Importance of checking MOT History for evidence of chassis corrosion

[Barclaybasher]

I recently bought a 1988 Renault Trafic Autosleeper with no current MOT - but as always I checked the MOT history - no red flags - no corrosion

I took it to be tested - it passed without any work at all and no advisories

The tester said "These are normally rotten and need welding but yours is rock solid underneath" - he was surprised, I was delighted

I might sell it on and have been checking similar vehicles on ebay - most had failed through extensive rot in the chassis at sometime and had been welded - one was recorded as such in 2006, not been on the road since 2011 but passed its next test in 2020 first go - with just 1 advisory - undersealed - a big red flag

Another similar, really clean camper looked great with fresh paint 'cambelt just changed' - no mention of the history of chassis/body repairs shown in the MOT history, again undersealed

Mechanics on old vehicles can usually be repaired, rot in the chassis not so easy and even more difficult in a camper or motorhome

 

[pampam]

Barclay basher, ive just discovered being able to do this on dvla site , and you are right there are loads that have suffered from corrosion , whereas once i wouldnt have known now i can check (so if you see something that is undersealed would you give it a wide berth?)………… sorry im not mechanical

 

[Grummyb]

If its freshly understated I would be asking questions and working my way along the chassis with a magnet but if it's old underseal then it's probably ok my 2000 transit is under sealed but was done a long time ago and the chassis is absolutely solid

 

[zedman]

I wouldn't worry to much about the underseal.... they come out of the factory full of it.
Corrosion is only picked up on an mot if it reqs welding, the problem is if it's been welded to death before the mot there's no mention of that on the mot history if passes.
so something with a clean history could be rotten as hell !!!!

 

[Barclaybasher]

I wouldn't worry to much about the underseal.... they come out of the factory full of it.
Corrosion is only picked up on an mot if it reqs welding, the problem is if it's been welded to death before the mot there's no mention of that on the mot history if passes.
so something with a clean history could be rotten as hell !!!!

Checking the history is just a guide.

I just pointed out that underseal after a (MOT) history of corrosion is a red flag

Especially fresh underseal on an old van and needs investigation.

I 'specialise' in old motorhomes - at present I have 3 - a 1988, a 1991 and a 2001 - all have MOTs

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[Barclaybasher]

One of my sons showed me an advert for a 1998 Japanese sports car - looked great.

I checked the MOT history it had failed its MOT 5 years before with extensive corrosion to 4 areas of the floor and the front cross member.

At that time the mileage was 160,000 miles.

5 years off the road and it magically passed its MOT, no advisories and a mileage of 90,000 miles,

My son was keen to offer £5k for this car (advertised at £7k) - unseen! telling me that the previous mileage must have been kms - if that had been so it would have registered 100,000 miles not 90,000

Either the car had been extensively repaired or was a 'ringer' - a stolen car using the ID of a scrapper

 

[zedman]

To be fair.....most vehicles have there weak spots as far as corrosion goes and the ones that have been done proper by a good welder will last another ten years.......then you've got the ones that have been done by a blokes mate on his drive in the rain !

 

[pappajohn]

Once worked with a bloke with a 1.6 Sierra.
Year after year it cost £400 to £450 for MOT repairs.... mainly welding.
Some folks never learn.