no bodyshops will touch the job?

 

[leightonjthomas]

View attachment 19464
Just got back from seeing Tony at Breeze in Portsmouth re
a) bubbles under seal on elevating roof (no photo attached, but the usual small bubbles starting to appear)
b) flaking paint just above front number plate (photo attached - I know this is off topic but I thought some people might be interested).
He was knowledgeable about the roof problems and took photos to send off to VW. I had only checked for bubbles under one corner of the seal at the front but, interestingly, he said that it probably wasn't a good idea for owners to remove, clean and replace the seal too often as this, in itself, might cause damage to the paintwork, possibly by grit rubbing against the edge of the roof. He was aware of our fears that the metal in the rubber seal is rusting and reacting with the aluminium.
He said that the bellows will probably be replaced, which is a shame as my current bellows are unmarked and I'm not sure about the apparently increased transparency of the new type. Still, if it has to be done I can accept that.
He said that I should hear back in 7-10 days. I'll keep you posted.

Tony finally rang back this morning after three unsuccessful attempts to contact him. He apologised for the delay and said that VW are snowed under with paint warranty issues, though not necessarily on Californias. He said that he should have news by early next week but that the roof corrosion and flaking paint, as per photo, would both be done at the same time in their own body shop in Bognor. I hope so as it's only a mile from my house!
Has anyone else suffered from flaking paint just above the front number plate or is this likely to be a one-off? (I realise that this should probably be on a separate thread?)

 

[Custardtart]

I hardly dared to check ..... but the paint above my front number plate is ok and I'm thrilled!

Funny how 4.5 years of VW Cali ownership has adjusted my expectations.

 

[Graham Goode]

FYI. Just heard from my dealer (SMG Croydon) that the scheduled June roof repair at Swansway in Crewe will not be happening as Swansway have pulled out of these repairs. When I asked why they said it was 'difficulties in dealing with VW'. Thats the second one I was booked into that have pulled out (Twickenham last time). God knows where the van will end up.
If anyone has anything good to report about a 'chosen' bodyshop please let me know and I'll try to get in in there.

I've recently got mine back from Claridge's in Southport and with no issues. The whole process went smoothly for me, but as it was reported by the previous owner a number of years ago I've only had to deal with VWCS and Claridge's. VWCS organised the dropping off and picking up of the loan vehicle to my house, and Claridge's organised the same for my California again from my house. All turned round in just over 2 weeks. The quality of the work seems better than some of the earlier photos in this thread, the new seal sits properly on the front and the new front panel sits uniformly and is neatly sealed.

I don't know if they've glued the new seal on but the old one was really easy to remove, I've given the new one a bit of a pull but it hasn't moved.

 

[JULIANLISMORE]

FYI. Just heard from my dealer (SMG Croydon) that the scheduled June roof repair at Swansway in Crewe will not be happening as Swansway have pulled out of these repairs. When I asked why they said it was 'difficulties in dealing with VW'. Thats the second one I was booked into that have pulled out (Twickenham last time). God knows where the van will end up.
If anyone has anything good to report about a 'chosen' bodyshop please let me know and I'll try to get in in there.

Well, that's very interesting (and worrying) Nick G! I took our Cali. to Specialist Cars in Kirkcaldy yesterday for transport by the AA to Swansway in Crewe for remedial work on both sections of the roof. I don't think that I've got much option but to let things take their course but I'll ring Swansway on Monday to check that they are actually going to do the work on mine.

 

[Ajspicer]

Heritage Bristol called this evening, as the phone was ringing I was preparing myself to say goodbye to our lovely loan T6 Cali, surprise surprise, ours will not be ready on the day they said, as the appointed body shop did not have the correct primer apparently!

Not to worry, we get to keep the T6 for a bit longer, happy days.

Now, where shall we go in it this coming weekend, just got back from a lovely trip to Sennen.

 

[Alan]

Heritage Bristol called this evening, as the phone was ringing I was preparing myself to say goodbye to our lovely loan T6 Cali, surprise surprise, ours will not be ready on the day they said, as the appointed body shop did not have the correct primer apparently!

Not to worry, we get to keep the T6 for a bit longer, happy days.

Now, where shall we go in it this coming weekend, just got back from a lovely trip to Sennen.

What must the neighbors think you driving around in a mint T6
.......seriously though could there be a T6 on the horizon now you have had a taster?

Alan

 

[Ajspicer]

Yes I would definitely like a T6, but as they are still so new we would probably have to wait for a 3 year old vehicle to come up for sale in a a year or two when prices are a little lower. We are not using our T5 for camping much lately, partner blames / puts it down to the baby.

Ideally we want to go electric at some point, so will be keeping an eye out for vws electric vehicles in a few years, hopefully there will be a E-Cali one day or just a van for conversion.

 

[Ajspicer]

What must the neighbors think you driving around in a mint T6
.......seriously though could there be a T6 on the horizon now you have had a taster?

Alan

Whilst it's a 2016 vehicle, it's far from mint, it's in a right state particularly on the inside. I cannot believe how some people must treat hire vehicles.

 

[snowy55]

Heritage Bristol called this evening, as the phone was ringing I was preparing myself to say goodbye to our lovely loan T6 Cali, surprise surprise, ours will not be ready on the day they said, as the appointed body shop did not have the correct primer apparently!

Not to worry, we get to keep the T6 for a bit longer, happy days.

Now, where shall we go in it this coming weekend, just got back from a lovely trip to Sennen.

You've been on a waiting list for months probably years and then they don't have correct primer!
How can this roof repair system be so useless?
VW are a total shambles.