Mk1 Focus - MOT subframe rust advisory

[VR99]

My focus went in for an MOT, passed with a few advisories for tyres and the slightly more concerning one: "subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6(a)(I))"
The MOT tester suggested that I have someone take the rust off or treat it..something along those lines.
My plan is to move the car on in around 2 months, how much of a showstopper is this rust advisory in a private sale? I accept the car is a shed (54 plate) but has full service history with the docs/invoices to back it all up and last 10 years under my ownership so hoping I can get something for it when it comes to selling.
My next car will come from a main dealer or car supermarket so could p/x it but assuming they will offer me 50 quid as a "favour" to take it lol so would rather sell privately..though not keen on the pondlife it might attract.
Finally if the surface rust isn't that bad how much would a garage charge to treat/remove it? If it's not worth the cost or hassle I won't bother.

[bungz]

On a subframe wouldn't bother me, can be swapped or sanded back and treated.

The "structural" stuff puts me off any shed purchase.

[VR99]

bungz said:

On a subframe wouldn't bother me, can be swapped or sanded back and treated.

The "structural" stuff puts me off any shed purchase.

That's reassuring to know. How big a job is sanding down subframe rust?

[bobtail4x4]

VR99 said:

That's reassuring to know. How big a job is sanding down subframe rust?

if you need to ask, huge.

[oakdale]

VR99 said:

bungz said:

On a subframe wouldn't bother me, can be swapped or sanded back and treated.

The "structural" stuff puts me off any shed purchase.

That's reassuring to know. How big a job is sanding down subframe rust?

That advisory suggest to me that it means the floor/bodywork around the subframe mounting, get it cleaned up and looking nice then get a new MOT before you sell it.

[Scootersp]

VR99 said:

That's reassuring to know. How big a job is sanding down subframe rust?

Drive it on ramps, jet wash or hand wash (scrubbing brush)all the subframe mounting points. Look at the rust/metal left, are there any cavity sections etc?

Research dinitrol etc products and treatments, then, arm yourself with wire brushes and decent ppe and prepare the area well and apply your choice of protection (a good rust off phosphoric acid based prep is good prior to paint/sprays). If you do it in the dry (and obviously allow any cleaning to dry thoroughly) you can't really leave it worse than it is now.

If it looks bad to you after cleaning pop a picture up and ask for opinions. Very very few people look under their cars so it's only really mot testers/mechanics that might see it and so you don't have to be anyway near body work quality, take you time and clean/prep well.

[VR99]

Thanks for the input guys.
Had a think about this, wife's car is available to use towards a p/x for next car so think I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a new(used) car but move the focus on without any work being done and take the hit on the potential sale price..given its a 16 yr old car negligible anyway? Would a main dealer or car supermarket even bother giving me anything for my focus with the surface rust advisory and it's age? For context will be spending ballpark £10k on my next car.

[Chris32345]

VR99 said:

Thanks for the input guys.
Had a think about this, wife's car is available to use towards a p/x for next car so think I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a new(used) car but move the focus on without any work being done and take the hit on the potential sale price..given its a 16 yr old car negligible anyway? Would a main dealer or car supermarket even bother giving me anything for my focus with the surface rust advisory and it's age? For context will be spending ballpark £10k on my next car.

I'd think most places wouldn't even take it in part exchange
It's probably worth scrap value to most places now

[VR99]

Chris32345 said:

VR99 said:

Thanks for the input guys.
Had a think about this, wife's car is available to use towards a p/x for next car so think I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a new(used) car but move the focus on without any work being done and take the hit on the potential sale price..given its a 16 yr old car negligible anyway? Would a main dealer or car supermarket even bother giving me anything for my focus with the surface rust advisory and it's age? For context will be spending ballpark £10k on my next car.

I'd think most places wouldn't even take it in part exchange
It's probably worth scrap value to most places now

My other niggling worry is that even if I could get the rust treated, could there be rust lurking in other places which makes it pointless to try repairing i.e: am I fighting a lost cause?

[zsdom]

With a Ford, 100%

I say this as a fellow Focus owner thats just found a lot of rust

[VR99]

zsdom said:

With a Ford, 100%

I say this as a fellow Focus owner thats just found a lot of rust

I've loved my focus, still do such a hoot to drive and cheap to run. But Ford's affinity with rust however far they have come in the last few years means I probably won't buy another Ford!