240 estate MOT failure corrosion advice?

atlantean · Feb 25th, 2019, 10:59

Just took my 240 GL estate for an MOT, failed on 2 corrosion points. suspension mounting offside rear and nearside rear wheel arch. Was a bit surprised as there was no mention on last years MOT (different owner) about anything rust related. Had a look myself and admittedly doesn't look great but wondering if anyone here with experience would confirm if it's really that terrible.
Guy also said their welder said it would be at least 500 quid worth of work which seems a bit excessive, never had to tackle this kind of problem before though so I don't know.

What do you think?
Also if anyone knows a reputable, reasonable welder in South London or anywhere in London that would be fantastic
many thanks

Clan · Feb 25th, 2019, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantean

Just took my 240 GL estate for an MOT, failed on 2 corrosion points. suspension mounting offside rear and nearside rear wheel arch. Was a bit surprised as there was no mention on last years MOT (different owner) about anything rust related. Had a look myself and admittedly doesn't look great but wondering if anyone here with experience would confirm if it's really that terrible.
Guy also said their welder said it would be at least 500 quid worth of work which seems a bit excessive, never had to tackle this kind of problem before though so I don't know.

What do you think?
Also if anyone knows a reputable, reasonable welder in South London or anywhere in London that would be fantastic
many thanks

That has been developing for the last 10 - 15 years or so , From your pictures none of that is structural , the jacking point may not be much good but certainly not a fail . a Fail can only be issued if it affects the actual chassis or is within 300 mm of a suspension mounting point . A car has to be pretty bad these days to be issued with a fail certificate . If you plan on keeping the car get it properly checked over and get the rust fixed . £500 is reasonable for this kind of work … It is not just welding it requires metal sheet to be constructed , bent and shaped .

john.wigley · Feb 25th, 2019, 12:28

I can't comment on the technicalities, 'atlantean', but would trust 'Clan's judgement in that regard. What I will say is that when my 745 failed its MOT in the same way, I was quoted a not dissimilar amount by a garage that I trust - not in London, I'm afraid - to carry out the necessary repairs.

I came to the conclusion that my car was not worth repairing, and have bought a V70 for what I could have paid for the repairs. The increasing desirability and value of two series cars may well justify the expense in your case however.

Regards, John.

atlantean · Feb 25th, 2019, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

That has been developing for the last 10 - 15 years or so , From your pictures none of that is structural , the jacking point may not be much good but certainly not a fail . a Fail can only be issued if it affects the actual chassis or is within 300 mm of a suspension mounting point . A car has to be pretty bad these days to be issued with a fail certificate . If you plan on keeping the car get it properly checked over and get the rust fixed . £500 is reasonable for this kind of work … It is not just welding it requires metal sheet to be constructed , bent and shaped .

Yeah, seen some horror pics of 240 corrosion and thought this was not near as bad. However The note on the certificate reads 'affects strength within 30cm of mounting' so I guess thats that.

Was thinking of getting another opinion & MOT at another garage as there was nothing mentioned last year, but obviously will need to face the repairs at some point.

AlexO · Feb 25th, 2019, 14:47

atlantean,

This is almost exactly the same case as I had a few weeks back when my 240 failed on rust (amongst other things) around the sill ends and jacking points. I queried it with the MOT chap since, again, it hadnt shown up on any other MOT for the life of the car and he simply said that they like to poke around a bit more under old cars these days. It seems to be something to do with the spirit of the rule changes aimed at getting old cars off the road in my opinion.

Anyway, it's certainly repairable from your pictures. My brother and I managed to do all the sheet metal work, prep and welding in a little over a day but judging by your pictures yours may require a little more time. With man hours and materials, £500 seems reasonable. Still a fair chunk of cash but a lot better than the £800+ I was quoted by the dodgy garage down the street.

Best of luck,

Alex

Nicholas Lewin · Feb 26th, 2019, 00:22

Atlantean (that's not a reference to a 19602 double deck bus is it?)

Glenn at GB Autos in Worcester Park is worth a try if you want a 2nd opinion/alternative

Good luck! Nick

honestjoe · Feb 26th, 2019, 07:34

Hi Atlantean..Same fail points for my old bertha last year..including two new tyres..two trailing arms (one fitted at time of mot) and a few bits and bobs came to £800..it sure hurt at the time to hand that over..as said before this is old school garage repair work and metal has to be cut and fabricated.all takes time and labour while all the computer cars are piling up outside on the forecourt..Some places wont do this work..I was lucky my local garage agreed to do it but the price reflects the reluctance.All that said its just a bad memory now and glad to still have my 240..regards hj.

atlantean · Mar 13th, 2019, 09:56

Thanks everyone for the advice.
Found a great local old boy welder who took one look and did the job for 100 quid. Flew through the MOT, but only after the garage charged me £120 to replace the window washer motor and fix one of the rear number plate lights (!)

