Volkswagen Golf Mk5 Match - What is a VW door made of? Accident damage coverup

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Sun 25 Sep 2011 00:42
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 Match - What is a VW door made of? Accident damage coverup - subfrequenz

I recently bought a 1.9tdi match 2007 5 door car and am loving it. It has, however, had a respray on the passenger side doors. I've tried to find out why but no one seems to know! It's not written off (Cat c/d etc) but has obviously had a repair. A VW mechanic said the outer door skins have probably been replaced and sprayed to match the rest of the car. But is there a way to know if the rest of the doors innards eg any safety reinforcement bars etc, are intact? Does it have any strengthening? Everything seems pretty well aligned but I'm just concerned about internal damage.

Is there any place I can take this car to get it inspected to see if it's structurally sound? It drives well and the rest of the car is spotless but it would be good to have a professional opinion!

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Sun 25 Sep 2011 19:11
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 Match - What is a VW door made of? Accident damage coverup - Robin the Technician

If the car has required a new door skin it would be classed as a fairly minor repair. I would be unlikely any insurer would scrap a car just for this (cat C/C). Chances are that a lower part of the door was damaged so the authorising repairer would say fit a new skin. I had it done on my Peugeot and it was done very professionally. This was done through the other partys insurance and is quite normal for all the large insurers to do this - its economical. If the repair was done through an insurance company it would be recorded. Try asking your own insurer to see if there are any records of it being done. You could even ask the previous keeper about the history

If you are worried about the level of your repair, take it to a well reputed body shop and ask their opinion. They may wish to take the door pads off (which they will charge you) to have a good look inside the doors.

Hope this helps

Robin the Technician

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Sat 1 Oct 2011 21:28
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 Match - What is a VW door made of? Accident damage coverup - subfrequenz

Thanks Robin,

I managed to get a second opinion and it just looks like whoever did the respray didn't fit the panel properly ie didn't make the most of the built in adjustment on these types of doors! Will ask my insurers though, worth a go to see if they have any information.

Dan

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