Rust on Vito tailgate

[zenman63]

2005 Vito, the usual rust around the rear wiper, the only mark on the van, it's immaculate, full main dealer history.
Report the rust, pictures taken, day 1 asked to take to there approved painters for mercedes , that was full of crashed mercedes! same day.
call the next day and they have said Yes and it's booked in with a free loan van.
Cannot get better than this.

 

[zenman63]

Van went in this week, 24th.
Just had a call from my Main dealer, they have had a call from the body shop, new tail gate required!
It took a day and a half to find this! they have sand blasted the rust and it's gone in to a hole, what a surprise, it has been festering for 5 years there.
Some body shop, typically cannot repair just replace.
Anyway they want best part of 1K for this and have asked me to contribute £100 towards.
I have to say, I really don't want a new tail gate fitted, it will never be the same again, rust or no rust.
Bummer.

 

[BTB 500]

Out of interest ... have you had the van from new? Does it have the 12 year bodywork warranty that came in when they started galvanising them (early 639s were not galvanised)?

If this is being done under warranty (as above) then I don't personally think you should have to contribute.

However if there's an element of 'good will' involved then £100 for a brand new tailgate doesn't sound too bad to me!

 

[zenman63]

I have not had it from new, but it is a local van and from the suppling dealers with full history.
I have been going there for 10 years with cars etc.
This is where I had them, they tick a box to say paintwork is good to go and no remarks made, so they missed it when it was serviced on a 5 year plan.
manufactured 27/11/05 on a 55 plate.
They did not give me a lone van also.

 

[zenman63]

It does have 12 years warranty on rust but only from the inside out!
What a joke

 

[zenman63]

Just picked up my Vito with a new tailgate!
Very happy with the service and a first class job done.
Just shows the value of a Main Dealer service history.
I can recommend WYNDON MOTORS KERESLEY body shop for there service and paint work, and I am Very fussy!

 

[mvg73]

hi, am new to this site. i have the same problem with rust around the rear badge and near the chrome trim on my vito dualliner 2006, just above the number plate. i've had all the paint depths taken, photos etc, only for mercedes to say they wont pay for the work to be done. they are saying this is surface rust and not rust from the body work outwards ! not happy. am taking this further.

any advice please ? thanks matthew.

 

[zenman63]

Do you have full MB History?
If not then a new tailgate is the only answer.