VW 50185 Entire Vehicle and Parts Weather Resistance - Test Requirements

The “VW 50185 Weather resistance of the entire vehicle and its parts - Test requirements” standard, developed by the Volkswagen automotive company , describes the requirements for testing the outdoor weather resistance of the following:

• All vehicles
• Internal components
• External components
• Certain components in the engine compartment
• Charging accessories for private use (not for public use)
• Add-on parts installed on the vehicle

This standard applies to the development and monitoring of production conformity of tools, parts and materials. In particular, this standard includes:

• Textiles
• Fiber materials
• Sandwich composite structures
• Coatings (e.g. protective coatings and decorative coatings)
• Movies
• foams
• Metals
• polymers
• Cam
• Ceramic
• Natural materials (e.g. leather, wood)

Outdoor corrosion resistance is usually tested on all vehicles. When testing parts, appropriate aging should be ensured based on the installed position and temperature scenario in the vehicle by using appropriate auxiliary structures.

The test areas provided by Volkswagen must be tested for outdoor abrasion resistance for a period of 2 years. The selection of the test area is up to the person responsible for outdoor abrasion at the relevant brand. In consultation with the brand coordinator or the person responsible for outdoor abrasion at the relevant brand, the purchaser must select one of the following test standards for each vehicle project:

• Dry, hot climate
• Humid, hot climate
• Dry, hot and humid, warm climate

Defects should be evaluated according to the evaluation key in the annex of this standard (Annex A).

These complaints should be tracked according to the following categorization:

• C0 complaint: This complaint is allowed to occur but must be documented.
• C1 complaint: A complaint made within the first year must be resolved. A complaint made after the first year is allowed to proceed but must be documented.
• Complaint B0 to A1: The complaint must be resolved.

To meet outdoor weatherability requirements, none of the following complaints are allowed to occur on vehicles, components or parts during testing, depending on their categorization:

• Part deformations in the form of dimples, waves, undulations, offsets, gap changes.
• Colour changes, brightness level changes, non-uniform brightness change or haze. For assessment using the grey scale degree according to standard EN 20105-A02, the following requirement applies as a guideline for assessing a uniform change in brightness:
  • GS ≥ 4,5 in the first year of outdoor wear
  • GS ≥ 4,0 in the second year of outdoor wear
  • GS ≥ 3,5 from the third year of outdoor wear

An area on the part that is completely covered throughout the entire wear can be used as a reference to determine the GS.

• Inadequate secure fit or altered adjustment or actuation forces or altered noises
• Material decomposition
• Breakage of bond (delamination)
• Cracks, breaks or holes
• Inadequate function
• Corrosion
• Recurring or unremovable deposits of scale or efflorescence in conventional customer use

Requirements for extended resistance to outdoor abrasion must be met for specific materials and parts in accordance with the table given in the standard.

For the preliminary assessment of outdoor abrasion resistance using simulation methods, the requirements according to standard DIN 75220 apply. Outdoor abrasion resistance must be verified by outdoor abrasion of components and parts installed in vehicles in outdoor abrasion areas used by the Volkswagen Group.

Preliminary assessment of resistance to outdoor corrosion shall be carried out in accordance with this standard, for example on complete parts or components in an unassembled condition. If assessment of resistance to outdoor corrosion is carried out for the “Start-up release” stages, the supplier shall inform the purchaser of the material and commercial type.

If new materials, new production methods or new production locations are used, the supplier must carry out a preliminary assessment using short-term test methods according to the table given in the standard before any open-air abrasion tests are carried out by Volkswagen Group brands. These are part of the initial sample inspection report and the building sample inspection report.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services are also provided to businesses in accordance with the "VW 50185 Entire vehicle and parts resistance to outdoor conditions - Test requirements" standard.