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Exploding Sunroof


Nik

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Not suprised that VW have rejected it as warranty, seems they'll say anything to get out of honouring a warranty claim. I'm skeptical that a main dealer that doesn't exactly employ people skilled to perform a "forensic" look can determine the cause as having been an impact of sorts.

 

Wonder what they're conclusion would've been had it been parked up in a garage when it shattered with no trace of an impact?

 

Hope you get sorted.

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One reason I don’t want and would avoid a pano roof, just one more thing to worry about there is enough glass already and partly why I bought the wife a Citigo and not a glass booted VW Up.

 

Tempered glass in its very nature/manufacture is highly stressed and breaking/exploding spontaneously is nothing new.

 

I do not understand why they don’t fit laminated glass on panoramic roofs if they are so prone to being hit by flying objects you would want similar characteristics as your windscreen, apart from it being more expensive but at least it will never explode.

 

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55 minutes ago, Ben said:

One reason I don’t want and would avoid a pano roof, just one more thing to worry about there is enough glass already and partly why I bought the wife a Citigo and not a glass booted VW Up.

 

Tempered glass in its very nature/manufacture is highly stressed and breaking/exploding spontaneously is nothing new.

 

I do not understand why they don’t fit laminated glass on panoramic roofs if they are so prone to being hit by flying objects you would want similar characteristics as your windscreen, apart from it being more expensive but at least it will never explode.

 

 

Spot on Ben. Having never had a sunroof I didnt realise that they are made from much lower quality glass than the windscreen.

Wonder if the VW garage garage gave a reason for saying that it was probably impact damage or were they just guessing?

Who did the report that went to the dvsa? Qualifications of said person?

 

Just a couple of thoughts...

1. Any chance you had just driven under a motorway bridge? Anything "falling"off the bridge would give a net impact speed of 60-80 mph so would go with a huge bang. And the offending object would bounce off and could end up 100 yards away, so not surprised that you didnt find anything inside the car. I am guessing you don't have a dashcam as that would have thrown some light on the whole event.

2. If VW cant prove (within reason) that it was caused by a high speed impact then the only other likely cause is spontaneous failure (caused by a manufacturing defect). And to my mind that would make VW liable.

 

 

 

 

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Glad you’re ok Nik that’s shocking news and I agree with all of what’s been mentioned.

 I have the pano and have zero issues as it’s been great the last 19 months from new.

Three friends have had they’re pano explode . Not on VW’s but My WiFe still wants one 😬 but hay ho she paid for it 😊

Two of the guy’s were parked up in multi storey car parks when they went pop luckily with cctv providing evedence of no wrong doing by vandals.

all three claimed on they’re glass cover insurance and paid £75 excess.

Ive told the wife to keep the blind shut until I can ppf inside and out after your scare .

Glad all’s ok now 👍

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Hi, it’s exactly that, their word against mine. I was completely caught between a rock and hard place. Accept their ‘good will gesture’ of 50% discount or go collect my car with a hole in the roof. 

The report that has been submitted to the DVSA was done by me using their online form process. I then emailed photos for additional information. All I know from them at the moment is that they are investigating? I will call them later this week if I haven’t heard anything. 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi, I have just had a reply from the DVSA. As suspected VW have not accepted any responsibility. 

 

Below is the reply i have just received - case closed.  

————

Mr Martin

 

I have now had responses from the manufacturer.

 

The manufacturer advises they do not have specific cases reported to them and a search of our database has not revealed any for this vehicle.

 

The manufacturer believes the most likely cause is an impact but without further evidence it is not possible to confirm this. Additionally a previous impact (prior to the event) may have caused damage which could have gradually exacerbated to the point of failure.

 

The glass used is an approved safety glass which, when shattering, breaks into small pebble like pieces without sharp edges.

 

I have also progressed the bulletin action launched in the USA and Canada.

 

This action refers to vehicles specifically built for the affected markets and relates to possible water leaks caused by a cracked frame. UK vehicles are not affected by this action.

 

Having reviewed the available evidence DVSA considers it to be insufficient to support further action at this time.

 

We will keep the case on file for further reference should we receive further reports.

 

Thank you for contacting DVSA

 

Regards

 

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It was always going to be an uphill battle to get VW to admit they fitted inferior roof glass to their best selling vehicle, when it’s so easy for them to blame outside factors. Can you imagine the cost of replacing all those Pan roofs in a recall, if they were to admit liability?

10\10 for effort, but the outcome was probably predetermined by the potential financial penalty.

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