If I decide to keep my vRS long term, I'll probably treat any suspect areas with a Waxoil' treatment.

Can members with some of the older original Fabias inform me/us as to where rust...if any...appears to be bubbling through?

I have seen the tailgate on the estates going into holes, but not the hatchbacks.

Apart from that I've not personally seen any rust riden Fabia's.

I did my sills just for piece of mind

Bubbling - boot lid, mainly by number plate reccess bit (on my estate).

Rusting - by infront of rear wheels, between the wheel arch and the end of the sill. Just above the writing on the sill - both sides have a tiny little bit.

Also on the rear door, in the corner of the window nearest the front - got a small patch there (although I suspect this is damage related as not on the other side).

Apart from those 3 patches I haven't seen any that you wouldn't expect on any other car - ie. the manifold etc. That's on a 2001 car with 100k miles on it. Not sure how well it is cleaned etc, but has full service history so I imagine it was cared for.

SWMBO's and my Mother's 04 plate Fabias are both starting to rust on the bottom of the front wing on the flat part in front of the sill.

Currently trying to persuade SUK that it is rust coming through the wing and not a paint adhesion issue which is what they said it was.

This area is a mud trap so it is worthwhile clearing it out once in a while.

plates around the batery bay, a good idea to put some grease on the bolt to stop it seasing as they tend to.

I'm forever cleaning green fungus out of the window seals, but no rust showing through yet.

I might start mow anyway by taking the wheel arch liners out and clear the bottom of the wings per exAudiSi's comments.

Yeah, it's very isolated and one one window only, so I reckon it must have been hit by something or damaged somehow. The others are fine.

Yeah, it's very isolated and one one window only, so I reckon it must have been hit by something or damaged somehow. The others are fine.

Any chance of a close up piccy.... at your convienience of course...of the rust on the sills Triggs'?

Not too sure if access is available at the point I think you're talking about.

SWMBO's and my Mother's 04 plate Fabias are both starting to rust on the bottom of the front wing on the flat part in front of the sill.

Currently trying to persuade SUK that it is rust coming through the wing and not a paint adhesion issue which is what they said it was.

Have we all got an extended beyond 3 years anti perforation warranty then?

Too late dark and cold to be going out there fishing around for the documents now. :no:

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Mr Ree

Any chance of a close up piccy.... at your convienience of course...of the rust on the sills Triggs'?

Not too sure if access is available at the point I think you're talking about.

Tomorrow I shall try and get one up. At uni till late so light might be an issue, but will try. The blue cars not mine btw.

And warranty is 3 years for rust and 12 years from paint bubbling/raising with underneath. That's what I last heard unless they changed it over the last month or two.

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

Tomorrow I shall try and get one up. At uni till late so light might be an issue, but will try. The blue cars not mine btw.

And warranty is 3 years for rust and 12 years from paint bubbling/raising with underneath. That's what I last heard unless they changed it over the last month or two.

Nah, don't be going out there in the cold now Triggs'. It's not THAT urgent, but I'll curse you in the morning if bubbles have appeared overnight though!

I'll dig my folder out in the morning and check the body warranty.

Hope it didn't need annual check ups stamping in the service record.

My 2001 fabia has a bad rear offside wing, but I think it is due to a poor repair as it started to go back in 2005'ish and I got it done then at a bodyshop (that I won't be using again thanks to the rust returning! ) and the nearside rear arch is still fine.

My car's 9th birthday is next month - She's getting on a little bit now.

Once rust starts its almost impossible to stop, just a tiny grain left in your nicely repainted area and it will be back. I have never yet seen a permanent rust repair, I think jasons has done well lasting as long as it has. The only permanent solution is to cut out the infected area and replace the panel.

And warranty is 3 years for rust and 12 years from paint bubbling/raising with underneath. That's what I last heard unless they changed it over the last month or two.

Sure that's the right way round? I thought it was 3 years paintwork and 10 years anti-perforation ...

Passengers side - not really visible due to the light and my crap camera. Also a tiny amount in the first place.

As promised.

The rust lives just in front of the wheel, by the mud flaps.

Drivers side.

Blurry close up of the window rust (no marco mode on my phone it seems!)

Same thing front a distance.

As you can see, it's not a huge amount - has stayed at roughly the same level since we got it as we treated it as soon as we got it.

Anyway, hope that makes it easier to see what I'm on about. If you want/need better pictures let me know and I'll use a better camera.

Most helpful Triggs'.

Seems all the rust shown is adjacent to dirt / water traps, i.e. rubber seals and wheel arch liners.

How the hell would you replace a sill on a Fabia if it got really bad btw, as it appears to be all part of the rear 1/4 panel.

Yeah, it is in water traps. Had to scrap it clean with the sole of my shoe before the rust was visible - doubt thats helping matters oddly!

And the sill runs as once piece of metal all the way around the rear doors, along the roof line and only stops at the front wing. (Can see it continues up in the 3rd picture)

Don't reckon that be an easy job!