What can I do about car bodywork defects?

Bodywork defects on a vehicle may arise due to the following reasons:

• Through corrosion (also known as ‘in to out’ corrosion)
• Surface corrosion (also referred to as ‘out to in’ corrosion)

Through corrosion results from a defect in the metal (as a result of a manufacturing problem or treatment of the bodywork). When this occurs, the metal beneath the paintwork begins to deteriorate, therefore giving rise to perforations in the bodywork (this can appear as bubbling).

Surface corrosion can be caused by external influence, such as stone chips removing the paintwork, deep scratches, over-polishing, adverse weather (hailstones), and salt in the air.

If you encounter corrosion, the first step is to take your car into an approved repairer by the vehicle manufacturer (they will be able to inform you of your local business), for it to be inspected in order to determine the cause of the corrosion, and the type.

Often, a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty will cover surface corrosion for a period of three years if it has been caused by a build defect. As for through corrosion, the warranty policy will state the duration as to how long this is covered for, which is usually longer than the coverage period provided for the base warranty.

It is always worth reading the terms and conditions of the warranty agreement carefully when purchasing a vehicle to understand the coverage and duration of the policy.

If you require an independent technical report to assess a bodywork issue, you can find more information about how to obtain a report here.

If you have been unable to resolve your complaint to your full satisfaction, and you have reached a state of deadlock with a Motor Ombudsman-accredited business, you are able to submit your dispute to The Motor Ombudsman for help getting it resolved.