Autobody customers are shocked by low-quality repair work
22 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 96% from r/Autobody.
“All depends if the rust is being considered in the sale price. Any reputable repair shop could fix that but they wouldn’t guarantee it. Rust is like cancer. I’m in N Michigan so road salt is a huge issue. Most shops here don’t deal with it because they know it’ll pop back in a…”
“There is no "worth it" for this kind of issue. At best you will pay someone to half ass repair it and in a couple months it will just be worse than it already is... but I've only been working auto body since 2003 so what do I really know?”
“Could you please shrink and crop that picture. It’s so big. [re: i can’t tell if this rust is bad?]”
Multiple users posted images of autobody repairs that appear substandard, with comments expressing dismay and suggesting the customer received a poorly executed job. Some commenters warn others to avoid purchasing vehicles with such repairs.
SOURCES (60)
“You know what though? For 300 not bad. I’ve heard this comment in this sub before - “If you pay little the job will be abysmal but if you pay a big price it should be flawless.” I paid $700 for a recent repair and…”
“More photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPUEAaDqxhWhktbr7 How bad is it? Thanks submitted by /u/poppadompitom [link] [comments]”
“Could you please shrink and crop that picture. It’s so big. [re: i can’t tell if this rust is bad?]”
“I mean it's not rusty but based on the beat to shit bedside it's the least of your problems [re: i can’t tell if this rust is bad?]”
“Youre gonna drive 3 hours to see this and this is the only shitty picture they gave you? [re: i can’t tell if this rust is bad?]”
“😂😂, i’m just trying to see before i take the 3 hour drive over there [re: i can’t tell if this rust is bad?]”
“Per seller vehicle quarter panel was backed into, still skeptical just because rust is everywhere here though lol. [re: How cooked is this? Salvageable?]”
“Looking at a project vehicle soon (in the rust belt). Is this quarter panel something that can actually be repaired? Rust was cut out of the spare tire well per listing (see second photo). Thank y'all. submitted by /u/n3wngr [link] [comments]”
“I think it's not cracked, only rust flakes coming off ? look closely [re: how bad is this rust?]”
“I wouldn’t mess with the frame rust, personally I’d just drive it and then sell it and move into something else down the road. That being said, that rocker looks salvageable with doing most of what you wanted to do. I wouldn’t fuck with the door. The rocker you can make unnoticeable pretty easy. Good luck. 😎 My [re: First timer looking for guidance]”
“Or it's rusting already and the dumpster wasn't exactly a recent event. I figured rust removal would be covered under cleaning, but that is admittedly a bit vague. [re: Are these worth fixing? Who should go to?]”
“As a general rule it’s not worth paying someone else to fix rust. The exceptions are classic cars/trucks on a full restoration at an actual restoration shop. Best bet is generally just to do it yourself or have a friend do it. It’s honestly not that hard to do since all you are doing is repeated tacks. But make sure to cut an inch or two into good metal. If you don’t weld to good metal the rust will come back….. and it is a lot of attention to detail.. [re: Is it worth paying a shop to fix rust?”
“Just bought this car and wondering how bad the rust situation is and if it's atleast patchable as i'm only planning on keeping the car a few years submitted by /u/Exciting_Pin_674 [link] [comments]”
“The prices on here are crazy. Mercedes dealers did a similar repair in magno grey matt for £800. BMW main dealer full new roof skin and full respray was £8000.”
“You are finding out why it’s not very common to do this kind of work. No one wants to do it or pay for it.”
https://giphy.com/gifs/BFYLNwlsSNtcc Fellow Michiganders.
“All depends if the rust is being considered in the sale price. Any reputable repair shop could fix that but they wouldn’t guarantee it. Rust is like cancer. I’m in N Michigan so road salt is a huge issue. Most shops here don’t deal with it because they know it’ll pop back in a few years. If it’s a great deal I’d consider it. If not, then walk. Look for a southern vehicle and drive it home.”
“Pay $20k for a clean one, or pay $10k for this one if that’s all you can afford, but know that the cost to fix all the rust that you see (and don’t see) will be well more than your $10k purchase price.”
