Brake Pad/ Disc Corrosion

[forzahibs]

My 2 year old GTI is in for its first service today and have just been told that the brake pads/ discs are badly corroded. Also being told that VW will not cover this under warranty. The reason for the corrosion is being blamed on the inactivity of the car; less than 11500 miles covered. I find it astonishing that the longevity of the part is dependant on average use? Does anyone have any experience of this and of getting VW to replace under warranty?

Thanks for your help

[gizzywizzy]

My 2 year old GTI is in for its first service today and have just been told that the brake pads/ discs are badly corroded. Also being told that VW will not cover this under warranty. The reason for the corrosion is being blamed on the inactivity of the car; less than 11500 miles covered. I find it astonishing that the longevity of the part is dependant on average use? Does anyone have any experience of this and of getting VW to replace under warranty?

Thanks for your help

Crap my car is just over 3 with 15000 miles on and very little corrosion, so tell VW to stick that in their pipe.

[Jimble]

^This, mine is nearly 2.5 years old with 13000 on, the disc/hubs go a little rusty anyway, my brothers old Rocs were terrible but VW said it was normal, tell them to leave them alone and get a second opinion.

[AlanH]

Interesting. My GTD was in for its first long-life service last week (around 18,500 miles) and I pointed out the rust on all 4 wheel hubs, plus quite substantial rust on the front wheel calipers. Photographs were taken, and I'm waiting to hear back from the Service Department.

[Snoopy]

Alot of things are only covered for 6 months or 6500 miles which ever comes first.
 http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=237565.msg2191670#msg2191670
I copies vw warrenty onto the forum.

Bit of a warning some dealers have a health check during service etc. Ask someone who works at these places off record and they will tell you its a money making exercise by dealer managers.
Have your brakes checked by independent if your worried.
You could post up photos and we could advise.
Brakes, aircon normally come up on health checks 

[Ess_Three]

Sadly, since the use of asbestos was stopped when making brake pads, the make up has changed, where the discs are softer than ever in order to get decent performance.
It's not uncommon for brake discs to outlast brake pads.

Since the metal is 'softer' than previously, it's more prone to rust. This is especially bad on the inside edge of the disc, where the water can sit.
Cars sitting unused outside suffer...as do those washed and put away without drying the brakes off first.
This can be minimised by driving the car round the block  with plenty of braking, before laying the car up for a lengthy period, to ensure the insides of the brakes are dry.

I suffered this exact issue with a previous car...and since drying the brakes before periods of inactivity, I've avoided the problem.

Sadly, rusting discs is something we just have to live with.

[Raffe]

2 year old car with 11k miles here and no issues, doesn't sound right to me.

[mustard]

As above, I have a 2.5 year old car with only 8000 and there is minimal rust.

[Ess_Three]

As above, I have a 2.5 year old car with only 8000 and there is minimal rust.

Has it sat for extended periods?
Or just done lots of short runs?

This does have an impact.

[mustard]

As above, I have a 2.5 year old car with only 8000 and there is minimal rust.

Has it sat for extended periods?
Or just done lots of short runs?

This does have an impact.

It tends mostly to be used for short runs, but last year I drove to Paris, to York and to Denmark. It is garaged, which may make all the difference. Garage is unheated but well built and only a few years old.

Previous Golf I had for six years, did slightly more miles 36,000, but again had no trouble with rust on the discs.

Can't believe they said it was lack of use.