Claim against Audi's 12 year anti Corrosion warranty
Discussion
Hi all,
The bonnet on my 2006 RS4 has started to show signs of corrosion on the leading edge, there is a stone chip in the immediate vicinity but thought I'd take it to Audi to confirm either way. (In my own opinion it's not close enough and the paint hasn't lifted around it which would suggest it wasn't a point where water has entered)
John the body shop manager at Cardiff Audi took a look and he agreed with my assessment and measured the paint to ensure it hadn't been painted. That came back ok so explained the final decision wasn't his to make and he'd submit the claim to audi UK.
Audi have since come back to him and denied the claim stating external factors have caused the corrosion. I've contacted Audi UK via social media asking them to clarify the report and initially they were quite responsive but have since gone completely dark on me not before stating their decision was final and they've asked Cardiff Audi to call me with a view to that particular dealership taking it on the chin and paying for the repair themselves. I've never bought anything from them so I doubt they'd even entertain it and they haven't called me anyways.
What would you do next? Small claims court enough to force Audis hand and stop ignoring me? If so what would be the steps I'd need to take?
The bonnet on my 2006 RS4 has started to show signs of corrosion on the leading edge, there is a stone chip in the immediate vicinity but thought I'd take it to Audi to confirm either way. (In my own opinion it's not close enough and the paint hasn't lifted around it which would suggest it wasn't a point where water has entered)
John the body shop manager at Cardiff Audi took a look and he agreed with my assessment and measured the paint to ensure it hadn't been painted. That came back ok so explained the final decision wasn't his to make and he'd submit the claim to audi UK.
Audi have since come back to him and denied the claim stating external factors have caused the corrosion. I've contacted Audi UK via social media asking them to clarify the report and initially they were quite responsive but have since gone completely dark on me not before stating their decision was final and they've asked Cardiff Audi to call me with a view to that particular dealership taking it on the chin and paying for the repair themselves. I've never bought anything from them so I doubt they'd even entertain it and they haven't called me anyways.
What would you do next? Small claims court enough to force Audis hand and stop ignoring me? If so what would be the steps I'd need to take?
Not familiar with Audi but Vx used to have a requirement for a paintwork inspection to be carried out annually to validate the corrosion warranty. After block exemption, when it could no longer counted as part of a routine service, it became foc and a stand alone process. Most people who serviced out with the network never bothered to have it completed and Vx were very prompt in denying claims where the inspection record was incomplete.
From your pics I doubt it will be paid based on the franchises I have experience of. Peugeot have A great get out called "betterment" a clause that absolves them of claims where the payment of a claim would put you in a better position I.e. Other repairs would be carried out by the payment of a warranty claim. This is most common on wheel corrosion claims where kerbing damage on a wheel, not even in the vicinity of a clear corrosion issue, would also be fixed.
Must be in your favour that the dealer agrees with you but in general we won't complete corrosion work unless the manufacturer has pre authorised it as the alternative is us getting the claim bounced after the work is done.
From your pics I doubt it will be paid based on the franchises I have experience of. Peugeot have A great get out called "betterment" a clause that absolves them of claims where the payment of a claim would put you in a better position I.e. Other repairs would be carried out by the payment of a warranty claim. This is most common on wheel corrosion claims where kerbing damage on a wheel, not even in the vicinity of a clear corrosion issue, would also be fixed.
Must be in your favour that the dealer agrees with you but in general we won't complete corrosion work unless the manufacturer has pre authorised it as the alternative is us getting the claim bounced after the work is done.
Alucidnation said:
Try calling Audi UK rather than using 'social media'.
I just don't understand why people do this.
Most of the time, they really don't care about it.
Thanks for your reply, I used social media as it seems to carry more weight than a telephone call these days and that along with the fact I don't want to spend hours on the phone when potentially a 30second post can have the same effect. I just don't understand why people do this.
Most of the time, they really don't care about it.
David-mthtml said:
The bonnet on my 2006 RS4 has started to show signs of corrosion on the leading edge, there is a stone chip in the immediate vicinity but thought I'd take it to Audi to confirm either way. (In my own opinion it's not close enough and the paint hasn't lifted around it which would suggest it wasn't a point where water has entered)
Audi have since come back to him and denied the claim stating external factors have caused the corrosion.
Did you buy the RS4 from an Audi dealer? If not then I'd say take it on the chin and put your hand in your own pocket for the repair. If it bothers you that much your best bet is going back to the supplier and going down the goodwill route.
What is it like under the bonnet?
I would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
I had corrosion in the roof channels of my S4 and got a 70% goodwill contribution but as part of the paint warranty even though the car was over 10 years old and not under the corrosion warranty. If rust came through in the middle of an undamaged panel that would be covered by the corrosion warranty, anything that starts at a panel edge is very unlikely to be covered.
