Worn paint on front wings

[m8internet]

I noticed this a few weeks ago on one side, and simply thought it was mud or dirt

However on cleaning the car I noticed it is rust and the paint is flaking away
The paint can also be seen failing in the direction away from the bottom corner
I then noticed it is identical on the other side of the car
The affected area is about 3" x 2" and is directly at the bottom corner nearest the wheel

I then looked down the side of the car, and it is in perfect alignment with the front tyres
It therefore looks as if the bottom edge of the paint on the front wings, just below the doors, has been blasted away

Has anyone else had this on their Vectra C?

I would assume the paint has failed, really strange that it is both sides of the car, so clearly the paint can't cope with the abuse; never had this on my Vectra B or Mondeo
The earliest I can get the car to the dealership will be Thursday, see what they day; if anything like last time they will claim "stone chip so not covered"...

[mattv6diesel]

someone caught the doors on the floor or had the doors respayed?

[m8internet]

No, the wear pattern is identical on both sides (ie nearside and offside)

I've checked the NCRC documents for the respray from September 2009 at the front of the car, but that was only the bonnet and front bumper

[m8internet]

The claim has now been placed with VX for consideration, should know within 7 days

The staff took some time looking at it and initially thought it simply looked like excessive wear
However, on closer inspection the paint can clearly be seen flaking away and it extends up the whole of the wing, internally and externally

[m8internet]

Claim refused, "consumerate with wear and tear"

Now need to get quotes for both wings to be stripped down, resealed, repainted, and then mud flaps fitted

[John LE]

Not sure but I think mine has a similar problem. The paint on the back wheel arches is flaking off. Stating to look pretty rough too although thanks to the Vectra's galvanised body its not rusty

Mine is a 2003 53

[m8internet]

Mine is clearly starting to rust and needs to be treated urgently
The paint in the affected is simply just flaking away
I can clearly see two layers, the top layer just drops off as soon as I touch it
There is then a lower layer it is free from the metal, and this looks like it is very slowly deteriorating

Due to the flow of surface water and other road material on to the bodywork this area is clearly under more attack than any other area of the paintwork

On inspection it was recommended I get this treated before the end of June
Also on completion I get mud flaps fitted to prevent the issue returning
Personally, that suggests poor design of this area of the car and the paint is not thick enough to cope
Not so much mud flaps as "paint protectors"

[LEW1S2006]

Mine is the same mate, was going to ask vx about it on its next service which will be next week. Mine is a taxi with 120k on it so i dont fancy my chances of them covering it for me. Let us know how you get kn with the quote

[m8internet]

That is the nearside front wheel arch (and the offside is identical)
You can just make out the area of concern to the right of the wheel

The claim was declined and I am disputing it
If it was "wear and tear" then the sill would also be showing the same signs, but it is not, therefore it is clearly the paint applied to the metal which is defective
I have had the car fully serviced, which was paid for by VX
If yours is the same, and we are at about the same age / mileage, then as I suspected the paint is of a poor quality

I've had a look at other Vectra C up to 2005 and the same issue can be seen

VX quoted me £450 with a 1 year warranty
NCRC have quoted me £280 with a 3 year warranty

[Derek Mc]

Based on reading your post it was on the immediate to do list when I got mine and last night day three of ownership I fitted a set. Better to be safe than sorry