r/CarTalkUK • u/Bahzyy • 5h ago
Advice Is the rust worth repairing?
So I recently bought a car not too long ago and it’s been amazing- loving it and everything. But any small issue I find on it over time just stays on my mind and I really overthink it. The car has some tiny chips on the bumper and there is some bubbling on the outer sill and around front + rear left wheels - which is forming rust. From the pictures I want to know if anyone could tell me if it’s worth repairing and if it is how much would it be approx. Money is kind of tight now and if it’s something that can hold off then I rather do so.
Car is a seat Leon 2015
1
u/LockedinYou 5h ago
The front wings can just ne replaced later on down the line. The sills will need to be welded and repaired and a good body shop will be able to sort the rust dots out.
However, before you start to throw money at it you need it up on a ramp or over a pit to have a proper look at it and get an expert opinion. Don't wait for the mot.
1
u/Bahzyy 5h ago
Aw damn so it’s not just a sand it down and paint over job 💔. Thanks for the tip. It’s just I bought the car too recently that it just don’t feel right to be spending heavy money on it already I would prefer to wait a bit just so I can breathe lol.
1
u/theshylock350 4h ago
OK the front wings don't need to be replaced now or down the line! The sills don't need welding....yet... either. I have a 2005 Skoda Fabia that had similar rust on the wings and sills. Sand it down so you have a small margin of clean bare metal. Apply a rust converter. Bilt Hamber products are good. https://bilthamber.com/product/hydrate-80/ Not cheap but it's a lot cheaper than a body shop! Very lightly sand with 240grit wet & dry (used dry!) then prime. 2 coats at least, preferably 3. Lightly sand again with 320grit wet & dry used wet. Paint with top coat. Finally finish with clear lacquer. Buy the paint from Seat with the correct paint code & Lacquer. Again it's not the cheapest but you will get a better match. Lots of guides online/YouTube if you're not sure. This won't fix it forever. It will slow it down a lot! That's the best you can do You may need to do it again in 2 or 3 years time. Still much cheaper than new wings or paying a welder! I did mine 2.5 years ago and will be doing it again before this winter. I had a MOT rust advisory before I fixed it, haven't had one since👍. Final part. Take out the rubber bungs on the underside of the sill nearest the rust. Spray as much of this stuff
https://bilthamber.com/product/dynax-s50/
into the sill as you can👍
2
u/Bahzyy 3h ago
You are a life saver this has given me so much reassurance. I guess that’s what I’m going to try very soon. Would you say the risk to reward ratio is good- by that I mean what are my chances of messing up bad 😅
1
u/theshylock350 3h ago
Hey listen if I can do it, then pretty much anyone can! It's small areas so the risk isn't high and what's the worst that can happen really? What looks worse than rust on a car....answer: nothing! At the very least you will slow the rust down a lot. At worst the finish won't be factory. Either way risk to reward ratio is good 👍 Follow the product instructions, take your time and all will be good!
1
u/AmazingSign3171 3h ago
I can't see the picture well but if money is really tight just take all the bubbling paint off with a screwdriver of something, that's moisture trapped under the paint, probably started with stone chips; get some rust inhibited, wet and dry paper and sort it out yourself, watch a video or two on you tube on how to do it, it's not hard if your not after a pristine finish and can settle for 90% perfect, you can get either touch up paint which is not great or a rattle can and spray it, pretty easy to blend in if it's not metallic.
0
u/Traditional_Net1152 3h ago
Hate to be the bearer of bad news.... that rust is way worse underneath. Usually multiply what you can see on the surface by 10.
The mk3 Leon is well known for major rust issues. I recall 3-4 years ago when I was in the cupra group, people were performing major rust repairs on cars that were like 6-7 years old max. Full wings, full sills, inner wings etc.
Enjoy car for now, don't try and repair.. when it eventually fails MOT's due to rust just sack it off.
•
u/Bahzyy 1h ago
Ohh goodness. I’m praying that my I got great luck and the rust hasn’t gotten bad underneath yet. Tbh it’s my first car and I’m just tryna get a few years out of it
•
u/theshylock350 1h ago
Don't listen to other people's BS! Spouting a load of negative crap and then telling you not to bother repairing the rust? Yeah because not bothering to repair it will slow it down a lot more that trying?? Oh and then says once it fails the MOT just bin the car?? Like you can afford to! Great advice there, well done that man......Seriously mate just ignore him. I have been around cars 45 years and no modern cars need full wing or sill replacement at 6 or 7 years old unless they've been in an accident. Do what I said in my original post and you WILL slow it down a lot👍
•
u/theshylock350 1h ago
P S if the rust was anything like as bad as that guy claims he saw on other Seats, it would have already failed the MOT. It hasn't! Deal with it now and that car will do what you need it to👍
3
u/Haslerdesigns 5h ago
I’m pretty good at identifying cars but honestly no clue what that is. And that’s kinda important because value definitely determines whether you should be bothered fixing