This is a Toyota Aygo from 2007. As you can see, the rust is getting pretty bad where sills meet the floor. It’s the same on both sides near rear wheels. The rest of the floor, body and mechanical parts are very clean and in good shape. The car passed its last inspection three months ago but the rust is obviously spreading and there’s no way I’ll pass the next inspection after two years or the car will be safe to drive, especially since the rust is exactly where rear jack points are.
How much labour do you think welding would require? Is it going to be expensive? Sure, it’s a shitbox from 2007 and scrapping the car before the next inspection sounds like the easy way but the rest of the car is actually in a very good shape mechanically and cosmetically, and very nice to drive, so I’d prefer to keep it, assuming a body shop can fix the rust damage for something like under 500 Euros. What do you recommend?
I live in Lithuania and the inspection is pretty thorough. Rust is a failure when it’s on suspension parts, floor or any other part that provides structural integrity to the car. In my case, since rust is on the edge of the floor and sill, with no obvious cracks or holes, they let it pass. Still, it’s obviously going to get worse, so the option is either to weld it now or drive the car until the next inspection in 2025 and scrap it.
I wouldn’t repair the rust.
I’d either save some money and get another car or find the same model with engine issues and swap the motor.
People with broken cars will practically give them away.