paradilly

Thanks for all the replies on this guys. So it looks from the comments that it is indeed an issue. From what you have said about the non VRS and from what I have seen on the nons I reckon its deffo to do with the torque, ive even seen a couple of y plates with immaculate sills.. Looking at the poll too, Yes - quite a bit (1 votes [5.56%]) Percentage of vote: 5.56% Just a bit of paint starting to flake off/surface rust (10 votes [55.56%]) No rust what so ever (7 votes [38.89%]) It seems its more the norm than not. Interesting what holmesie said, Skoda told me to naff off with mine. Now im wondering of all those who have repaired theirs, how many have had the rust come back through..... Thanks again!

Hi All, Would really appreciate a response on this. I recently purchased a Fabia VRS Mk1. I didn't check at the time (as I really didn't expect it) but noticed the paint had started to peel off the sills and the surface was starting to rust. Unfortunately I wrote that car off but now find myself after another Furby. Blessed with the knowledge of things to look out for on them now when looking for another I have been to see two (a 56 plate and even an 07!) and both had this issue of the paint peeling/surface rust on the sills. I'm now wondering, how common is this on the VRS? Taking notice I have seen a couple of old Fabias from a distance (y plate, non VRS) and could not see any rust which you would expect to be really bad so is this just a VRS thing? I would be really interested to hear some feedback on this, its stupid but its really putting me off buying one. Assuming I find one without this issue I'll want to adorn it with mudflaps and smother in Waxoil from the off.... Cheers all.

Oh and P.S. I agree, the second I get mine sorted its mudflaps all the way, may spoil the looks a bit but I can live with it... Hate that large ping sound as a stone bounces off, makes me shudder

Thanks again for the response. That sounds exactly like mine! It looks like the underseal has peeled away, the surface rust has started creeping and in turn caused further paint to flake away. Little update, I have since noticed that there are tiny bubbles at the back of the sill near the rear wheel too so it makes me more believe that this is the result of inside out. I have emailed my local Skoda dealer to see what they come back with. Maybe its these terrible winters we have been having that are to blame but still.... Will keep you all updated if I hear anything back.

Absolutely however I would tend to agree with rbaldwin that it does actually look inside out.... Ill see what they say and post back.

OK, Thanks for all the kind replies. I think Ill take rwbaldwins advice first and take it to the Skoda dealer (there is one in the town I live). Failing that, thanks vrsburks, sounds just the ticket and not too far away from me. It does kind of worry me though as if it is inside to out then the problem is likely to reoccur.... Thanks again.

Sorry, this newb didn't know how to upload photos so have drop boxed them, hope this isn't against the rules Here is a pic of the rust and the car as per 16:22 post. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25046007/2013-05-07%2017.42.59.jpg and https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25046007/2013-05-24%2016.18.18.jpg

@vrs'burks I stupidly (from your name) assumed you were from Berkshire, don't ask, I know, /slaps self across face, I'm not normally that stupid (Berks is even spelt differently than burks FFS ) however I notice you are in South Yorks, if you can recommend that bodyshop I'd be a really happy bunny if you could tell me which one it is. Was from Sheffield but now living in Chesterfield so hopefully not that far away. Also, did they grind and treat etc. or just respray? Cheers matey.

@matt1chelski again thanks, good to know i'm not the only one (and I mean that in the nicest way guys n gals, I feel for your rust blues, I do) just thought maybe Id dropped on one with a particularly sinister past so its kind of good to know that it hasn't been totally mistreated etc. You guys are convincing me to get the work done and keep it (which is what I really want to do inside)

Thanks for the replies already guys! If it wasn't for how this car puts such a smile on my face with the torque and the mpg I'd be quick to get shut but I love it far too much @vrs'burks - good to know I'm not alone in this one..... I think I'm just being paranoid about how it will spread but as stated it does appear to be the very suface, I wish I lived near you so I could take it there! The cost is much more than I expected but unfortunately I don't know any other body shops that I trust. I got a quote from these guys as I know they did a great job when a fool backed into one of my previous cars. The question is, how do I find a shop that will do a great job at a reasonable price? I don't want anyone doing a c*** job.. @rwbaldwin - Pics attached (hopefully) EDIT: Two posts down, couldn't work out how to attach . The image does actually make it look worse than it is being a close up with a bright flash. You can probably see how its almost as if the paint has peeled off rather than the rust breaking through. As you can see from the other shot, you can probably expect why I never in a million years expected to find that lurking underneath the sill since the rest of the car appears to be so well looked after, not even a parking dent and the car reeks of someone who has cared for the car, it even has almost all of the optional extras... @softscoop - I've read about this but I think it may be too far gone/should have been reported earlier. I have emailed Skoda with my dismay so maybe I'll hear something back, of course Ill keep the community updated. Thanks again guys for your responses, its nice just chatting with nice people willing to share, great community!

Hi All, I have recently purchased a mark 1 Fabia VRS (after recommendations on here and from my brother ) The car appeared to be mint, an 06 plate with 71k genuine miles and full service history, mainly skoda with last two at a dealer, mechanically spot on. It was not until I washed the car for the first time last week that I noticed there is some rust that appears to be from stone chips behind the front wheel (mainly first foot but a couple of bubbled towards the rear of the sill). Now I know what you are going to say, buyer beware and I know I have been silly for not checking but my brother who knows a bit about cars also didn't check for this as we really wouldn't expect it on an 06 plate Skoda from a dealer, especially with how well the rest of the car has been looked after. I'm a bit of a worrier by nature and this has now taken the edge off the car that I fell in love with (I really do love it that much ). What would you guys do in this situation? I have had a quote from a (extremely) reputable company for the work to be done (ground back, treated and resprayed) for £500. When looking at the work to be done they claimed that the rust is not due to bad accident repair as they could tell all the lines were done by robot and they did say they hadn't really seen anything like it on a Skoda of that age. A search of the internet also doesn't really come back with any real issues with rust. The technician at the body shop also stated that the metal was really solid and it was only the surface. The bottom line is that I can afford to have this work done at this time, I really love the car otherwise but would like readers opinions of what they would do in this? Should I get the work done and risk that it wont come back that quick (being a Skoda and the job being done well) and keep it or should I have it done and trade it in quick smart (I can afford that too at this time) and cut my losses (likely £1500)? Please give me your opinions, its causing me sleepless nights :(, any feedback much appreciated Great site, thanks guys.