Underside Rust Hole Pics. How bad is this?

[Outdoor Hero]

Hey there Folks,

I'm new to T25s and to the forum so please bear with me if the pics don't come through first time. Many thanks in advance to those who read this and those who help.

I'm looking to buy my first T25 and have been to view a likely candidate. It's A Reg, and has just come through an MOT last week with no advisories. However, there's this patch of rust and a hole in the underside that made me stop and think.






It's just forward of the nearside rear wheel and the pipe you can see is the sink overflow (or so i was told). So please correct if I'm wrong but it appears to a hole in the chassis just in front of the strut that connects the rear axle to the chassis (I am certainly no mechanic, so forgive me if the terminology is incorrect). I took a T25-owner friend with me, he was an invaluable source of advice and spotted the hole but he's not a mechanic or welder. He advised me to take some advice before purchasing.

So is this a structural area? Should this have been mentioned as an advisory on the MOT? I guess I'm a touch suspicious (this might not be my best attribute but it could save me some money!)...

How much might this cost to get repaired and how soon might it need to be done?

I hope there's enough info to go on here, and I'd really appreciate any advice that anyone can offer me. Thanks in advance.

Joe

[1664]

So is this a structural area? Should this have been mentioned as an advisory on the MOT? I guess I'm a touch suspicious

I'm no expert either but I'm fairly certain it is at neast an advisory just by being next to a jacking point.

You've posted in the wrong forum by the way; this should really be in 'Bodywork, Seats and Glass' rather than 'Mechanical'

Don't panic though, a mod will probably show up and move it

[Ian Hulley]

That's within a prescribed area and should be a straight fail.

[Outdoor Hero]

Many thanks Kronenberg.

Should I try to move this myself?

Joe

[1664]

and that means the MoT is toilet paper. I'd walk away..........
Whereabouts are you and where's the van?

[Outdoor Hero]

Wow, thanks Ian.

Can I ask if you're absolutely certain of this? I'm prepared to defer to anyone's expertise...

I was a bit suspicious by the fact that the guy had it MOT'd between my first and second viewings and referred to his 'mate at the garage'...

Another thank you to anyone who can offer advice.

Joe

[1664]

Should I try to move this myself?

you can't - a mod will do it

[macccityrocker]

Im no expert, but surely being so close to the jacking point this should have had an advisory at least, lets not forget these vans weigh a bloody lot, try and find a tame mechanic to look over it before you buy, remember there are plenty of others just be patient, Good luck Steve W..........

[Outdoor Hero]

Hi 1664.

Both myself and the van are in Kent. Besides this, the van seems to be lovely (engine and interior).

However, engine and interior can go to hell if the chassis falls apart!

Thanks to you both for responding so quickly.

Joe

[Ian Hulley]

and that means the MoT is toilet paper. I'd walk away..........

Run Forrest Run !

[1664]

Im no expert, but surely being so close to the jacking point this should have had an advisory at least

err.................I did say that

[Ian Hulley]

The rear cross member and (more importantly) rear trailing arm outer pivot point are just behind the jacking point.

[Outdoor Hero]

Great. Another reply. Thank you Steve.

I'm quite relieved my suspicions have been confirmed. That's very naughty of that MOT centre!

My search must continue then...

Joe

[macccityrocker]

Sorry indeed you did, but i type so slow, that reply took me 3 weeks to complete...............

[Ian Hulley]

http://www.ukmot.com/appendixC.asp#tad

4. Failure criteria
To assist with the assessment of corrosion sections 2, 3 and 5 of the manual identify the parts of the vehicle structure which are particularly important and to which particular attention must be paid during the inspection.

These are:

- The load bearing parts of the vehicle to which certain testable items (as specified in section 2, 3 and 5) are mounted.

- Any structure or panelling which is supportive to either the component mounting or its load bearing member within 30cm of the mounting location. eg. In the examination of a seat belt mounting on an inner sill, consideration must be given to the outer sill, door pillar, floor panel, wheel arch or any other supportive structure within 30cm of the component mounting point.

Section 6 of the manual deals with structural cracks, fractures, damage or corrosion not within the 'prescribed areas'. Any part of a load bearing member, or load bearing panelling within a 'prescribed area', should be rejected if it is weakened by corrosion to the extent that

- by finger/thumb pressure it does not feel rigid, or

- it crumbles to leave a hole, or

- The Corrosion Assessment Tool

. penetrates, or

. causes the metal component to crumble or disintegrate

(see section6.5 for the vehicle structure not within a prescribed area).

Severe distortion means distortion considered to reduce the strength of a component mounting, supporting structure, panelling or load bearing member significantly.

aka fecked.