VW Taigo - calliper corrosion due to salt/sea air
Discussion
Evening all,
I have a 17month old very low mileage Taigo which has already developed corrosion on the brake callipers, and a tiny bit on the discs. Unfortunately I work from home, and live on the coast, so the car's very much open to the elements and does/can sit for a few days at a time before being driven (hence the low mileage - it is effectively a brand new car still).
Firstly, is this expected of a 17month old car that has sat still more than it has been driven, or should materials be lasting longer? (decline in quality used by VW perhaps). The other slightly older German branded car it is parked next to doesn't appear to have this issue at all but is driven more often than mine - literally parked side by side, same open to the elements space.
Secondly VW have greased the axles today and made me aware of it (I had noticed they weren't looking as new as they perhaps should be, hence making the most of the winter check they offer) but is there anything I can do to slow the process down/clean them up?
I have a 17month old very low mileage Taigo which has already developed corrosion on the brake callipers, and a tiny bit on the discs. Unfortunately I work from home, and live on the coast, so the car's very much open to the elements and does/can sit for a few days at a time before being driven (hence the low mileage - it is effectively a brand new car still).
Firstly, is this expected of a 17month old car that has sat still more than it has been driven, or should materials be lasting longer? (decline in quality used by VW perhaps). The other slightly older German branded car it is parked next to doesn't appear to have this issue at all but is driven more often than mine - literally parked side by side, same open to the elements space.
Secondly VW have greased the axles today and made me aware of it (I had noticed they weren't looking as new as they perhaps should be, hence making the most of the winter check they offer) but is there anything I can do to slow the process down/clean them up?
If the braking function still works as expected, the dealer will just say it's an 'cosmetic anomaly' and show you the door unfortunately.
Yes materials quality is on the decline. VAG have started using China sourced parts in recent years. Nothing wrong with Chinese parts if they're made to a certain standard, but more often than not, they aren't. VAG build cars over there for that market, so it might make sense economically as it's cheaper labour, but I've seen youtube videos of Chinese sourced chain gear failing at 40K. Hmmm.
Anyway, if your calipers are plain steel, they will corrode. They need the heat from regular use to fend it off.
Yes materials quality is on the decline. VAG have started using China sourced parts in recent years. Nothing wrong with Chinese parts if they're made to a certain standard, but more often than not, they aren't. VAG build cars over there for that market, so it might make sense economically as it's cheaper labour, but I've seen youtube videos of Chinese sourced chain gear failing at 40K. Hmmm.
Anyway, if your calipers are plain steel, they will corrode. They need the heat from regular use to fend it off.
Are we talking about the rear brakes? Very common, and you don't need to live by the sea.
A lot of small and medium sized cars use their rear brakes very little (gentle use, low miles, motorway only etc.) so they'll corrode before they're worn out.
Seaside syndrome is very real, however. Salt still kills cars. You could have the underside treated with something like Lanoguard and try (wherever possible) to give it a longer/harder drive once in a while.
A lot of small and medium sized cars use their rear brakes very little (gentle use, low miles, motorway only etc.) so they'll corrode before they're worn out.
Seaside syndrome is very real, however. Salt still kills cars. You could have the underside treated with something like Lanoguard and try (wherever possible) to give it a longer/harder drive once in a while.
IME, rear discs of many cars suffer this if they are not used properly.
my dad is active with the local old folks group committee. He's a bit of a DIY handyman so helps out with jobs for local old folk. One thing he hears all the time is moans about 2-3 year old, low mileage cars needing disc and pads replaced.
my dad is active with the local old folks group committee. He's a bit of a DIY handyman so helps out with jobs for local old folk. One thing he hears all the time is moans about 2-3 year old, low mileage cars needing disc and pads replaced.
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