My March 2014 California has the inevitable elevating roof corrosion issue below the seal.
VW have booked my vehicle in for repair in October this year, after many letters and emails VW have agreed:
- A new seal will be fitted as there are rust marks on the roof from the existing seal, a common feature.
- My T5 has the 3 year extended goodwill paint warranty on the roof, total 6 years.
- The repair will have a 3 year defect warranty period, granted by the repairer, however any repair would be managed by VW.
Given that the same seal / roof / paint / water immersion configuration that causes the corrosion issue in the first place will be reinstated after the paint repair the corrosion issue is going to return without question.
I have been pressing VW to include the addition of the transparent barrier tape after the paint repair and before fitting the new seal, as implemented on the T6 range during production since the end of last year, this in my opinion would go some way prevent re occurrence of the problem, and further repairs in 12 - 24 months time, this was their response:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me on 12 June regarding the use of the plastic tape barrier on the Volkswagen T6 California roofs compared to the authorised repair for the T5 California roofs.
I can confirm Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK have liaised with our colleagues at factory and they have confirmed the following. The seal which is applied to the T5 California roof operates in the same way as the tape on the T6 California roof, there is no difference in functionality between the seal and the tape.
As a result, Volkswagen Commercials Vehicles repair procedures will continue to use the seal on the T5 California across the UK, as per factory guidance. Whilst I understand your disappointment with this response, I am unable to offer you a differing one.
Once again, thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention and for allowing me the opportunity to respond.
The response made no sense to me (if anyone else understands it please let me know) so I emailed them yet again, they told me verbally today the response would not be changed.
I told VW that I would consider fitting the tape myself if they could give me details of the tape or a part number, they could not provide this and suggested I contact my dealer who would have access to the T6 parts list.
And so it goes on.
On the up side I am still enjoying my California!