Hi folks. My 2002 NB Phoenix has failed it’s MOT. Two refer to exhaust leak, a third to anti-roll bar link dust cover, BUT two refer to the front suspension, chassis and outrigger to sill, excessively corroded - is this the dreaded chassis rails? I’ve had the car 6 years and it’s mechanically perfect. When I bought it I sprayed chemicals into the chassis rails, and painted them, as I was aware of the potential problems, but this is the first time it’s come up on an MOT. Does anyone have an idea of the likely cost of welding required, as the car’s worth next to nothing, is it time to write it off? A real shame cos it drives perfectly. Any thoughts much appreciated, thanks.
If it is the front chassis rails then you will be into several hundred pounds. I have heard some really silly prices bandied about for this job & suspect they are quoting for solid gold ingot bars to be welded in place!!
At the end of the day, if the rest of the car is sound & it is worth the cost to you to have it for another few years then go for it.
Thanks for that. Garage were very reluctant to even quote for the job, said until they discovered the depth of the problem they wouldn’t know how much welding it will require. I’m just a bit gutted, cos I’ve been underneath the car several times and it’s all surface rust. Anyway, will wait and see what materialises.
It depends on exactly where the rust is, maybe some poking about with a big screwdriver and some photos will help.
If it is the front rails there are a couple of good repair panels that can be welded in for a ‘proper job’ or the worst can be cut out and it simply boxed in for an MOT pass job.
Personally I think the chassis sections are much cheaper to repair than sills or arches as there is no professional painting, just rust proofing afterwards.
I actually bought a mig welder and did them myself with a £40 sheet of steel. (But I had a few areas to do). Not pretty but solid and gained another couple of years use.
Loads of helpful videos. If you want a reasonable priced job maybe try one of the places that do ‘pre MOT’ work, a body shop specialist will do a better job but at higher cost.
It’s your car and your choice but I would not be scrapping it if it needed a couple of hundred on welding.
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Thanks for that. I have ramps so will have a look underneath and see where their screwdriver has been. I know the car inside out, done loads to it myself over the years, and it had new sills when I bought it, so I might go back and ask exactly where the corrosion is. I think I’ve just run into a super meticulous tester though, as tyres are only 2 years old and he listed one as being perished, and brake discs corroded after sitting for a week - what’s that all about, they’re made of iron, they all go rusty in a day or two! Think i’ll take it to another garage though, with a more easy going tester…he even listed all my suspension arms as advisories, corroded but not seriously weakened, even though I’ve waxoyled them all about 3 times in 6 years!!!
Corrosion to the front chassis rails is very easy to spot but strangely often missed at MOT time.
You can be sure that an MOT failure on chassis rails will be justified.
You know the car well so this is surely not a surprise?
If any doubt just post pics of the rails.
I would want a second opinion from a trusted MX5 specialist.
Thanks guys. I actually intend giving the car to my son, but now wary if the whole integrity of the car is in jeopardy. I’ll try and get a second opinion before I spend the value of the car fixing it.