Bonnet/front wing gaps

[TheRacingRat]

Maybe I’m being fussy, I know it’s not a hand built car or anything and I can live with it, I had a Alfa GT before so used to not great build quality, gaps on the left are a lot more evident maybe 2-3mm in differences to the right where the bonnet seems a tighter fit, is this the norm? If so then fine. Or is mine just a lazy job

[POLO Clive]

That looks horrible mate, both sides look wrong, on the right hand side the gap between headlight and wing is also way off.

[POLO Clive]

Here are mine for reference.

[SRGTD]

Maybe I’m being fussy, I know it’s not a hand built car or anything and I can live with it, I had a Alfa GT before so used to not great build quality, gaps on the left are a lot more evident maybe 2-3mm in differences to the right where the bonnet seems a tighter fit, is this the norm? If so then fine. Or is mine just a lazy job

You’re not being fussy at all. The gap between the wing and bonnet should be equal on both sides.

I had uneven panel gaps on both my mk5 and mk6 Golf’s, so I checked my current car very carefully on collection day before I left the dealer’s.

Take the car back to the dealer and get them to correct the gaps under warranty. Both my mk5 and mk6 Golf’s were fine once they’d been adjusted.

[TheRacingRat]

I have to give them a ring. Like I said never had a new car before so thought pre checks would have picked up this sort of stuff. I collected mine in the dark and in the rain! Can the bonnet be adjusted? I remember it was possible on my old mark4 escort. I guess the wings cannot be adjusted.

[SRGTD]

I have to give them a ring. Like I said never had a new car before so thought pre checks would have picked up this sort of stuff. I collected mine in the dark and in the rain! Can the bonnet be adjusted? I remember it was possible on my old mark4 escort. I guess the wings cannot be adjusted.

The wings on my previous generation Polo are bolted on, so I’m assuming it is possible to make minor adjustments by slacking off the bolts. The bonnet should also be adjustable if the hinge bolts on the underside of the bonnet are slackened off.

As you’ve said, you would hope that issues such as this are picked up and rectified as part of PDI, but sadly, as you’ve found, things do get missed.

It’s also easy for a customer to miss things like this though with the excitement of getting their new car, and if collecting it in the dark and in the rain.

[POLO Clive]

I have to give them a ring. Like I said never had a new car before so thought pre checks would have picked up this sort of stuff. I collected mine in the dark and in the rain! Can the bonnet be adjusted? I remember it was possible on my old mark4 escort. I guess the wings cannot be adjusted.

The bonnet, wings, bumper and headlights can all be adjusted, so there's no reason why it can't be made to look perfect

[TheRacingRat]

That’s good news, I’m not a particularly fussy but I would like to get it sorted. I have an annoying bump/knock noise coming from the drivers side rear shock area so will get them to look at both areas once I get the bumper replayed following my recent scuff caused by someone’s bad parking. Seems new car ownership isn’t as hassle free as I thought. Still enjoying the car tho.

[silver38]

If it's a new car, go on ERWIN register and pay for an hour, down load the body repair manual and you'll find all the information on body gaps, gaps and fit around all lights. Take it to the dealer and show the problem while referring to the repair manual.
I had this problem on a new MKIV Golf, it was really bad, told the dealer i wanted a new order and sent a letter to VW tellin them i did not expect the dealer to remanufacture the car to meet their spec.
Good luck with it.

[TheRacingRat]

Ok,I’ll have a look at that. Does not VW have access to the correct panel gap information then? Or will they tend to do it by eye?

[SRGTD]

Ok,I’ll have a look at that. Does not VW have access to the correct panel gap information then? Or will they tend to do it by eye?

The dealer will have access to the information needed to enable them to adjust the panel gaps to the correct width. I wouldn’t think they’ll do the adjustments by eye - they should have a panel gap gauge tool to check the gaps during and after they’ve made the adjustments.

[monkeyhanger]

Ok,I’ll have a look at that. Does not VW have access to the correct panel gap information then? Or will they tend to do it by eye?

The dealer will have access to the information needed to enable them to adjust the panel gaps to the correct width. I wouldn’t think they’ll do the adjustments by eye - they should have a panel gap gauge tool to check the gaps during and after they’ve made the adjustments.

They should also repaint the bolt heads they'll undo to make the adjustments, for anti-corrosion sake - doesn't gave to be a pretty job as no-one will see it with the bonnet closed.

They won't pay for door/opening adjustments after 6 months (as I discovered with an ill-fitting boot lid that required a slam to close it and was rubbing on the rear bumper) so get it in quick

[silver38]

If it's a new car, go on ERWIN register and pay for an hour, down load the body repair manual and you'll find all the information on body gaps, gaps and fit around all lights. Take it to the dealer and show the problem while referring to the repair manual.
I had this problem on a new MKIV Golf, it was really bad, told the dealer i wanted a new order and sent a letter to VW tellin them i did not expect the dealer to remanufacture the car to meet their spec.
Good luck with it.

In my case they wouldn't admit to anything until i came back back with the in formation from ERWIN. They asked how i had got it and admitted it wasn't correct and ordered a new car.

A good body shop can adjust and correct everything to spec.

[Simonz]

Maybe I’m being fussy, I know it’s not a hand built car or anything and I can live with it, I had a Alfa GT before so used to not great build quality, gaps on the left are a lot more evident maybe 2-3mm in differences to the right where the bonnet seems a tighter fit, is this the norm? If so then fine. Or is mine just a lazy job

You’re not being fussy at all. The gap between the wing and bonnet should be equal on both sides.

I had uneven panel gaps on both my mk5 and mk6 Golf’s, so I checked my current car very carefully on collection day before I left the dealer’s.

Take the car back to the dealer and get them to correct the gaps under warranty. Both my mk5 and mk6 Golf’s were fine once they’d been adjusted.

Agree - no offence but it doesn't look right, an obvious larger gap on the offside.

[Simonz]

Generally the panel gaps on the Polo are very narrow and precise, if you look at the side profile and the complex door creases and how it fits it is very impressive. If it is only the bonnet and headlamp area then it suggests it can be adjusted to correct standards.