Tiny blisters on roof

[RichardP]

I have an appointment at the local dealership soon, so I thought I'd draw a map of the blisters and take a few photos.

Blister map :



Single large blister, above the passenger side window separator :



Two large blisters in the sun roof cutout recess on the passenger side :



Two groups of small blisters above the passenger side door (the group towards the front is out of focus) :

 

[RichardP]

Just back from the dealership. They basically reiterated what has been said here without prompting. Replacement roof required, may take some time to get from Westfalia (could be 6 months+). 'Probable' cause due to poor storage of roofs after manufacture. They have seen a couple with the same issue before which were rectified at the Mercedes approved body shop that they use.

 

[Steve B]

It's like a disease; just had a look and I've got it now! lots of small blisters spread all over the roof. A call to the dealers on Monday and try to explain to them

 

[Arthur B]

Are these roof blisters affecting any particular colour or are they on all colours ?

 

[SteveR]

Are these roof blisters affecting any particular colour or are they on all colours ?

I believe that they are a fibre glass defect as opposed to a paint defect Arthur so yes, all colours

 

[Steve B]

Has anyone had roof work done at Mercedes Northampton (Sytner)?

 

[Arthur B]

It's like a disease; just had a look and I've got it now! lots of small blisters spread all over the roof. A call to the dealers on Monday and try to explain to them

What did the dealership have to say ?

 

[KRWakefield]

I've had the same thing happen to my roof, Westfalia are asking for the serial number of the roof before they will progress. However I can find no serial number on the roof. Brought my van from Mercedes Hull but the Body shop in Boston are dealing with the claim.

 

[Steve B]

I am taking it to the dealer this Friday for photos, but I asked if anyone there was familiar with MP's and the answer was - no. I can feel hassle coming on.....

We bought ours from Hull, but we live in Northants so using a local dealer.

 

[RichardP]

Is there any way to create a poll so we can get some idea of the numbers of vehicles that suffer from blisters (rather than counting up the members in this thread that have reported them)? There was (is) a poll on the VW California forum for the roof corrosion issue and it gave a good indication of the scale of the issue.

Something like :

Poll relating to blisters in the paint on the roof of the Marco Polo

- No blisters found but not inspected
- No blisters found after inspection
- Blisters found, not yet rectified
- Blisters found, warranty repair rejected
- Blisters found, rectified under warranty, not reoccurring
- Blisters rectified but reoccurring
- Blisters rectified more than once, currently OK

Users would need to be able to change their vote as their status changed.

 

[KRWakefield]

I am taking it to the dealer this Friday for photos, but I asked if anyone there was familiar with MP's and the answer was - no. I can feel hassle coming on.....

We bought ours from Hull, but we live in Northants so using a local dealer.

We have found the Hull dealership very helpful and especially the salesman Andy.

 

[Epigram]

Is there any way to create a poll so we can get some idea of the numbers of vehicles that suffer from blisters (rather than counting up the members in this thread that have reported them)? There was (is) a poll on the VW California forum for the roof corrosion issue and it gave a good indication of the scale of the issue.

Something like :

Poll relating to blisters in the paint on the roof of the Marco Polo

- No blisters found but not inspected
- No blisters found after inspection
- Blisters found, not yet rectified
- Blisters found, warranty repair rejected
- Blisters found, rectified under warranty, not reoccurring
- Blisters rectified but reoccurring
- Blisters rectified more than once, currently OK

Users would need to be able to change their vote as their status changed.

A good idea.
I set up a couple of polls to gather data about the roof blisters some time ago.
However polls are not visible as a separate topic on the Home page and therefore are not seen to get completed. You have to search ”poll” to find them. Also multiple questions are difficult to set in the poll. Hence two polls.
Perhaps the forum administrators could make some improvements and make Polls more visible as a separate topic as in the California Owner’s forum.
On the basis that most problems relating to roof blisters are in this thread, I found the only way to get statistical data is to wade through the posts - currently 10 pages and very time consuming.
I think you will find to number of V Class MPs affected is running at around 5% pf those registered

 

[Lol]

We have just discovered the dreaded blisters and are waiting for Mercedes Caterham warranty dept to get back to us with what they are going to do as they had not heard of problem before
Does not seem to be a simple process and I’m hoping that it isn’t going to be a fight
Think the poll idea would give us more information
Has any one else had the repairs done
Thanks

 

[Epigram]

If you make a cuppa and read the 10 pages of this thread (and “New roof”) you will get a very good idea of whats going on with the repair process and other details..
It would be a good idea to suggest to Mercedes Caterham that they read it too. The forum may be unofficial from Mercedes perspective (my dealer said ”Oh, we dont take any notice of that!” but it provides more information than is coming out of the formal channels in MB.

