Roof leak model range

Devaprem · Aug 27, 2025

Hello. Can anyone tell me what the year range within which the leaking roof bellows was happening? I realise that this is a well covered thread but that means that I've not yet found the answer after a lot of browsing. I'm interested in an 2023 California but I want to know if this within that range.

Also, it seems from reading the forums so far, this is not a fault that VW will honour under warranty. Any comments welcome on that.

Apologies in advance if this has been answered before!

Hawthorn37 · Aug 27, 2025

Our van is MY22 (delivered Feb 2022) and has the single bellows. Vans from July 2022 (MY23) and onwards may leak (double bellows).

Viktorgeorge · Aug 28, 2025

Hawthorn37 said:
Our van is MY22 (delivered Feb 2022) and has the single bellows. Vans from July 2022 (MY23) and onwards may leak (double bellows).

Devaprem said:
Hello. Can anyone tell me what the year range within which the leaking roof bellows was happening? I realise that this is a well covered thread but that means that I've not yet found the answer after a lot of browsing. I'm interested in an 2023 California but I want to know if this within that range.

Also, it seems from reading the forums so far, this is not a fault that VW will honour under warranty. Any comments welcome on that.

Apologies in advance if this has been answered before!

My MY23 Ocean was delivered new in 22 October 2022 with single skin bellows. I believe my factory build in early September 2022 was around two weeks before they changed to the new fabric.

So, anything up to first registration in October 2022 should be the old material but very soon thereafter they may have leaking issues.

As to warranty replacement, the relevant strings on the forum show different responses, so it is a judgment.

Many owners have found ways to work around the problem. The great asset of the forum is it gives knowledge so that a new owner is aware.

Flower Power · Aug 28, 2025

Mine built in mid October 2022 also came still with single layer canvas.

Nick from Bath · Aug 28, 2025

Only absolutely reliable way to know is to check the version fitted. Unlikely that the paper tag will still be in place on one of the internal front zips but the version can be found on the trickier to access factory label inside the pocket that houses the strengthening slats on either side of the bellows.

I've got O4S bellows after the 03S were replaced in the first tranche of leakers. They're not 100% but close. For really heavy rain, actual or expected, or even just colder nights, we still use the bellows covers - takes 5 mins to get them on max. Longer if you forget and have put the awning out first

Enjoy the van and don't worry too much about the bellows, if they're anything other than the 03S. At the time it was incredibly disheartening about the protracted versions to get it right, for something that really should be pretty straightforward but the plus sides of the California really do outweigh the negatives.

ParachuteMan · Aug 28, 2025

Mine is Oct 23, so MY23. I had the 03S bellows, slight leaking, replaced under warranty (no quibbles) in late 24 with 05S. No problems since and I used Aquatex spray on vertical zips and seams as belt n braces. The latest bellows iteration is 06S but there are no further upgrades. I believe that under warranty, VW will replace any leakers. Some dealer service managers will be rather jobs-worth, others will wave it through

Devaprem · Aug 28, 2025

Thanks everyone. Really helpful replies!

Up10 · Aug 29, 2025

ParachuteMan said:
Mine is Oct 23, so MY23. I had the 03S bellows, slight leaking, replaced under warranty (no quibbles) in late 24 with 05S. No problems since and I used Aquatex spray on vertical zips and seams as belt n braces. The latest bellows iteration is 06S but there are no further upgrades. I believe that under warranty, VW will replace any leakers. Some dealer service managers will be rather jobs-worth, others will wave it through

All versions are prone to leaking even the 06s.
The dealers are no longer permitted to test the bellows under a VW Group edict so please don't blame them for VW Group deficiencies.
How parts replaced under warranty, as ours was, and is no longer considered to be under warranty is highly questionable.
As @Nick from Bath said, enjoy the van, they are generally really nice vehicles. You will learn to get round the issues but it helps if you have a good workshop in the area.