Under-body cover

[joet]

Hi,

I took my 8.5 GTI in today to change the Richmond wheels for some after-market ones as I'm not keen on the  originals.
Whilst at the tyre garage, the mechanic noticed that the under-body tray seemed to be missing on the car. I've attached a photo showing the area. I was just wondering if anyone knows whether it is in fact missing or whether it's not there by design.
Thanks for your help

[Exonian]

It beggars belief that it got through PDI like that

[joet]

So I contacted my dealer with the photo and this is his reply:

'I have just spoken with one of our Master Technicians and showed him the photo, it is not missing anything, it has a half under-tray (although it looks small than a half!), this is the part at the front of the engine.'

So it would appear that's how they leave the factory.

Just out of interest, could someone with an 8.5 confirm if theirs is the same?
Thanks

[clarky92]

It beggars belief that it got through PDI like that

PDI aka driving it off the transporter, the apprentice throwing a bucket of water over it and inflicting swirls in the new paint, peeling the stickers off and its ready for the customer...

[nsax_8.5_CS]

Now I wish I'd got a photo of mine on the ramp last week to help you out. I think mine had a cover but can't be sure..

[joet]

Now I wish I'd got a photo of mine on the ramp last week to help you out. I think mine had a cover but can't be sure..

Thank you. I appreciate the thought

[Carlosfandango]

I haven’t looked at mine yet, but I’d say it’s normal, I know these skid plates can be different depending on model though, the mk7 R for instance had pretty much the same shape and size cover as the OP has posted, this reminded me of a video I’d seen of a guy fitting one from an Alltrack to his R in order to gain some extra protection,(link below)  in the video he shows the original cover, it’s essentially what the 8.5 appears to have. Maybe it’s a cooling thing?! It would likely be possible to fit an extended cover, and maybe even possible the mk7 alltrack one would fit, or there is an option on some 8.5 models to spec Heavy duty suspension, this raises the ride height, and possibly adds some different underbody protection, so there may be something available specifically for the 8 or 8.5 that will fit if you wish to, this is guess work though, but based on previous vw experience of things like this I’d say it’s likely.
https://youtu.be/mjcyc-R0X0w?si=OPDvRgqp8JQ4HlT3

[Exonian]

It beggars belief that it got through PDI like that

Discount my last remark.

Now having looked at it on a bigger screen than my phone it very much looks the same as a mk7 item.
I think it’s the fact it’s taken from towards the rear of the vehicle and the alu subframe is still clean and shiny.
I fitted a JB1 tuning device to my mk7 R which was removed a few times before dealer visits so I had to take the under tray off a few times to access the lower plug. I did this with the car on the ground, from the front the under tray looks a bit bigger. I’m pretty sure the tray only had 7 torx bolts holding it on, three one side and four the other plus some lugs at the front. Looking at your photo joet it seems like it has the same number of studs attaching it.

[joet]

Thanks @Exonian and @Carlosfandango. It sounds like it's not missing anything and that's how they come out of the factory.

It's put my mind at ease.

[Beebopper]

Thanks @Exonian and @Carlosfandango. It sounds like it's not missing anything and that's how they come out of the factory.

It's put my mind at ease.

I just crawled under my car to check, mine is the same as yours, just the short curved tray at the front. Whilst it doesn't protect things, and might add a bit of noise, you do not have the issue of masking any fluid leaks that you could spot on the ground, rather than the under-tray just catching it.