 

[RichardP]

Links to the existing polls

Roof blister problem: Poll 1 - Date of registration

This poll is the first of two questions linked to the roof blister problem. The purpose is to determine the year / quarter of manufacture of V Class Marco Polos / Horizons that have roof blistering. and how long it took to be identified. Please complete both polls but ONLY if you have a roof...

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

Roof blister problem: Poll 2 Age of vehicle when blisters first noticed.

This poll is the second of two questions linked to the roof blister problem. The purpose is to determine how old the vehicle was of V Class Marco Polos / Horizon when roof blisters were first identified and how long it took for them to occur. Please complete both polls but ONLY if you have a...

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

Could these be made sticky so they are always at the top of the forum?

 

[Carol]

Took from Feb 2019 to Dec 2019 to get my roof sorted , first new roof came within 6-8weeks , but I rejected it the following day after having the van returned ,it had two massive lumps at least 10cm across , after that waited till Dec to get second roof fitted. I must say it looks good at present , hope it stays that way.
I got appalling service from Colchester Mercedes , I even wrote to the After Sales Manager, but surprise surprise he did not even acknowledge my letter or contact me..
So too date not impressed with Mercedes after sales service

 

[Steve B]

Took from Feb 2019 to Dec 2019 to get my roof sorted , first new roof came within 6-8weeks , but I rejected it the following day after having the van returned ,it had two massive lumps at least 10cm across , after that waited till Dec to get second roof fitted. I must say it looks good at present , hope it stays that way.
I got appalling service from Colchester Mercedes , I even wrote to the After Sales Manager, but surprise surprise he did not even acknowledge my letter or contact me..
So too date not impressed with Mercedes after sales service

Based on the majority of other peoples experiences I'm expecting poor service, lack of understanding, many phone calls etc. So at least I should either not be surprised or possibly (hopefully) pleasantly surprised. Its a real pity this poor dealer experience happens to many people as the MP is a decent thing.

 

[Steve B]

Went well today at the dealers, blisters on top form and were present at correct for their photo shoot. Now the body shop is sending the photo's off to MB. I did show this thread on my iphone as this issue is new to them, lets see what happens.

 

[Arthur B]

A good idea.
I set up a couple of polls to gather data about the roof blisters some time ago.
However polls are not visible as a separate topic on the Home page and therefore are not seen to get completed. You have to search ”poll” to find them. Also multiple questions are difficult to set in the poll. Hence two polls.
Perhaps the forum administrators could make some improvements and make Polls more visible as a separate topic as in the California Owner’s forum.
On the basis that most problems relating to roof blisters are in this thread, I found the only way to get statistical data is to wade through the posts - currently 10 pages and very time consuming.
I think you will find to number of V Class MPs affected is running at around 5% pf those registered

Personally, from what I've seen and read about the roof blisters, I think there's a far higher percentage affected than 5%.
Some people will keep it to themselves.

 

[funkyegg]

Personally, from what I've seen and read about the roof blisters, I think there's a far higher percentage affected than 5%.
Some people will keep it to themselves.

I would agree with this. My guess would be around 50% 17/18 built MPs would have the blisters. It seems that the blisters start to emerge when it's cold and moist and are less apparent when hot and dry....

My local dealer got the new roof for me and it has been sent to the Merc authorised body shop waiting for me to bring the vehicle in to replace the roof. It's a bare fibre glass roof without paint so it would need to be painted at the workshop before fitting. The body shop is Fastlane based near Heathrow so I might try to pay them a visit to make sure they know what they are doing. I have been told they had only done one roof replacement so far... I have been dragging to bring my MP in as I'm not sure the new roof would be better than my existing blustered one, at least in medium to long term....

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