Crack above wheel arch on A3

[Hifty]

I have a black Audi A3. It has 3 small cracks in the body work above the rear wheel arch that I've stupidly ignored since I purchased 5months ago. I've noticed now they're starting to weep/rust.

Whilst I'm not overly bothered about the look of the repair, I don't want it to get any worse/corrode any further.
Can anyone suggest an easy fix or would it be much wiser to go to a body work repair shop?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[designforlife]

I hope i'm wrong, but that looks a bit like cracks in filler from a previous repair to me...

[Hifty]

designforlife said:

I hope i'm wrong, but that looks a bit like cracks in filler from a previous repair to me...

I hope you're wrong too but with my luck on car purchases, it wouldn't surprise me...

Is there any way I can find out? or repair it in the meantime?

[Pericoloso]

Find reputable bodyshop or two ,ask for estimates.

Looks like dodgy filler repair to me too .

How old is the car ?

[designforlife]

Hifty said:

designforlife said:

I hope i'm wrong, but that looks a bit like cracks in filler from a previous repair to me...

I hope you're wrong too but with my luck on car purchases, it wouldn't surprise me...

Is there any way I can find out? or repair it in the meantime?

the old fashioned way is to use a magnet to check...never tried this myself though.

[Hifty]

Pericoloso said:

Find reputable bodyshop or two ,ask for estimates.

Looks like dodgy filler repair to me too .

How old is the car ?

It's a '12 plate.

Thanks for the info, guys. I was hoping I could smear something on it to stop it rusting further but I'll take it to a few places and see what they suggest...!

[Twig62]

I would put money on that being filler that has cracked. It might be the angle that the picture was taken but that door gap looks a bit iffy too !

[mbwoy84]

That’s a filler crack from a very poor previous repair. No doubt about it!

[7even]

If your not worried how it looks, best to leave it as it is.
Unless your having it professionally stripped and repaired, anything you put over it is going to seal in water/dampness unless its thoroughly dried out first, but that's not to say it wont be coming in through the arch/back.

[V8covin]

Looking at the door gap I'd say that's had a pretty heavy knock that they've just filled.
A can of worms for any repairer that is