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Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

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Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired
Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Let’s just say that things weren’t looking good for this little city car when a Volkswagen UP came into the garage for its yearly MOT.

The issue? A decayed sill located on the driver’s side posed a risk of leading to an immediate MOT failure. Even though they may not seem important, a car’s sills are actually very important to the structure, particularly in terms of safety. Rust and corrosion can wear a thing down over time, and this one had clearly seen better days.

Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired
Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

We started working on the sill repair since we didn’t want the car to fail its MOT.

In order to repair the region and prevent future rust, our crew carefully removed the rotting section, treated it, and welded in a new section of metal to strengthen it. It looked brand-new after a little cleaning and a new coat of paint. What was the outcome? After a flawless repair, the VW UP passed its MOT and was prepared for another year of cruising Halifax’s streets.

Although it has only been available since 2011,
Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired
Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Of course, the Volkswagen UP has already established itself as one of the most popular small vehicles in the UK. It is well-known for being small, fuel-efficient, and having an unexpectedly roomy interior, making it perfect for city driving.

The UP stands out from other cars in its class thanks to its clever design, which gives it a modern and distinctive edge. It’s the ideal small runabout for travelling about towns like ours, and if you give it the proper upkeep and care, it should last for many years.

Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired
Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired
 Visit Pellon Autocentre if your VW UP

Or any model of car, for that matter—it needs some maintenance before it’s time for its MOT. We’re always pleased to provide you with reasonably priced and safe driving assistance.

Body Rot and Visible Holes – What Is Acceptable Under the MOT?

Rust. The silent enemy of many British cars.

Here in Halifax and across Calderdale, we see our fair share of it. Between wet winters, salted roads, and steep valley conditions, body corrosion is something that creeps up on vehicles — especially older ones.

One of the most common questions we get at Pellon Tyres during MOT season is:

“Will that bit of rust fail?”

The honest answer is: it depends where it is and how bad it is.

Let’s explain properly what is acceptable — and what isn’t — under the UK MOT rules.

Surface Rust vs Structural Rust

First things first.

Not all rust is an MOT failure.

✔ Surface Rust (Usually Acceptable) Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

If rust is:

  • Light surface corrosion
  • Not holed
  • Not sharp
  • Not near structural components

It will often pass.

A bit of bubbling paint on a wheel arch?
Surface rust on a door bottom?

That may look untidy, but it’s not automatically an MOT failure.

Where Rust Becomes a Problem: Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

The MOT test focuses on structural integrity and safety.

Rust becomes an issue if it affects:

  • Load-bearing parts
  • Suspension mounting points
  • Steering components
  • Seat belt anchorage points
  • Brake mounting areas

There is a key measurement used in MOT rules:

🚨 30cm Rule (Prescribed Area)

If corrosion is within 30 centimetres of:

  • A seatbelt mounting
  • A suspension mounting
  • A steering mounting
  • A brake component mounting

And it is severe enough to weaken the structure — it will fail.

This is known as a “prescribed area”.

Holes in Bodywork – When Do They Fail?

Visible holes are where many drivers get caught out.

❌ Automatic Failure If:

  • The hole is within a structural area
  • The metal is seriously weakened
  • It affects strength
  • It’s within that 30cm safety zone

For example:

  • Rust hole in a door sill near the seatbelt mount = likely fail
  • Rotten inner wing near suspension top mount = fail
  • Corrosion around rear subframe mounts = fail

When a Hole Might Pass: Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Surprisingly, not all holes are fails.

If the hole is:

  • In a non-structural outer panel
  • On a rear quarter panel away from mountings
  • On a door skin
  • On a bonnet or boot lid

And not sharp enough to injure someone, it may pass.

Cosmetic damage alone is not a reason to fail an MOT.

Sharp Edges Matter

Even if corrosion isn’t structural, if it leaves sharp metal edges that could injure pedestrians, that can result in a failure.

This often happens with:

  • Rotting wheel arches
  • Torn metal around sill trims
  • Jagged corrosion around panels

So it’s not just strength — it’s safety.

Why Sills Are So Important: Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Door sills are one of the most common MOT corrosion failures we see in Halifax.

Why?

Because they:

  • Support the body structure
  • Sit close to seat mountings.
  • Take impact stress
  • Are exposed to salt and water

A rusty sill within 30cm of a seatbelt mounting point is very likely to fail.

We’ve repaired many over the years to help customers get through their MOT safely and legally.

The Halifax and Calderdale Factor

Our local conditions don’t help.

  • Steep hills mean heavy braking
  • Valley moisture increases damp exposure
  • Winter grit accelerates corrosion
  • Rural roads trap mud under wheel arches

Cars living outside on street parking often suffer more quickly.

Underbody protection and early repair can make a big difference.

Advisory vs Failure

Not all corrosion results in a fail.

Sometimes you’ll see on your MOT:

“Corrosion to sill – advisory.”

That means:

  • It’s not yet serious enough to fail
  • But it’s developing

Advisories are a warning — ignore them, and next year it may fail.

Can Welding Fix It?

Yes — provided it’s done properly.

Repairs must:

  • Restore structural strength
  • Be properly welded
  • Not be plated over loosely
  • Be securely finished

A good, solid weld repair can return a car to a safe condition and pass MOT legitimately.

A poor patch job will not.

Final Thoughts: Volkswagon UP Sill Repaired

Rust in itself is not illegal.

But structural rust is.

Under MOT rules, corrosion becomes a failure when it:

  • Weakens load-bearing structure
  • Is within 30cm of key mounting points
  • Leaves sharp edges
  • Affects safety

If you’re unsure whether that rusty patch will pass, it’s always better to have it checked before the MOT.

At Pellon Tyres in Halifax, we’d rather advise early than see a customer surprised on test day.

Rust doesn’t fix itself.

But caught early, it doesn’t have to be the end of the road either.