2006 A3 Exterior Rust

[TBomb]

I didn't talk to the rep. I left the car at the dealer for the day. The paperwork says that the claim was denied "due to outside influence." I asked the service advisor what that meant, and he said that the rep felt that it was rusting from the outside-in instead of from the inside-out.

They also highlighted the section of the corrosion warranty titled "Other Exclusions." This section excludes coverage for surface corrosion without perforation, corrosion resulting from failure to promptly repair surface corrosion, and corrosion resulting from unrepaired accident damage. I'm guessing they mean that I failed to promptly repair the rust. However, this just appeared over the last few months. If you were to strictly interpret this section of the warranty, there would never be acceptable claim if it arose from surface rust. They could always claim that you should have repaired it before it perforated.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure that there is perforation, but the service department felt that if there wasn't, it was pretty close. Also, I did not look behind the fender liner to see if there was rust inside the panel. So, they could be right. There might not be perforation. If there is perforation (or if it is close enough), they could argue that it is caused by surface corrosion that I should be responsible for repairing. In the end, I'm not sure what the corrosion warranty is *supposed* to cover.

Whether it is right or not, it just bums me out. After 6 new VW/Audi purchases, I used to feel brand loyal. Now, I'm not so sure. It just doesn't feel right.

Todd

Write a letter to AoA telling them what you just told us. It's really lame of them to deny coverage for something of that magnitude.

[rick89]

I had rust warranty done on my car. My fenders had rust bubbles and they were way smaller then yours, but it was covered. In total i had both my front fenders replaced due to rust. If I were you I would go to another dealership because every Audi dealer is different and emphasize that it is bubbling to them. If its bubbling like that it should be covered. Plus once you get that spot repaired by another shop your 12 year rust warranty is void on that area of your car.

[tulliotk]

I had rust warranty done on my car. My fenders had rust bubbles and they were way smaller then yours, but it was covered. In total i had both my front fenders replaced due to rust. If I were you I would go to another dealership because every Audi dealer is different and emphasize that it is bubbling to them. If its bubbling like that it should be covered. Plus once you get that spot repaired by another shop your 12 year rust warranty is void on that area of your car.

Actually, I think that the dealer was on my side. It was the Audi area rep who disagreed.

Todd

[dmorrow]

I had rust warranty done on my car. My fenders had rust bubbles and they were way smaller then yours, but it was covered. In total i had both my front fenders replaced due to rust. If I were you I would go to another dealership because every Audi dealer is different and emphasize that it is bubbling to them. If its bubbling like that it should be covered. Plus once you get that spot repaired by another shop your 12 year rust warranty is void on that area of your car.

If the area rep was involved and looked at it, I would think he would be involved at the next dealership also. Once the area rep has to be involved it seems pointless to go to other dealerships.

I would expect that bubbling paint would be a good indication that it is rusting from the inside out.

[krazyboi]

Write a letter to AoA telling them what you just told us. It's really lame of them to deny coverage for something of that magnitude.

This

[rick89]

I guess it's different because I never had an area rep check mine all my dealer did was take pics send to Audi Canada and then 2 weeks later it got approved.

[aspw]

ugh, i would not go quietly into the night. did the rep give his reasons for denying the warranty?

[dmorrow]

I didn't talk to the rep. I left the car at the dealer for the day. The paperwork says that the claim was denied "due to outside influence." I asked the service advisor what that meant, and he said that the rep felt that it was rusting from the outside-in instead of from the inside-out.

They also highlighted the section of the corrosion warranty titled "Other Exclusions." This section excludes coverage for surface corrosion without perforation, corrosion resulting from failure to promptly repair surface corrosion, and corrosion resulting from unrepaired accident damage. I'm guessing they mean that I failed to promptly repair the rust. However, this just appeared over the last few months. If you were to strictly interpret this section of the warranty, there would never be acceptable claim if it arose from surface rust. They could always claim that you should have repaired it before it perforated.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure that there is perforation, but the service department felt that if there wasn't, it was pretty close. Also, I did not look behind the fender liner to see if there was rust inside the panel. So, they could be right. There might not be perforation. If there is perforation (or if it is close enough), they could argue that it is caused by surface corrosion that I should be responsible for repairing. In the end, I'm not sure what the corrosion warranty is *supposed* to cover.

Whether it is right or not, it just bums me out. After 6 new VW/Audi purchases, I used to feel brand loyal. Now, I'm not so sure. It just doesn't feel right.

Todd

ugh, i would not go quietly into the night. did the rep give his reasons for denying the warranty?

What would you do?