Dodgy bodywork on the XF

[ianoliver57]

I have just bought a three year old XF with 22K on the clock and was disturbed to find rust corrosion on the boot lit just above the chrome strip. The paint was not chipped, the rust is under the paint. The Jaguar main dealer, from whom I bought the car, did not seem surprised at this! They obtained authorisation from Jaguar cars the following day to have the boot repaired. Good service, but even so, I do not expect corrosion on a car of this age/low mileage / quality etc. Anyone else experienced bodywork problems on the XF?

[jBlackwell]

Sadly its not uncommon on new cars.
In one of my previous jobs I assisted in the running a mobile alloy wheel repair business. We used to see lots of corrosion on all sorts of new cars (BMW, Merc, Jaguar, Mini) already setting in. And I mean new, not yet registered, let alone 3 years old.
It was not uncommon to have to prepare alloy wheels that had already had paint lifting and as you say not from damage, just poor finishing.
It is good to hear the service received was up to scratch from your dealer.

James

[regl7]

Mine is OK (2011) but have seen quite a few threads out there on rust near the rear chrome strip for XFs ( a few for X types too) some above the A (first or second?). Can see the meeting point of strip on boot is a water/grime gathering place for rear spray etc and the strip must bolt over bodywork so a tricky area. Also seen a mention of later year manufacturing fix mentioned but can't see what this was.

First UK sales must be coming out of 6 year bodywork (Corrosion Protection Warranty) period so it may start to be a costlier issue for owners.

[ianoliver57]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback! Seems I'm not alone. It's booked into the bodyshop on the 14th April (the earliest the main dealer could take it!! ). I'll post a report on the result once I get it back. Should be in the bodyshop for about four days.
Maybe I should have kept my '04 S Type. 2.7 D with 35K on the clock and in showroom condition! I never learn!
Following up on the comments above, I just checked the boot lid. The rust is indeed directly above the first 'A' ! Interesting! Must have another word with the main dealers! More to follow on this one I think.

[raysearles]

Have examined mine, now approaching its 5 th Birthday and all seems fine. Thanks for the heads up though will keep a close eye on it...

[ianoliver57]

The car has now been through the body shop and the resultant repair is very good. No trace of the rust and a perfect paint finish. I had also pointed out a patch of rust on the welded joint between the main engine bearer and the o/s/f chassis member which I did not think should have been there given the age and low mileage of the car. Unfortunately, the main dealers could not obtain authority from Jaguar Cars to have this cleaned up and treated under the corrosion warranty. I was told that the under bonnet areas are to a differant standard than the bodywork and i should just accept a bit of rust in this area! (Jaguar Cars words, not the dealer) Not entirely satisfactory. Especially when I was told that the boot lid rust, above the first 'A' of Jaguar was 'a known issue' and that was the reason why authority for that repair was obtained so quickly! XF owners beware! Keep an eye on the boot lid for signs of rust under the paint. The rust on the chassis is not a big problem. I'll give it a clean up myself, paint it with Kurust then a couple of coats of underseal. But it does suggest that the build quality is not what you should expect from Jaguar?

Happy motoring

Ian.

[raysearles]

Thanks Ian, at the Seminar technical experts XJK had not come across this issue with their customers, so it could be this is an emerging problem. Will be interesting to keep monitoring what our other members experience.

Regards

[regl7]

Good its now sorted Ian.

Judging by a few forum searches the problem has been bubbling up for about 4 years on XFs and generally can affect cars as young as 2 or 3 years old (one case a 16 month old MY2008 in early 2010). Seems to have affected some cars on MYs: 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 and was known to Jaguar and dealers by 2011 or earlier (maybe earlier as also issue on X Types).

Have seen some references to a manufacturing fix for MY2012 (clear tape behind chrome strip which in some cases protrudes a mm or so above the chrome strip). Possibly an issue with friction/rubbing breaching paint layer and then water reacting with the steel boot and the chromium coating. Issue may also have been referred to in June 2012 Enthusiast magazine XF page but can't go back that far on-line and can't see it in old forum posts.

Has anyone got a XF with the clear plastic tape/film visible behind the strip? (some appear to have been fitted after a warranty repair too).

