Cracked panoramic roof? - Update!

[ExSEAT]

So I get in from work and the mrs tells me the pano roof on her monte carlo is cracked. Ive had a look at it, its cracked on the back corner about 4 inches long up to a black piece of laminate that I cant see through. The crack is inside the glass i.e. no damage to the outer layers onside or outside the car.

It was brand new in september, no-ones even been in the back of it. Theres no visible damage. It looks like a stress fracture, maybe from the glass flexing?

Has anyone seen anything like this?

Edited 27 January, 2017 by ExSEAT
Updated

[pfaff]

Whooops.

Exactly why I didnt order the glass roof.

Tho, I had to change the windscreen due to excessive cracks after two tiny stone chips. Insurance issue, but anyway I claimed there must have been some stress involved even if the glass is an integrated part of the bodywork.

[ExSEAT]

Yeah its not something I would have chosen but its her car.

Had a chamce to look at it in the light today. Theres no marks or scratches of any kind.

Will know better in a few days what happens next.

[CRASH67]

Not something ive noticed on mine but only a month old at the mo

[ExSEAT]

Not something ive noticed on mine but only a month old at the mo

The dealer said pretty much the same thing. Also said they couldnt see any physical damage to the roof that could have caused it. No doubt Skoda will see it differently.

Shes had the car since middle of September and shes done 900 miles in it (not the 500 I thought!)

[threadbear]

Have been thinking about an SEL estate with a panoramic roof from brand new. Having read this thread I think that I'll save myself £600! Could the crack be due to body flex?

On my Polo you can feel the body flexing and doors creaking when manoeuvring over uneven ground? Obviously glass is a lot less flexiable as one side of a metal box?

[CRASH67]

The dealer said pretty much the same thing. Also said they couldnt see any physical damage to the roof that could have caused it. No doubt Skoda will see it differently.

Shes had the car since middle of September and shes done 900 miles in it (not the 500 I thought!)

Well I've already clock up 2000 miles no issues.

In theory if there is not sign or of an external cause i.e... the damaged hasn't been occurred by some one or something, which by looks of your post there's no evidence to suggest this. You would have to think it's a warranty issue.

I wouldn't expect a car to create a stress crack in a panoramic roof.... that's why they test cars rigously before sale..

The glass seems a very big sturdy bit of kit, so perhaps took a knock in the factory... a few hundred miles and some bumps later a crack appears!!!

I would be disappointed if Skoda refused to sort with out some decent reason/evidence that it's not there thoughts.

Might be a wise to take pics and make notes too

[CRASH67]

Have been thinking about an SEL estate with a panoramic roof from brand new. Having read this thread I think that I'll save myself £600! Could the crack be due to body flex?

On my Polo you can feel the body flexing and doors creaking when manoeuvring over uneven ground? Obviously glass is a lot less flexiable as one side of a metal box?

Not something I'd agree with... the glass roof feels way more solid then the metal roof I had on my previous Fabia.

Whilst I see the logic in that thought... surely it would make sense to limit flex as that would increase risk of cracking.

I would say the pillars the surrounding part of the roof are more than sturdy enough to stop the flex.

I can defo say I've felt no flex in the Fabia

[ExSEAT]

Well I've already clock up 2000 miles no issues.

In theory if there is not sign or of an external cause i.e... the damaged hasn't been occurred by some one or something, which by looks of your post there's no evidence to suggest this. You would have to think it's a warranty issue.

I wouldn't expect a car to create a stress crack in a panoramic roof.... that's why they test cars rigously before sale..

The glass seems a very big sturdy bit of kit, so perhaps took a knock in the factory... a few hundred miles and some bumps later a crack appears!!!

I would be disappointed if Skoda refused to sort with out some decent reason/evidence that it's not there thoughts.

Might be a wise to take pics and make notes too

Pretty much my thoughts exactly, maybe worth noting that the glass has to be integral to the structure though and thus has to take some flex at least?

We can only wait and see. I wouldnt call it a reason not to have a glass roof though, from reading around almost every other instance has been as a result of a stone chip or external factor.

Seems odd this one has no physical damage and the cold weather has just started. For me, given that noone has been in the back of the car, its not been in an accident, theres no physical evidence of stone damage and its a month and ahalf old car I cant think of anything but defect.

[Octy0GG]

Thermal shock ? 

 

Not sure exactly what would have caused it but it's a possibility.

[ExSEAT]

Thermal shock ?

Not sure exactly what would have caused it but it's a possibility.

It looks like its either flexed or its tried to grow bigger than it should be, thermal might be a big aspect as it happened as soon as it got cold. Still waiting for the dealer to get back to us.

[Guest]

This will most likely be due to faulty roof panel manufacture. The roof glass layers haven't been bonded correctly causing some stress within the panel. It's that or the panel was stressed during fitting. After that the crack can show at anytime. Never detected even the slightest hint of flex in my Fabia's body. Skoda does say the new Fabia is lighter but considerably stronger than previous models. They use a high carbon steel with hardening to prevent flexing in all key area's. Hope you get it sorted ok.

[ExSEAT]

This will most likely be due to faulty roof panel manufacture. The roof glass layers haven't been bonded correctly causing some stress within the panel. It's that or the panel was stressed during fitting. After that the crack can show at anytime. Never detected even the slightest hint of flex in my Fabia's body. Skoda does say the new Fabia is lighter but considerably stronger than previous models. They use a high carbon steel with hardening to prevent flexing in all key area's. Hope you get it sorted ok.

