New W212 E220CDI - damaged pipe?

[igk1]

I opened up the bonnet yesterday to refill the washer fluid, and I noticed a pipe which has some rubbery insulation/cladding on it, which was very worn and damaged. I can't imagine how this happened - I have only had the car about 6 weeks, so it might well have been like it when I got the car.
I wonder if anyone can tell me:
- what the pipe is
- how it could get like this
- does it matter

It's on the passenger side, so the photo is taken from the passenger side, looking across.
Another angle:

Looks like bits of it have been scraped off. Could it have happened when the car was PDI'd or something?

 

[jaymanek]

Looks like a mouse has eaten it when in transit.

 

[nick mercedes]

Looks like bits of it have been scraped off. Could it have happened when the car was PDI'd or something?

Mice?

 

[st4]

Mice?

Car goes in a boat which will be fostooned with vermin, but wonder how the F*** it would get into the car

 

[igk1]

That seems to be feasible. I have had a good look with a torch - there seems to be no other sign of vermin - no droppings or indications of a nest or other mess or anything. Another pipe with that foamy-like insulation seems a bit damaged, but otherwise everything else seems very clean. I can only assume that a mouse got in in transit and has now departed.

 

[yachtman]

I opened up the bonnet yesterday to refill the washer fluid, and I noticed a pipe which has some rubbery insulation/cladding on it, which was very worn and damaged. I can't imagine how this happened - I have only had the car about 6 weeks, so it might well have been like it when I got the car.
I wonder if anyone can tell me:
- what the pipe is
- how it could get like this
?

Airconditioning pipe

been rubbing on the bonnet?

probably got like it when the wing protector cloth was on and hanging over, my be???

just looks untidy and probably protects the bonnet from a cool spot, ie condensation in certain weather

 

[camerafodder]

Looks like mice to me. They only need the tiniest of spaces for access and there are plenty of those under the engine.

 

[N7OGP]

if it is mice they might have come with the car, if its been standing around waiting to be shipped.