Bodywork query - Rust on sills

[OpenToSuggestions]

Hey all.
My Focus has rust coming on the sills (yes....a Ford with rust!).
The car is a 57 2007 on 89,000 miles and has previously had some work performed at my expense to sort out the rear dog leg where stones had battered it, where the very bottom corner of the rear door meets the arch. The arch sticks out and is exposed.

The current issue is the sill is starting to rust, which is in a different place to the previous work. Only the smallest hint of brown, but I intend to keep hold of this car for ~3 years yet.
I am visiting Ford 10AM tomorrow. They asked about paint checks on the phone and that the body corrosion is only for 6 years.
Which route should I take. Is it tough **** pay for work myself or should Ford fix this free? The car was owned by my Dad before me and has never had any accident repair work. Car in very good overall condition.
No paint checks since ~64000 miles. All main dealer services aside from last one, which was a garage that shares the same site and mechanics as main dealer in Burton On Trent.

TLDR: 2007 Focus. Rust appearing on arch.

Question: What approach should I be taking?

 

[Iamzod]

I'd do a DIY repair on that personally, I don't think it's that unusual for corrosion to start to appear at that sort of age.

 

[Hades]

Rust warranty for 6 years. Rust appears after nearly 7 years. Unfortunately you will have to suck it up and get it fixed yourself.

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

I've always said that if ever I were to buy a new/nearly new car then I would protect it myself. Ironically the most rust free car I own is my 72 Beetle as I waxoiled it when I was restoring it, it's a shame car manufactures use poor metal and little to no protection in areas. What's even more bewildering is why cars are still being built with rust traps in them!

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Any further comments before I visit Ford?

 

[telewebby]

thats inside the wheel arch and open to stones/water/rubbish getting thrown at it. i would hold much hope. is it surface rust or corrosion? the 2 are different

Alex

 

[Jokester]

Is there something about relatively modern Focus'? It's the only type of car I see about the place that has any rust issues these days.

 

[mattyfez]

Is there something about relatively modern Focus'? It's the only type of car I see about the place that has any rust issues these days.

I think its more a Ford/Paint quality thing, my old 2001 Fiesta started getting patches in all the usual places, sills, arches, boot seams under the rear lights after about 7 years, I now have a 2001 Volvo (it does however have much better fitted plastic inner arch liners)... there's not a patch on it anywhere, neither were garaged.

 

[Third Opinion]

Is there something about relatively modern Focus'? It's the only type of car I see about the place that has any rust issues these days.

I must admit I have seen quite a few Ford Focus around 2000-2004 with a fair bit of rust around the rear arches.

Although I can't say I have seen any later ones display any.

 

[Amos91]

The image of Fords rusting that sticks with me is around the fuel filler cap on KAs. They love to fall apart!

 

[Deleted member 66701]

Old ford never die, they just rust away.

And that's coming from a Ford nut!

I had two new sills and a wheel arch repair panel done on my Cosworth last Spetember - it's not expensive, a shade under £500 iirc. Well worth doing imho if you're planning on keeping the car - fixing bodywork is just the same as any other maintenance.

Before (sill had already been plated at the previous MOT):-

After:-

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

thats inside the wheel arch and open to stones/water/rubbish getting thrown at it. i would hold much hope. is it surface rust or corrosion? the 2 are different

Alex

It is surface corrosion afaik.
I want to catch it early "A stitch in time saves nine".
I only bought the car as my Dad had owned it since 6 months old and took good care of it.

My 1992 MX5 has not got any body rust on it!

Ford told me there is a backlog on warranty queries and aim to get back to me early next week. I will give them 1 week then give them a call back.