Stephen Edwin · Mar 13th, 2019, 12:09

Welding. Cushti.

Washer pump and number plate light. EEK at that price. Both are simple jobs. There is a good fit pump widely available for peanuts now. And a quick fix is to redeploy the rear screen washer pump to the front while waiting for the new pump.

Good that the MOT is passed now.

.

atlantean · Mar 13th, 2019, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

Welding. Cushti.

Washer pump and number plate light. EEK at that price. Both are simple jobs. There is a good fit pump widely available for peanuts now. And a quick fix is to redeploy the rear screen washer pump to the front while waiting for the new pump.

Good that the MOT is passed now.

.

Yeah, I was so preoccupied with the corrosion notes I forgot about these two things that were also fails. Was on the last day in the retest time so just had to do it, didn't think it was going to be that much.

Went to a place called Mech Weld in Catford, South East London. Guy name of Martin

Feb 25th, 2019, 12:28	#3
john.wigley VOC Member since 1986 Last Online: Yesterday 23:59 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicestershire	I can't comment on the technicalities, 'atlantean', but would trust 'Clan's judgement in that regard. What I will say is that when my 745 failed its MOT in the same way, I was quoted a not dissimilar amount by a garage that I trust - not in London, I'm afraid - to carry out the necessary repairs. I came to the conclusion that my car was not worth repairing, and have bought a V70 for what I could have paid for the repairs. The increasing desirability and value of two series cars may well justify the expense in your case however. Regards, John. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana .....

Feb 25th, 2019, 14:47	#5
AlexO Senior Member Last Online: Jan 5th, 2024 11:50 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Portsmouth	atlantean, This is almost exactly the same case as I had a few weeks back when my 240 failed on rust (amongst other things) around the sill ends and jacking points. I queried it with the MOT chap since, again, it hadnt shown up on any other MOT for the life of the car and he simply said that they like to poke around a bit more under old cars these days. It seems to be something to do with the spirit of the rule changes aimed at getting old cars off the road in my opinion. Anyway, it's certainly repairable from your pictures. My brother and I managed to do all the sheet metal work, prep and welding in a little over a day but judging by your pictures yours may require a little more time. With man hours and materials, £500 seems reasonable. Still a fair chunk of cash but a lot better than the £800+ I was quoted by the dodgy garage down the street. Best of luck, Alex __________________ 2008 V50 2.0D R-Design @ 175K Previously 1992 Volvo 240 SE Estate B230F/M47 (was AW70) @ 200K (I wish I could've kept him)

Feb 26th, 2019, 00:22	#6
Nicholas Lewin newish member Last Online: Nov 7th, 2020 23:35 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: London	Atlantean (that's not a reference to a 19602 double deck bus is it?) Glenn at GB Autos in Worcester Park is worth a try if you want a 2nd opinion/alternative Good luck! Nick

Feb 26th, 2019, 07:34	#7
honestjoe MY 240 DRIVES ME! Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 05:46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ashford kent View Photos By: honestjoe	Hi Atlantean..Same fail points for my old bertha last year..including two new tyres..two trailing arms (one fitted at time of mot) and a few bits and bobs came to £800..it sure hurt at the time to hand that over..as said before this is old school garage repair work and metal has to be cut and fabricated.all takes time and labour while all the computer cars are piling up outside on the forecourt..Some places wont do this work..I was lucky my local garage agreed to do it but the price reflects the reluctance.All that said its just a bad memory now and glad to still have my 240..regards hj.

Mar 13th, 2019, 09:56	#8
atlantean New Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2020 02:03 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: London	Thanks everyone for the advice. Found a great local old boy welder who took one look and did the job for 100 quid. Flew through the MOT, but only after the garage charged me £120 to replace the window washer motor and fix one of the rear number plate lights (!)

Mar 13th, 2019, 12:09	#9
Stephen Edwin Premier Member Last Online: Oct 26th, 2023 20:42 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thurrock	Welding. Cushti. Washer pump and number plate light. EEK at that price. Both are simple jobs. There is a good fit pump widely available for peanuts now. And a quick fix is to redeploy the rear screen washer pump to the front while waiting for the new pump. Good that the MOT is passed now. .

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