Body and structure failures are the ones that decide whether an older car is worth keeping. Cosmetic rust isn't an MOT item at all — but corrosion within a prescribed area, near a mounting point or on a load-bearing member absolutely is.
Body and structure failures are the ones that decide whether an older car is worth keeping. Cosmetic rust isn't an MOT item at all — but corrosion within a prescribed area, near a mounting point or on a load-bearing member absolutely is.
The important distinction is 'excessively corroded' versus 'corroded'. The first is a failure; the second may only be recorded as an advisory to warn you where the car is heading. On a car over ten years old, that advisory is genuinely useful information.
Here's what the common body and structure wording means, and when it's worth getting a proper welding assessment rather than guessing.
Excessive corrosion in a prescribed area
Corrosion within a load-bearing or safety-critical area has weakened the structure. Prescribed areas include the regions around suspension mountings, seat belt anchorages, steering components and the load-bearing structure itself.
Full explanation of Excessive corrosion in a prescribed area
Body has a sharp edge likely to cause injury
There's an edge on the outside of the car that could injure someone — typically rust that's eaten through an arch and left a jagged lip, or accident damage that's left torn metal exposed.
Full explanation of Body has a sharp edge likely to cause injury
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