As a side note, on a previous S4 bought from Cardiff Audi, it needed paint (nogaro blue) but the prep was very poor and you could see all the sanding marks under the paint. Whoever sprayed it did a very good job but it was ruined due to bad prep.
I would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
I had corrosion in the roof channels of my S4 and got a 70% goodwill contribution but as part of the paint warranty even though the car was over 10 years old and not under the corrosion warranty. If rust came through in the middle of an undamaged panel that would be covered by the corrosion warranty, anything that starts at a panel edge is very unlikely to be covered.
As a side note, on a previous S4 bought from Cardiff Audi, it needed paint (nogaro blue) but the prep was very poor and you could see all the sanding marks under the paint. Whoever sprayed it did a very good job but it was ruined due to bad prep.
gottans said:
What is it like under the bonnet?
I would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
I had corrosion in the roof channels of my S4 and got a 70% goodwill contribution but as part of the paint warranty even though the car was over 10 years old and not under the corrosion warranty. If rust came through in the middle of an undamaged panel that would be covered by the corrosion warranty, anything that starts at a panel edge is very unlikely to be covered.
As a side note, on a previous S4 bought from Cardiff Audi, it needed paint (nogaro blue) but the prep was very poor and you could see all the sanding marks under the paint. Whoever sprayed it did a very good job but it was ruined due to bad prep.
It's actually fine underneath the bonnet but there is a folded lip which is where I'd expect it to of started. People have mentioned the stone chip, surely if the corrosion started there the bubbling would surround the chip itself and work its way out from there? That's not the case hereI would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
I had corrosion in the roof channels of my S4 and got a 70% goodwill contribution but as part of the paint warranty even though the car was over 10 years old and not under the corrosion warranty. If rust came through in the middle of an undamaged panel that would be covered by the corrosion warranty, anything that starts at a panel edge is very unlikely to be covered.
As a side note, on a previous S4 bought from Cardiff Audi, it needed paint (nogaro blue) but the prep was very poor and you could see all the sanding marks under the paint. Whoever sprayed it did a very good job but it was ruined due to bad prep.
Which warranty is being claimed under, the 3 year paint & bodywork warranty or the 12 year anti-perforation warranty?
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
gottans said:
What is it like under the bonnet?
I would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
I would be more inclined to think that has probably started under the bonnet and worked itself from there. I expect the width of corrosion hidden under the bonnet to be much wider than that visible on the front of the bonnet.
The fact a stone chip is present close by provides an easy cause/effect assessment and get out.
100% agree with this. It's pretty obviously not started by the stone chip, but it does provide the perfect get out clause for an invariably useless corrosion warranty.If it was started by the stone chip you would see paint lifting around the stone chip itself, which you don't. It's quite clearly started from under the lip of the bonnet and spread upwards, this is quite a common corrosion pattern on the leading edge of bonnets where the seam provides a perfect water trap and poor paint coverage.
Riley Blue said:
Which warranty is being claimed under, the 3 year paint & bodywork warranty or the 12 year anti-perforation warranty?
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
The car is eleven and a half years old so the anti perforation warranty. I'd argue it's on the leading edge so not the easiest to spot. https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
Mr2Mike said:
100% agree with this. It's pretty obviously not started by the stone chip, but it does provide the perfect get out clause for an invariably useless corrosion warranty.If it was started by the stone chip you would see paint lifting around the stone chip itself, which you don't. It's quite clearly started from under the lip of the bonnet and spread upwards, this is quite a common corrosion pattern on the leading edge of bonnets where the seam provides a perfect water trap and poor paint coverage.
David-mthtml said:
Riley Blue said:
Which warranty is being claimed under, the 3 year paint & bodywork warranty or the 12 year anti-perforation warranty?
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
The car is eleven and a half years old so the anti perforation warranty. I'd argue it's on the leading edge so not the easiest to spot. https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/audi-insurance-...
In both cases damage should be reported as soon as it's discovered within the warranty period but the rust bubbles in the photo appear to have spread over a period of time, giving grounds for rejection.
"This warranty protects against perforation due to rust penetration from within the internal cavities of the vehicle to an external surface for 12 years from the date of first registration."
By your own admission it's 'actually fine underneath the bonnet' but also that 'there is a folded lip which is where I'd expect it to of (sic) started.' That, however, is not evidence of it having started there - evidence is what you need.
David-mthtml said:
It's actually fine underneath the bonnet but there is a folded lip which is where I'd expect it to of started. People have mentioned the stone chip, surely if the corrosion started there the bubbling would surround the chip itself and work its way out from there? That's not the case here
Surely gravity would mean any water, even tiny amounts would seep to the lowest point before beginning to corrode the metalNickyboy said:
Surely gravity would mean any water, even tiny amounts would seep to the lowest point before beginning to corrode the metal
Surely corrosion would have to lift the paint bit by bit if it entered via the chip? It's not like there's an gap between the paint and the metal allowing the water to run to the lowest point? Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff