Wear on Leather Seats - Possible for Warranty Claim?

[scoobyrex]

I just picked up an 18 month old MK5 GTI with leather seats However, I noticed some wear on the seats Is this due to the lack of care from the previous owner Or is it due to poor quality from VW? Is this considered normal wear and tear Would this warrant a warranty claim from VW Any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated Here are some pictures of the damage.

[Maverick]

I just picked up an 18 month old MK5 GTI with leather seats However, I noticed some wear on the seats Is this due to the lack of care from the previous owner Or is it due to poor quality from VW? Is this considered normal wear and tear Would this warrant a warranty claim from VW Any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated

Too many beans has created that problem and the previous owner didn't keep the stitching free of dirt or the leather conditioned.

It's critical that these areas be vacuumed on a regular basis and the leather should be cleaned from time to time and conditioned on a regular basis (at least 6 times a year IMO).

You have nil chance of warranty IMO. You can get the seats repaired down the track so I wouldn't worry too much about it but I would get into the habit of looking after it by using a good product.

[bazzle]

The color is only painted on anyway. Get a leather spray of same color , spray some into lid and paint over affected area.

The worse area for wear on Golf leather seats seems to be the stitching on the side bolster where the air bag is.!

Bazzle

[Umai Naa!!]

Take the car in and ask if there's a chance VW will help you. They may replace the seat trim. Although, given it's a high-wearing part through use, they may not.

[Treza360]

The color is only painted on anyway. Get a leather spray of same color , spray some into lid and paint over affected area.
The worse area for wear on Golf leather seats seems to be the stitching on the side bolster where the air bag is.!
Bazzle

Yep my Dad's stitching actually split there and the seatbelt actually wore away a bit of the leather where it comes up from the bottom just below the stitching. Replaced under warranty!
Cheers,
Trent

[scoobyrex]

Thanks for the replies Took it in to the dealer today. Was told that this can be replaced through warranty However, it needs to be assessed by a VW rep who visits the dealer once a month. Apparently dealers aren't allowed to order parts for the leather trim I have already booked the car in for a detail in 2 weeks time which includes leather cleaning and treatment Hopefully all goes well

[Umai Naa!!]

Correct. It's quite normal for issues of that nature to be assessed by the rep. From previous experiance, you should be ok.

[yowie]

Interesting as we just had our leather hand-brake cover, which is coming away, assessed by the dealer as needing replacement and our service report notes the part as 'on order'. Maybe seats are treated differently.

[Umai Naa!!]

Definately.

The cost of the upholstery is horrendous.

[yowie]

I can imagine it would be costly.
Our dealer SMS-ed just a few days after the service to ask us to book a time to have it fitted.
I was a tad concerned as the service sheet referred to a 'leather gear lever cover', but so far so good!