Thanks for commenting. From my perspective there is no other explanation for it than defective glass but this is skoda we are dealing with!

We have been messed about a bit by the dealer, i.e. its been well over a month and no movement. I was leaving it to the mrs as theres no reason why she shouldnt be able to sort it. I had to go into the garage on saturday as I had the distinct feeling they were starting to derelict their duties. I was nice enough and was promised a call monday morning. It didnt happen so I called today and was rather more abrupt. Promised some action but told the car needs to go 50 miles away for an inspection. Fair enough I guess but no excuse for poor performance. I'll be making an appearance soon to make my exact sentiments clear to them!

[ExSEAT]

Update for you guys, Skoda have taken full responsibiltiy. I had to push and push the dealer but got there in the end. The car needs to go to a body repair centre 45 miles away but they will be picking the car up and leaving a loaner until its return. Still waiting on the exact date but the roof has turned up at the dealer and they apparently have no idea how they are going to get it the 45 miles to the repair centre, meh not my problem. Will be passing the dealer tomorrow so will call in and say hi and see ehy its taken so long! 

[ExSEAT]

Update for you guys, Skoda have taken full responsibiltiy. I had to push and push the dealer but got there in the end. The car needs to go to a body repair centre 45 miles away but they will be picking the car up and leaving a loaner until its return. Still waiting on the exact date but the roof has turned up at the dealer and they apparently have no idea how they are going to get it the 45 miles to the repair centre, meh not my problem. Will be passing the dealer tomorrow so will call in and say hi and see ehy its taken so long! 

[J18VRS]

As they should pan roofs are inherently strong , as long as there is no signs of external damage it should always be a warrantable repair. Surprised it's a body shop job tho normally any good glass specialists would be able to replace the pan roof. Just think of it being a windscreen on the roof no different .Glad it's getting sorted for you

[ExSEAT]

Hi! Yeah I was expecting something similar myself. I guess the place does both and are approved, unless they just pass it on to autoglass.

 

I was a little concerned as no information was forthcoming. Its also the first skoda warranty claim and the first time any dealer has ever taken photos and said 'we'll see'. Happily it will all work out in the end. 

 

I agree on it being a major component. It is taking up the slack from where the roof was so shouldnt be cracking. 

 

Now we just have to wait and see what kind of job they do on it!

[Ladydrivertoo]

I too have had this problem since June this year.  The panoramic roof  on my farbia has cracked internally. It had 8000 miles on the clock.   No external damage at all, the internal sunroof was drawn and I only use the car to travel to work 2 days a week with the odd shopping trip.  No one travels in the back

Skoda warranty have refused to pay out at the moment , but I'm fighting it.  The crack appeared after a very hot day, when my car was parked in the workplace car park.  Skoda have said the crack is caused by outside influences, but won't clarify what exactly that means.  The dealer has offered a goodwill payment  for approx 1/3 of the cost of a replacement, but I'm fighting to have it reaplaced under warranty, as the car was just under 2 years old

Edited 29 September, 2017 by Ladydrivertoo
Spelling mistake

[S00perb]

I had the same on my Pano sunroof in my Toyota - mind you a lorry had a little something to do with it

 

[S00perb]

For those who think glass roofs are not so cool - I Swear it saved my life. Looking at some of that thin metal sheeting that peeled back, I think the roof could have peeled down were it not glass.

And if you think MY car came off worse - nah - you should have seen the lorry!

Edited 30 September, 2017 by S00perb

[ExSEAT]

16 hours ago, Ladydrivertoo said:

I too have had this problem since June this year.  The panoramic roof  on my farbia has cracked internally. It had 8000 miles on the clock.   No external damage at all, the internal sunroof was drawn and I only use the car to travel to work 2 days a week with the odd shopping trip.  No one travels in the back

Skoda warranty have refused to pay out at the moment , but I'm fighting it.  The crack appeared after a very hot day, when my car was parked in the workplace car park.  Skoda have said the crack is caused by outside influences, but won't clarify what exactly that means.  The dealer has offered a goodwill payment  for approx 1/3 of the cost of a replacement, but I'm fighting to have it reaplaced under warranty, as the car was just under 2 years old

Sorry to hear you have had similar trouble. We were very fortunate it seems, there was a lot of deliberation but no arguing at all. I hope you can get a good resolution.

 

Glass is not a good topic in our house, my octavia VRS has just received a lovely arcing scratch on the windscreen from my wiper. Oh the joy.

[fabdavrav]

10 minutes ago, ExSEAT said:

Sorry to hear you have had similar trouble. We were very fortunate it seems, there was a lot of deliberation but no arguing at all. I hope you can get a good resolution.

 

Glass is not a good topic in our house, my octavia VRS has just received a lovely arcing scratch on the windscreen from my wiper. Oh the joy.

 

Ceriglass glass polish...basically a cutting compound for glass which does what it says..

 

https://carpro.uk.com/collections/glass-correction/products/ceriglass-glass-polish-cleaner

[ExSEAT]

Thanks for the tip! The way I feel its trying that or putting my foot right through it!

[alltorque]

7 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

Thanks for the tip! The way I feel its trying that or putting my foot right through it!

That's "Like slashing three tyres because one has a puncture", as they say. Deep breath, breathe and....off to buy some compound.