how much rust is possible in a year? dodgy MOT?

[help101]

2005 transit just had a catastrophic MOT, chassis was crumbling in mechanics hands and MOT basically unsafe to carry out.
Have only owned for 4 months.
Previous MOT failed, then passed after some welding.

Current garage think past MOT must have been bent/ fake, as this level of rusting seems unlikely.

Trying to work out whether I have any grounds to take this up with the seller so my question is:
could this much corrosion happen in a year (it's barely been driven)
the owner before last seller was very into surf boarding/ spent lots of time at the sea - this would accelerate the corrosion I assume?

[metalworker0]

Dunno , pictures of the rust would be nice

all the best.mark

[knobby1]

Trying to work out whether I have any grounds to take this up with the seller so my question is:
could this much corrosion happen in a year (it's barely been driven)
the owner before last seller was very into surf boarding/ spent lots of time at the sea - this would accelerate the corrosion I assume?

They tend to rust more when not driven, especially with all the salt and crap they thrown down on the rads, if living by the ocean it just makes things worse.

Come and live in Australia...no rust issues down here. My 2008 Mk7 LWB still looks new underneath.

Lord Knobrot

[MinorMatt]

2005 transit just had a catastrophic MOT, chassis was crumbling in mechanics hands and MOT basically unsafe to carry out.
Have only owned for 4 months.
Previous MOT failed, then passed after some welding.

Current garage think past MOT must have been bent/ fake, as this level of rusting seems unlikely.

Trying to work out whether I have any grounds to take this up with the seller so my question is:
could this much corrosion happen in a year (it's barely been driven)
the owner before last seller was very into surf boarding/ spent lots of time at the sea - this would accelerate the corrosion I assume?

I bet it was sold because it was driven in salt water then... in which case a crumbly chassis underneath is a distinct possibility. I believe the DVSA limit for reassesing MOTs based on the amount of corrosion is 6 weeks?

Unfortunately I think its a case that you have been done up like a kipper - but you are highly unlikely to get anywhere seeking redress so maybe best to chalk it up as as a learning experience and move on

[richardstubbs]

I believe the DVSA limit for reassesing MOTs based on the amount of corrosion is 6 weeks?

It's 3 months, but unfortunately that's still less than 4 months. Seems like the OP's MoT was actually a year ago though, which is why he / she is getting a new one.
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/problems-with-your-test-result

I was chatting to my MoT man (good guy - council test centre) about these when he was retesting mine after almost interminable welding (again) and he said that the one he used to own just got away from him in the end and he couldn't keep up with the welding so had to throw it away. He does live pretty near the sea, but I'm always amazed how much mine has rusted in a year.

So it can happen but 4 months is a very short time to have had it. Certainly might be worth going back to the seller. Probably why it was sold.

[scas]

my second last mk6 passed its first 3 tests with no rust issues at all, then the fourth on needed nearly a grands worth of welding on the inner sills, foot steps, chassis was rotten above bump stops and rear spring hanger area. it also needed a 250e certification from an engineer to say it was safe to drive. so yes it can suddenly happen within a year

[Altransit]

my second last mk6 passed its first 3 tests with no rust issues at all, then the fourth on needed nearly a grands worth of welding on the inner sills, foot steps, chassis was rotten above bump stops and rear spring hanger area. it also needed a 250e certification from an engineer to say it was safe to drive. so yes it can suddenly happen within a year

Exact same thing for my Mk6. Two passes without drama, and then on the 3rd test the MOT man advised scrapping, due to heavy rust everywhere.
I needed the van urgently, so I paid over a grand to get it welded and through the test, but only scraped through the following year, so it had to go.