Corroded Rear Sill And Mot

[jaguarsimon]

Hi,

I have a 1994 Corolla. It's MOT is due soon and I've just discovered a large rusted hole at the bottom of one of the rear sills right at the back which I presume will be an MOT failure.

Can this be repaired by welding plates onto it or does it need new sills which I guess would be a lot more expensive?

The car is worthless I guess and I use if for my dog walking business so it's disgusting inside and out, but it's so reliable I don't mind spending a few hundred pounds getting it through the MOT.

Thanks,

Simon

[Rattus]

Hi Simon.

The sill should be repairable with welded plates. Cost is variable as it's down to who does the job. I've had sills welded on my previous car (Rover 214) and I found a place that charged £50 for 3 plates (where I've been charged £50 for 1 plate in the past).

Replacing the sills is an option, but again cost is down to who does the job (and how well). I have patched the sills on a Austin Metro (ended up looking like a patchwork quilt) only to find out a few weeks later that a motor factor could have supplied replacement outer sills for £10 each (quite a few years ago tho').

If you like the car and like you said, it's reliable, a couple of hundred is still cheap for another years motoring.

Cheers

S2

[mcorban]

Stu,

i never remember seeing an Austin Metro without welded patches on it :D