Anti-Perforation Warranty

[nokiauk]

Washed my Leon today and noticed this almost splitting of the paint/seam at the bottom of the front of the rear wheel arches.

Now car is only 3 years/4 months old and I've never encountered this issue on any previous cars I've owned. Car is detailed regularly by myself so can't put this down to neglect etc.

The drivers side is worse than passenger.

Think its a dealer job for inspection?

Thanks

Driver Side:



Passenger Side:

 

[SRGTD]

It does look like the paint has split and lifted, especially the area on the offside wheelarch edge.

If this is due to a defect in the paint, then unfortunately, the paintwork warranty is 3 years from date of registration. The anti-perforation warranty is 12 years, but provides cover against rusting through from the inside out, so doesn't cover surface rusting / damage by external influences such as damage to paint caused by stones or other debris.

You've nothing to lose by raising it with your dealer. However, don't be surprised if they say it's not covered under the warranty. If this is the approach they take, I think I'd buy some touch up paint and repair it myself. Because of where it is (on a the wheelarch edge that has a dimpled surface because of the stone chip coating under the paint), a careful DIY repair will be pretty much invisible.

 

[nokiauk]

Thanks will call dealer tomorrow and send pics then visit if required.

Guess I'll need to apply some anti-rust treatment given where the area is and then touch up if dealer brings no-joy

Pretty disappointing though for car no long gone 3 years old.

 

[niggle]

Do you see brown rust stains on the white paint? If not then it is probably just the rubber stone chip coating that is peeling off. The e-coat should be still protecting the steel.

 

[nokiauk]

Thanks, no stains obvious now but was washed and then once I noticed the damage cleaned up area with Tardis as originally thought was tar spots.

Hopefully it's not rust and if dealer says no I'll touch it up and see how it goes.

 

[Mr Pig]

How did you get on with the dealer?

 

[nokiauk]

Been referred to their bodyshop, taking a trip tomorrow so will provide an update then.

 

[Mr Pig]

I have to say, it just doesn't look right. I'm going to see what mine look like tomorrow.

 

[nokiauk]

Well that was a waste of time, guy at body shop said he couldn't see anything, said paint wasn't flaking as he rubbed it with his nail and couldn't get as detailed a pic as I got with his out off a cracker camera. So basically no pic meant nothing could be sent to Seat as a warranty claim. Apparently they can't send my photos either

Said they would keep my notes of file for if/when it gets worse.

Guess I'll be touching up and fixing myself, only planning on keeping the car for another year or do anyway.

 

[Jarre]

If you plan on keeping it for another year I'm sure it'll be fine. Leave it for as long as you can.

Not entirely sure why you got sent to the body shop, with VW they have their own guys that assess the paint and put the case together to send to VW. At my local it's one guy that covers 3 dealers and I had to wait 2 months to see them about my golf!


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[Jarre]

Also to add, I don't think the extent of the problem has got far enough that they'd do anything about it yet anyway


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[dw911]

Personally I'd be straight back to the dealer, shouldn't be that like that on a car of its age, unless it's been accident damaged and badly repaired, rough rule of thumb when buying a classic car is, if you see bubbling like that on the paint surface, it's going to be 5 times worst underneath.
It almost looks so bad as to warrant cutting out that edge section and tiging in new metal

Just my opinion of course

 

[niggle]

I suspect that the "bubbling" in the pictures is just the normal texture of the rubberised anti stone chip coating under the paint.

 

[Mr Pig]

I finally remembered to have a look at my car. Mine doesn't look like that. The paint is smooth, no lumps or cracks.

 

[nokiauk]

Thats good then, I just cleaned my up, treated with anti rust treatment and then touched up, hopefully it stays as it is and doesn't get worse.

 

[Mr Pig]

Thats good then, I just cleaned my up, treated with anti rust treatment and then touched up, hopefully it stays as it is and doesn't get worse.

No way it should be like that on car of that age. Every car I've seen that showed signs of rust early on ended up a mess. Once rust gets started it's almost impossible to stop.

 

[nokiauk]

I know it's been a while but thought I'd post an update. As stated back in October I touched up the cracked areas, following treament with anti-rust solution. I wash car and check regularly and seemed ok through the winter and salty roads etc. until yesterday that is.

Washed car as normal has been a bit longer than between washes than I'd like, only gently wiped the affected areas to remove dirt and was left with 2 brown/red areas where the cracking occurred and staining as well, all I could do was thoroughly clean and treat the areas again, and re-apply touch up.

Still gutted this is happening due to what I can only presume is a manufacturing defect, probably less noticeable on a non white car. Dilemma now is what to do?

1. Get rid now, sooner than I'd like was planning Feb next year not May/June this year
2. Leave as is hope it doesn't get significantly worse, and keep till next year as planned
3. Bite the bullet on a bodyshop repair, this is my least favoured option given the potential cost and if they discover it's worse once the arch trim etc. is removed.

I am interested in another Leon but am wary after this has happened.

 

[AndrewJB]

I would be taking it to another dealer and asking them to look at it.

 

[nokiauk]

If it's not got rid by the time I see any more/worse rust then I may consider it, unfortunately my preferred other local dealer has recently closed and I won't give the other dealer my time as they are renowned got bring crap.

 

[Mr Pig]

Once rust starts, it does not go away. It would have to be cut back to clean metal to get rid of it.

No way this should be happening on a car this age.