47 replies to this topic

[Strugs]

I asked for the reasons why Vauxhall weren't going to sort out my bubbling issue in writing.. Here are some key excerpts of the letter I've received in reply (from a customer care manager)..

"I can confirm that any vehicle's paintwork is covered for 12 months from the date of first registration. I can also confirm, that a vehicle's anti-perforation warranty, which lasts for 6 years, only applies to the metal bodywork of the vehicle.."

"..your vehicle was inspected.. ..and it was established that the areas of paintwork that have 'bubbled' are on the non-metal areas of the vehicle, therefore, can not be affected by corrosion. This means that the areas of paintwork you wish to be rectified are not covered under the terms of the anti-perforation warranty. As you have purchased a vehicle which is over 3 years out of it's paintwork warranty, we are not obilged to offer any assistance with the repair costs of your vehicle.."

So.. please, please, please..

As anyone got anything in writing from Vauxhall accepting that the bubbling on their vehicle is (or was) covered by the anti-perforation warranty? There would definitely be a pint in it for you..

[theotherjonnymac]

This sounds like nonsense. I had both clams replaced where they were bubbling I suspect the issue is now becoming so common that they are either running out of clams or cannot stomach the warranty claims.

[T5SOR]

I am waiting on a reply from Vauxhall regarding my bodywork. Hope I can help! Corrosion occurs due to environmental factors which effect the materials properties. The gel-coat is also more suspetable to corrosion than paint. To quote a boat hull manufacture "The process of osmosis in GRP is however very slow, unless the moulding is appallingly badly made, and no matter how long it remains in water a typical GRP laminate cannot absorb more than about 2-3% of it’s own weight of water. Surveyors and boatyards (and some brokers) put moisture meters on yachts hulls to check the moisture content, on the basis, often but not always correct, that high moisture levels in the GRP are a precursor to the development of blisters." Blistering in fibre glass is very common and as you can see is due to osmosis. If anyone has an old clam laying around with bubbles I can take a sample and confirm the corrosion with EDAX (Energy Dispersive Analytical Xray) at work. Mike

[jonnyboy]

Surely the fact that umpteen other VXs have been back to hethel is proof enough that its covered? Maybe bypass the dealers and go to Vauxhall uk?

[robfenn]

That's what i'd do. Otherwise, there should be a list of people who have had the work done with an associated dealership. Then you could take it a 'friendly' dealer...

[cheeky_chops]

Sale of Goods Act rights against the retailer are stronger than those contained in a manufacturer's guarantee and last for up to six years from the date of purchase.

http://www.guardian....s.howtocomplain

[techieboy]

Time to file the UK equivalent of a "Class Action" suit against Vauxhall maybe?

[LY_Scott]

Watchdog? Picket lines at Luton or similar, don't laugh, im serious

[Strugs]

I am waiting on a reply from Vauxhall regarding my bodywork.

Hope I can help!

Corrosion occurs due to environmental factors which effect the materials properties. The gel-coat is also more suspetable to corrosion than paint.

To quote a boat hull manufacture "The process of osmosis in GRP is however very slow, unless the moulding is appallingly badly made, and no matter how long it remains in water a typical GRP laminate cannot absorb more than about 2-3% of it’s own weight of water. Surveyors and boatyards (and some brokers) put moisture meters on yachts hulls to check the moisture content, on the basis, often but not always correct, that high moisture levels in the GRP are a precursor to the development of blisters."

Blistering in fibre glass is very common and as you can see is due to osmosis.

If anyone has an old clam laying around with bubbles I can take a sample and confirm the corrosion with EDAX (Energy Dispersive Analytical Xray) at work.


Mike

With regard to the corrosion - if Vauxhall are saying the anti-perf warranty only applies to metal, then this won't help? Or are you saying you could potentially prove faulty manufacture?

[Strugs]

Surely the fact that umpteen other VXs have been back to hethel is proof enough that its covered?

Maybe bypass the dealers and go to Vauxhall uk?

How do you mean Vauxhall UK? The reply I had was from the Customer Service Centre?

[Strugs]

Watchdog? Picket lines at Luton or similar,

don't laugh,

im serious

It's crossed my mind!!

[Guy182]

they're trying to save themselves money., first lot of cars went to the luton ? had front and rear clams replaced, interiors replaced, door cards, doors , lights, etc.. more then started going wrong, obv the above was costing alot so they decided to start just replacing the clams at shitty bodyshops. now theyre all starting to blister, vauxhall can see its going to cost an absolute fortune. so they trying to wriggle out of it i havent had any bubbling yet, but theres plenty enough of you to get something going.. why not seriously try contacting watchdog? thyve had the renault clios bonnet problem on there about 18 times.. lol

[Pete0810]

I will try and get a copy of the warranty form the bodyshop sent off to Vauxhall a few months back to apply for mine rear clam to be repaired under warranty, which was approved. Car's having paintwork done so may get a copy early next week for you. My car's an '01 Y plate and it was it's original rear clam that bubbled and Vxhl agreed to replace without argument. Will that help? I suppose it'll show previous on their part if nothing else.

[Strugs]

I will try and get a copy of the warranty form the bodyshop sent off to Vauxhall a few months back to apply for mine rear clam to be repaired under warranty, which was approved. Car's having paintwork done so may get a copy early next week for you. My car's an '01 Y plate and it was it's original rear clam that bubbled and Vxhl agreed to replace without argument. Will that help? I suppose it'll show previous on their part if nothing else.

That would be absolutely superb. If you PM me your address I'll send you a stamped-addressed envelope and will buy you a beer if I'm ever in S Wales!!