“Looking to buy a dream car of mine, but its got some rust on both rear quarter panels and a little on side skirt. Am i looking at a very expensive repair for this? Im mechanically inclined but not a body guy.Im located in ontario, canada. Just trying to assess if this is a bad purchase or not. Thanks submitted by /u/Justlookingforgains [link] [comments]”
“I mean, it's less visible and it's covered so shouldn't rust now, so I'd say that's worth the money and better than before. Depends if you had plans to fix it properly, then it's wasted money, but if good enough and not getting worse was the aim then it's perfect.”
“https://preview.redd.it/b4q0ytwm9trh1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b11f33b06b725548c5b13c0e0c14c21c2d6bcaf4 Any sections like this should be inspected for integrity. Try stabbing it with a large screw driver. It should feel like what metal on metal contact feels like , solid, maybe a ding / ring if there’s no sound dampening, if it thuds, feels soft or punches through, definitely pass.”
“Nah that’s too crusty to buy. Surface rust is one thing, and being in the salt belt I’m no stranger to it, but even I would pass on something that looked like that.”
“Just got told that I should look for another car by a garage, I live in a costal town in the uk if that’s any help to the reason that it looks like this. submitted by /u/Agitated_Remote2182 [link] [comments]”
“bro look at the video u got a literal whole caused by tapping on ur frame its cooked”
“Took it to the shop and don’t know how much it would be to fix it submitted by /u/Royal-Bedroom-4071 [link] [comments]”
“its done , end of life unless you want to spend $$$$$$$ having new steel welded on , then its probably rotten everywhere else too”
Yeah I’m in the rust belt. Jeeps that sit don’t last long
“It's got the wrong 5.9 in it to be worth the effort it would take to get it decently cleaned up.”
“Hey all! Could use your help on this one. Took my car to someone who claimed to have over 20 years of experience in automotive repair. Brought the car in for rust repairs around one door handle and fender flares. Agreed that he would «spot» paint and blend the paint. Got the car back with what I believe are horrible results. Running paint and orange peel. Looks like overspray with primer around the door handles. And no the «primer» doesn’t come off. Is this normal for this kind of repair? Is thi”
“Cancer vehicle. Dont invest no more in that vehicle. Also fixing this is a called a Widow Maker. If your asking then you you shouldnt be trying to fix. Hire a professional to tell you the same thing”
“Does this rust look bad? The metal is solid so I’m just wondering. submitted by /u/Agitated_Remote2182 [link] [comments]”
“Look underneath at the subframe. This is just the rust you can see at a glance. Rust takes lots of time and $$ to cut out and replace with new metal. What can you do yourself vs what the car is worth.”
Just my opinion but $3k in any country ain’t fixing that.
“Yeah @ that price it should come with a solid warranty too. I would expect no bondo as well. New metal welded for 3 grand. That's what I'm paying to have mine fixed similarly”
“Id say so. Depends how long you want to drive that car. At that price, everytging should be perfect. Little bondo, paint matching with no overspray and no imperfections.”
“After being quoted $800, I was thinking of DYIingwith with sanding and filler after studying YouTube clips. However, I just realized maybe that gash may be filler vs. paint coat and the rust may be more widespread? How bad do you think the rusg will be underneath? Bigger than a 3 inch hole? submitted by /u/Helpless_Confused [link] [comments]”
“Get rid of it, buy another car without rust and RUSTPROOF IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Spending $100 annually for rustproofing is alot cheaper than $10k for rust repair.”
“I will ask him what he used to treat it post grinding it down. Thank you for the insight!”
“There is no "worth it" for this kind of issue. At best you will pay someone to half ass repair it and in a couple months it will just be worse than it already is... but I've only been working auto body since 2003 so what do I really know?”
“That car is close to or at the end of its service life due to rust. Im sure the undercarriage is also fairly rusty. I would not invest anything into that vehicle and begin searching for another. Good tip for prevention, get your new vehicle undercoated with a lanolin based product. My 2002 Tahoe (winter truck) in the rust belt is nearly spotless.”
“Honestly I’d be looking to get rid of this one… would not want to be in this van if it were to be rear ended”
“no i just paid for the deposit under the condition it is repaired properly. the car dealer said he will bring it to outside autoshop and get it fixed”