I have had exactly the same issue on my (you've guessed it) Ovni Yellow, 54' plate (2005 registered), 90,000 mile, tdi FR.
Has anyone chased any of their claims up with SEAT and got anywhere since the thread was originally started?
Below is some of the communication between myself and SEAT. They have just wriggled out of it with technicalities / loop-holes within their own warranty. I guess I'm going to have to live with it as I can't afford 2 new wings and a full respray at the moment.
SEAT's initial response:
"After perusing the photos that have been taken by Currie SEAT whom you visited, the Warranty Department have rejected the warranty claim on your vehicle under the 12 year perforation warranty. They have stated that the issue on your vehicle is not corrosion of the metal and as such have declined the claim.
I understand that the above response would be a disappointment to you and I have therefore referred to our Technical Department for a technical opinion. They have concurred the decision made by warranty and have confirmed that the issue on your vehicle is Edge and Fold Corrosion. This occurs on edges and folds on vehicles where the paint is the thinnest. This corrosion is a direct
effect of external influences affecting the paint and causing the rusting. This is therefore classed as a paint issue and not a metal issue, the paint warranty on your vehicle is only valid for 3 years and as such the repair on your vehicle would not be covered."
I then replied:
"So your advising me (and agreeing that there is a defect / corrosion) that this is as a result of poor materials / workmanship, however your using a technicality between your thin paint or a corner / edge of a panel to reject my claim?
If so, please advise me how this matter can be escalated prior to me seeking legal advice. "
SEAT's final response was:
"I was sorry to learn that you are not satisfied with my previous response.
I can confirm that I have investigated this matter further with SEAT UK Technical department, as they are the department that investigate defects on the vehicles and make warranty decisions.
Following their investigations, they have stated that on the rust on the folds and edges of the body work is caused by an
outside influence. I did not state that was a manufacturing defect or a result of poor workmanship.
The concern with the paintwork on your vehicle is not relating to the thickness of the paint but is related to an outside
influence that has caused the paint to chip away. This has in turn led to rust which is a natural phenomenon and is not caused by a manufacturing defect.
SEAT Customer Care can not over rule a decision made by warranty and we abide by the decisions that they make.
If you are unhappy with the decision that has been made, the only way that this can be investigated further is to have an
inspection completed by a company called PVWI. They are an independent paint specialist and they are not owned or affiliated with SEAT UK. If they diagnose that this concern is caused by anti-perforation, then they will submit their report to SEAT UK and the repair will be completed under warranty.
If you choose this route, you will have to arrange to have the inspection carried out and will also have to cover the cost of
the inspection. The cost of the inspection is between £130.00 and £180.00. If the inspection confirms that this is
anti-perforation warranty, SEAT UK will reimburse you the cost of the inspection and the repair will be completed under warranty.
As stated above, as I can not change a decision by the SEAT UK Warranty department, this is our full and final decision on this matter."