Now been on a bonnet inspection - all OK on joints but did see a little bit of reddish sahara dust in a few places and surfaces under the bonnet (air filters?). There was a lot of dust 3 weeks or so ago in the rear screen water run off areas seen when the boot is raised. Both bonnet catches a bit worn/rusty - whats the recommendation here? grease? (left side was also showing an Open Warning when driving on the first few times it was closed).

best regards
Reg

[ianoliver57]

It just gets better and better!! Up in Glasgow today meeting friends for lunch and noticed, while putting shopping in the boot, that the chrome strip had not been correctly fitted to the boot lid at the right hand side after the paint repair! Straight round to the main dealers. Oops, sorry, seems this strip has to attach at the right end first and then the left. Result is it's now booked in again to have the strip and lights removed and then refitted correctly! Should only take about an hour to do!
I'll keep an eye out for a clear strip under the chrome when I finally have the car back fully repaired.
Regards red dust, we only have good clean air in Scotland! What I have under the bonnet is definately rust! My catches were also rusting but a liberal coating of grease seems to have sort them and no warning lights in sight.

Regards
Ian.

[regl7]

Sorry to that Ian - I spoke/posted to soon!

Not commenting on your rust, I had inspection to check mine and was commiserating with myself over dusty stuff over most of the engine bay surfaces that I noticed a couple of weeks ago & need to clean up at some point soon.

[marcjolly]

I've noticed this on mine. Two small rust bubbles just above the chrome boot lid strip. I thought I'd chance my arm and contact Jaguar even though I'm in a 59 Plate car and outside the 6 year body warranty. They did get back to me but alas quoted the terms of the bodywork warranty at me and were not prepared to assist. Well, worth a try at least. I've been to a local bodyshop who reckon £350-£400 to remediate the issue so I will let you know how it goes once I've saved up my pennies for the fix. I think I will wait for the better weather before going ahead though. I've also considered maybe buying a whole new bootlid from eBay and having it prepared seperately. Anyone tried this approach?

[J44EAG]

Guys,
I do all my own paint repairs. Its not that difficult.
No doubt you know about the techniques of corrosion clearance, flatting out, priming and then refinishing?
I use spray etch primer and aerosol spray cans specially mixed from Halfords together with W&D papers and Faracla Fast Cut rubbing compound to blend repairs in. I`m happy to advise anyone wishing to do their own remedial repairs.

At best, these modern steel Jaguar cars will have a life of around twenty years. Aluminium rather longer perhaps. Essentially that is a lifespan that Jaguar probably see as acceptable. However it is certainly disappointing to see localised panel and trim issues on cars of much lower ages occurring. My own beef is as regards to under-tray fastening rampant corrosion and more minimal issues with steel sub-frame finishes breaking down.

The best we can hope for is to regularly inspect our cars and tackle those paint finish defects. Water ingress and entrapment between two parts is frustrating to say the least. Adding sealing tapes after repair is a very good idea. Issues are being reported about sills with foam being injected for noise control. Water gets between the interface and behold the sill rots out. Not good building practice in my opinion.

As regards totally replacing a panel, I don`t see an issue with that. Carefully sourced, in good condition and hopefully with the same paint code, repair by direct replacement is a good option. The paint match could well be accurate and once fitted, the fact that the part is from a donor car matters not one jot. Nothing wrong with fitting second hand parts and paying around one third of the cost of a new component. Try Eurojag who advertise in the magazine. Good stuff from them and nice guys to deal with. Ebay can also be a good parts source. Just ensure what you might be about to buy is in first rate condition and at a sensible price.

Mike K

Mike K.

[dolphinfreindly]

It is a common issue and I have had mine repainted by Jaguar.

[ianoliver57]

I was told it was a known issue as far as Jaguar cars were concerned. On that basis, it is worth taking this up directly with Jaguar who may be more sympathetic than the dealer. Nothing to lose by asking. If they still refuse to get involved, and with a 59 plate, I'd be tempted to do the repair myself as Mike suggested.

Ian.

[marcjolly]

Thanks guys. I think I'd be a little more confident to try it myself if my car wasn't such an unusual colour. I don't know what it's actually called officially but the colour is like a metallic electric blue which I'm really going to struggle with matching as a newbie to paint. Think I will have to take the plunge and have it done professionally. Great advice from you all though. @ianoliver57 : I tried directly with Jaguar to no avail unfortuantely.