Thought I would do a rust buyers guide for the Mk3 for anyone who is looking to buy one. Remember Kids, I bought this car so you don't have to Right the car, a 1996 GTI Colour Concept. From the outside a nice looking GTI with a good very service history and mileage of about 120k. Ok onto rust. We all know (hopefully) to look over the bodywork for rust. random scabs on doors ect. are too common. But a very common place - The tailgate. The plastic arch kit on the Mk3 is a terrible design and holds moisture against the bodywork, also the front wings holds dirt at the bottom often causing the wing to rot out. So upon removal..... Next sills.. Upper, where the rubber door seal meets at the bottom. Lower, at the front jacking points (note this cars sills have been bodged up earlier in life). Lastly Floors.. The rubber bungs in the floors let moisture in causing them to rot out. These are just common places but Mk3s can rust everywhere.
Do bear in mind that this isn't always the case, I have a 1.6 1997 which only has rust where the lacquer has been broken and not attended to. they can rust, but proper care can avoid it! And always give it a good going over before you take her home.
That is a bad one. I've had a rear arch, door sill hole, rear floor grommets, and need a front drivers wing. Checked most other places and seem ok so far.
That is an extreme example...very unlucky to have it so bad... Mine only had the rear floor rot (now patched)
that is a rusty mk3 but that is exactly were they rust.they also rust underneath the bsttery tray ontop of the chassis leg.i have a mk3 gti 16v and the car is very clean to look at. but they all have rust sumwhere u just got to find it.
Hey, sorry to jump in here. Any of you guys know a reputable workshop in the Oxfordshire area that I can get some welding done? Sills are looking a bit rusty and I don't really want my car bodged! For the record, my 96' 8V has had front wings replaced as were rotten at the bottoms, tailgate - obviously, and have some bubbles just above the windscreen. What's the best way to tackle those before they get out of control? Thanks
Mine has gone in all the same places, although not quite as extreme. Currently going through a complete strip down and also found top of the door / winscreen pillar , across the roof where the screen seals, under battery tray. Worst by far is the holes in the floor though. Those rubber plugs must be the worst design ever
I have a 3 door Mk3 non sunroof 1.4 in Storm Grey with absolutely zero rust.I am only the second owner.The first was as fastidious as me hence the condition and it being garaged for most of its life. Do you think someone would be tempted by this to swap mechanicals into?It does have ABS and airbags fitted from the factory.
As much as it pains me to point out (yet another) rust spot on the Mk3: Front turret That is a bodged repair over quite an extensive hole
Any chance of getting original photos re-upped? I'm getting broken links for all but front wing and sill. Cheers!
I can see all the images. 1) General pic of a mk3 2) Tailgate above handle/ lock 3) Underneath plastic arch @ rear (fuel filler side) 4) ".............................. " @ front 5) Where sill meets door seal 6) Bottom of sill where jacking point is 7) Floor behind front seats Add locations from what I've seen: - Top of front windscreen - Middle of B-pillar - Drivers door below the window - Underneath tailgate round the rubber boot for cables & washer hose - Under the body in between jacking point & driver footwell
Thanks for this post found helpful, the car im going to look at doesnt have plastic trim on and the guy says its solid (yeah I believe him...) Dont want to rip the car apart in front of the guy but would like to look at the floor.... wondering if the carpet just pulls up or if I need to undo some bolts behind the seats
You'd probably be able to get a good idea by just looking underneath it where the drain holes are. A couple in each floorpan, front and back. If you can see any blisters in the under seal around them then it'll need some welding done. I'm in the process of welding up mine! Have a look at the inner sills too, particularly where the jacking points are. Damage or rust probably won't be all that visible on the outside but could be a nightmare from underneath.
Jesus!!! I'm off to look at one on sunday thats been parked up for 2 year (inside a garage). I'll check all those places!!!! Thanks!!!
