Having only having my Fabia TDI estate for a couple of weeks now I am still finding it a fantastic car,the more I drive it the more I like it.

But I have noticed one thing and that's rust on the inside bottom of the tailgate,I thought the bodywork was galvanised?,as it's on the inside I will clean it up and put some Hammerite paint on it.

I bought some oil for it as I needed to top up,got it from Romac in Heanor,Derbyshire.

Miller XFE-PD 5 litres

Would that rust problem not be covered under the warranty?

But I have noticed one thing and that's rust on the inside bottom of the tailgate,I thought the bodywork was galvanised?,as it's on the inside I will clean it up and put some Hammerite paint on it.

Is the car second hand? Sounds like it's either been used to transport something long, sticking out from under the boot lid, and this has scraped off the paint AND the zinc plating, or perhaps it was slammed shut once upon a time onto something that's had the same effect?

Shouldn't be a problem otherwise, though... Seeing how it's "invisible", I reckon your Hammerite solution will do fine if it's not covered by a warranty...

There are a few small bubbles of rust under the paint on the tailgate of my 01 fabia estate as well. :(

The bodywork has had no damage which would have taken off the zinc.

I have emailed Skoda to ask if the problem will be covered. :confused:

Just had email back from Skoda asking me to call into local dealer-Clock Spondon- and let them have a look at the problem and a possible fix-cure.

Will let you know the outcome.

I have been to Clock and it seems it should be covered by the warranty.

A member of staff at Clock took digital pics of the problem and then I had to go to the VW dealer who does the paint/body repairs and the staff said there was a fault with the paint.

So it seems I might get sorted out.

I will keep you posted.

My boot is rusty underneeth the number plate lights,I only found it when a bulb went.

I think most owners will find rust in this spot tho TBO, buy thr time you find it, it's to late.

how long is the anti corrosion warranty on these things?

The warranty on the bodywork is 10 years,so anyone with this problem should get down the dealers and get it sorted out.

The guy at the paint shop said they had sorted lots of Fabias out that have gone rusty where the glass meets the body on the tail gate and these have gone from the inside.

So give yours a good look over and check out for the dreaded rust.

Cheers mate, I will give it a thorough once over again.

Hmm , mine 'celebrates' 7 years on the road in February , I best keep my eyes open for this!

Hmm , mine 'celebrates' 7 years on the road in February , I best keep my eyes open for this!

Just remove your number-plate lamps (as if to change a bulb) and you'll spot it

I have had the estimate for the repair and it's just short of

Skoda now playing a bit hard to get,they want to have the paint measured to see if it's original.

They were only going to repair the rusty bits,but will now replace the whole tailgate as long as the paint is original.

Has anyone else had a go at getting repairs done on this problem?

Skoda now playing a bit hard to get,they want to have the paint measured to see if it's original.

They were only going to repair the rusty bits,but will now replace the whole tailgate as long as the paint is original.

Has anyone else had a go at getting repairs done on this problem?

if they are to exchange the tailgate for a new one (skoda factory painted) your skoda warranty will cover it for next 10 years (for that particular part).

a friend of mine have had the similar problem, got the tailgate re-painted at the local dealer's workshop and...lost his 10 years warranty as it was no longer factory painted...he was given only 1 year warranty from the dealer...wierd world, isnt it?

talking about the tailgate, there is one "rusty" problem that occurs under the number plate. Incorrectly fitted plate hits the body when you close the boot and after some time you can see small chips on the bodywork. I have done an easy trick with the window seals on both undersides of the plate. Just in case...

I got a call from Clock garage yesterday to let me know Skoda have given the go ahead for a complete new tailgate on my TDI Fabia estate 2001 model.

I will let you know how the job goes.

As I have said before check yours out and if you have rust get down to your dealer.

Got the TDI back today complete with new tailgate,a job well done by Parkway VW Derby.