Alloy wheels - warranty claim - paint thickness

[Bullfinch]

I'm currently in dispute with my local VW dealer over the white worm corrosion on both rear Austin alloy wheels on my GTi.  The car was taken in for them to do a paint measuring check and they claim all 4 wheels have been refurbished.  I bought the car when it was 1 year old and with 9,000 miles on the clock.  All wheels at that time looked fine with no issues.  They did not appear to have any new paint or lacquer added.

I asked for the Alloy Wheel return forms which they used to then check with VW standard measurements.  Paint depth readings were taken in 3 areas (doesn't specify where).  I was not supplied with VW standard measurements.  Does anyone know what the standard measurements are?  Also what other actions can I take?  I phoned up VW Customer Care and they said to take it to another dealer for them to check.

[Talk-torque]

If the wheels had been kerbed, or otherwise damaged, by the car's first owner, they may well have been refurbed by the dealer. They are never overly concerned at kerbing on px cars, as the repair guys they use can do a pretty good job. As you don't know the full history of the car, in this respect, you may be in a difficult position.

VW wheels are not the best. No excuse for the way they all corrode with the least provocation.

[Finglonga]

How long since you purchased the car and was it VW approved used as the dealer itself gives a warranty for a few months in addition to the VW one.

They don't like changing wheels, I had one and the second one was refused as they said it was a stone chip that caused the corrosion.

[I wanted a GTi]

I found a problem with one of my wheels a few weeks back and went into the dealer and they just took photos of it. While there they found faults with two of the other wheels that I hadn't seen and can't find even now but they asked if I wanted to check the 4th to see if I could find something wrong with that so they could change all 4 at the same time. One of the wheels there are changing has a stone chip on it but wasn't near the imperfection.

[Gaz W]

I'm currently in dispute with my local VW dealer over the white worm corrosion on both rear Austin alloy wheels on my GTi.  The car was taken in for them to do a paint measuring check and they claim all 4 wheels have been refurbished.  I bought the car when it was 1 year old and with 9,000 miles on the clock.  All wheels at that time looked fine with no issues.  They did not appear to have any new paint or lacquer added.

I asked for the Alloy Wheel return forms which they used to then check with VW standard measurements.  Paint depth readings were taken in 3 areas (doesn't specify where).  I was not supplied with VW standard measurements.  Does anyone know what the standard measurements are?  Also what other actions can I take?  I phoned up VW Customer Care and they said to take it to another dealer for them to check.

Seems unusual to go to lengths of paint measurements on alloy wheels, it is technically required but its usually very obvious to a trained eye whether they are original finish or have been refinished,

It is also unlikely if they have been refurbished by the dealer they have white worm as they will often be smart repaired rather than professionally stripped/painted and re-diamond cut so will be obvious if repaired.

Do you have any photos of the defect?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

This is interesting.  I bought my three year old GTI from the local VW dealer a month ago, and noticed recently that the paint near the valve on one of my rear wheels is flaking off.

Is this something that the dealer could be expected to rectify under the warranty?

[SRGTD]

This is interesting.  I bought my three year old GTI from the local VW dealer a month ago, and noticed recently that the paint near the valve on one of my rear wheels is flaking off.

Is this something that the dealer could be expected to rectify under the warranty?

The original factory wheels fitted to the car are covered under warranty for a period of 3 years. If you bought your car at 3 years old from a VW dealership under the approved used Das Welt Auto programme, presumably you got a 12 month Das Welt Auto warranty, which is essentially an electrical and mechanical breakdown insurance, so wheels wouldn’t be covered - see page 12 of the warranty handbook under the ‘What is not covered’ section, where wheels are specifically excluded;

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/files/live/sites/vwuk/files/Used/Approved%20used%20warranty.pdf

As you bought your car very recently (only a month ago), the dealer may agree to refurbish the wheel as a goodwill gesture. There’s no harm in asking them.