VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables

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Wed 23 Jul 2025 19:52
VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables - Steveieb

Rip off Britain today highlighted the increasing problem of rats chewing and eating the soy based cables used on modern cars.

They highlighted the VW Transporter where the owner was refused a warranty claim which cost her £1500 in total to fix . The attack happened twice .

Another car highlighted was the Vauxhall SUV .

Id like to know when soy based cables were introduced ? And which manufactures adopted them ?

But the remedy seems to be to spray with rat repellant .

This must be a massive problem in Birmingham with the waste collection strike .

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Thu 24 Jul 2025 11:10
VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables - John F

Here's a bit of info....

www.box-kat.com/blogs/box-kat-blog/full-list-of-ca...a

.....and here's another use for old engine oil (scroll to 2 minutes in....not for RSPCA viewing!...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3MXIUp-AN0

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Thu 24 Jul 2025 11:44
VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables - Engineer Andy

Possibly rats, but could be mice.

Back in the 90s when I was living at my parents' house, my newly-bought (but 2yo) Micra experienced 'gnawing' on the plastic 12V battery casing, and a cheapo nylon or similar golf bag of mine had its bottom pocket eaten open, with all the contents spilling out onto the garage floor. Unfortunately for the diners, it only contained golf balls and tees.

Odd why they seem to be attracted to oil-based plastics and fibres. Not as though they smell of food.

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Thu 24 Jul 2025 12:40
VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables - paul 1963

Part of the problem is rodents teeth don't stop growing, constantly gnawing is a instinct in order to keep there teeth at a reasonable length.

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Thu 24 Jul 2025 16:35
VW Campervan - Rodent damage to cables - bazza

Big problem with VW I've read and many owners resort to further protecting exposed wire with trunking. An annoying problem, but little hope of vag group forking out under warranty, the financial state they are in!

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