[N22HOP]

This is taken from their website!

LINK

Anti-Perforation Warranty
Vauxhall guarantees new vehicles against perforation by corrosion of the bodywork and underbody, where it occurs as a result of defective materials or workmanship.

The warranty applies for six years from the date of first registration except:
VX220 which has a 10 year anti-perforation warranty on the chassis.

Vauxhall offers an annual corrosion protection service which should be carried out regularly to maintain the validity of the warranty.

For full details of Vauxhall warranties including terms, conditions and exclusions, please refer to the Service Booklet with your Vauxhall.


It CLEARLY States Bodywork and as a result of defective materials (not just metal)

and he obviously doesn't know what hes talking about as the chassis (metal bits) is covered for 10years

[Strugs]

This is taken from their website!

LINK

Anti-Perforation Warranty
Vauxhall guarantees new vehicles against perforation by corrosion of the bodywork and underbody, where it occurs as a result of defective materials or workmanship.

The warranty applies for six years from the date of first registration except:
VX220 which has a 10 year anti-perforation warranty on the chassis.

Vauxhall offers an annual corrosion protection service which should be carried out regularly to maintain the validity of the warranty.

For full details of Vauxhall warranties including terms, conditions and exclusions, please refer to the Service Booklet with your Vauxhall.


It CLEARLY States Bodywork and as a result of defective materials (not just metal)

and he obviously doesn't know what hes talking about as the chassis (metal bits) is covered for 10years

I assume, though, that Vauxhall could argue the toss about 'perforation' (i.e there is no 'hole') and corrosion (i.e. it's not rust)..? I think I need to focus on the faulty part aspect perhaps?

[johnnyS]

Until 3 weeks ago I had a 53 plate NA I bought it as Network Q car when it was 2.5 years old. It lived out on the street in Cumbria (brrr) I noticed the paint bubbling (the first winter) on the rear clam and just below the rear driver side light. VXL dealer in Blackpool were great they'd had a few in before and okayed the warranty work on photo evidence only. A week without the car and it was all replaced and looked great afterwards. Less than two years later and it was back just, this time on the rear clam only in the bottom right corner next to the light cluster. The first time it went in for the repairs the bodywork guy (who had worked at the TVR factory in Blackpool) tod me the problem was down to moisture trapped in the fibreglass during manufacture which then froze and expanded during winter hence bubbling the paint. I'd been thinking of replacing the VX and this was the final straw I didn;t fancy my chances of another clam and another and another over the ensuing years so it was PX'd for a Z4 coupe I suspect VXL are just trying to cut their very large losses on the VX now as there are so many suffering from this...they'll only get tougher on it...Watchdog looks sensible...+ you might get to see Julia Bradbury getting in and out of a VX with a short skirt on

[smithers]

Until 3 weeks ago I had a 53 plate NA I bought it as Network Q car when it was 2.5 years old. It lived out on the street in Cumbria (brrr) I noticed the paint bubbling (the first winter) on the rear clam and just below the rear driver side light. VXL dealer in Blackpool were great they'd had a few in before and okayed the warranty work on photo evidence only. A week without the car and it was all replaced and looked great afterwards. Less than two years later and it was back just, this time on the rear clam only in the bottom right corner next to the light cluster. The first time it went in for the repairs the bodywork guy (who had worked at the TVR factory in Blackpool) tod me the problem was down to moisture trapped in the fibreglass during manufacture which then froze and expanded during winter hence bubbling the paint. I'd been thinking of replacing the VX and this was the final straw I didn;t fancy my chances of another clam and another and another over the ensuing years so it was PX'd for a Z4 coupe I suspect VXL are just trying to cut their very large losses on the VX now as there are so many suffering from this...they'll only get tougher on it...Watchdog looks sensible...+ you might get to see Julia Bradbury getting in and out of a VX with a short skirt on

mmmmm julia bradbury.....

[Strugs]

Folks, This is the crux of my reply that I've finally had the energy to write to Head Office. Any thougts/comments before I send it? "1) Please confirm my understanding that the wording describing the anti-perforation warranty on the Vauxhall website does not refer to corrosion in metal; 2) Please confirm Vauxhall’s awareness of the fact that the bubbling (or blistering) of the paintwork is as a result of water being present in the fibreglass bodywork being drawn out of the bodywork into the paintwork; 3) Please confirm that Vauxhall are aware that many VX220s have suffered this problem, for which the only rectification is to have the fibreglass bodywork (or ‘clams’) replaced. 4) Please confirm that Vauxhall have undertaken this rectification (i.e. replaced the clams), whether under the anti-perforation warranty or not, on many VX220s in recent years – and are continuing to do so – at no cost to the owners." Thanks..

[techieboy]

Folks,

This is the crux of my reply that I've finally had the energy to write to Head Office. Any thougts/comments before I send it?

"1) Please confirm my understanding that the wording describing the anti-perforation warranty on the Vauxhall website does not refer to corrosion in metal;

2) Please confirm Vauxhall’s awareness of the fact that the bubbling (or blistering) of the paintwork is as a result of water being present in the fibreglass bodywork being drawn out of the bodywork into the paintwork and is therefore, clearly a manufacturing defect that by your own definition you provide warranty cover for;

3) Please confirm that Vauxhall are aware that many VX220s have suffered this problem, for which the only rectification is to have the fibreglass bodywork (or ‘clams’) replaced.

4) Please confirm that Vauxhall have undertaken this rectification (i.e. replaced the clams), whether under the anti-perforation warranty or not, on many VX220s in recent years – and are continuing to do so – at no cost to the owners."


Thanks..