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Climate control, bodywork and interior

Problems with paintwork and corrosion: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 114 faults with paintwork and corrosion in 107 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: corrosion in the wheel arches, sills and, in advanced cases, the rear axle (Mercedes-Benz Clase C W203), body corrosion: door edges, battery tray and suspension turrets (Mercedes-Benz Clase E W210) and corrosion of the boot, the spring seats and the door frames (Mercedes-Benz Clase C W202).

Documented faults
114
16 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
107
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
107
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

How we work

How it works and why it fails

Paintwork, rust and corrosion

The quality of the paint and of the corrosion protection varies greatly between models and eras. Some cars have thin paint that chips off with gravel, and others have specific spots that rust sooner than normal: door bottoms, wheel arches or structural parts.

What to do

Touch up stone chips before rust sets in and wash the underside after driving on salted roads. When buying a used car, check door bottoms, wheel arches, tailgate and sills: structural rust can be grounds for failing the MOT-style inspection (ITV in Spain).

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with paintwork and corrosion. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with paintwork and corrosion by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Clase C W203Corrosion in the wheel arches, sills and, in advanced cases, the rear axleYes, it is a real problem: the W203, especially those built before March 2004, rusts easily in the wheel arches, sills, door edges and boot, and in the most advanced cases the corrosion can reach the rear axle carrier and lead to an MOT-style inspection failure (ITV in Spain).
  2. 2High severityFrequency: Very frequentMercedes-Benz Clase E W210Body corrosion: door edges, battery tray and suspension turretsYes: the W210 suffers extensive corrosion across all production years. The sources link it to the water-based paint introduced in 1993 and to microbiological contamination in the cataphoresis baths, and place it on the door edges, battery tray and turrets.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Clase C W202Corrosion of the boot, the spring seats and the door framesYes: German Wikipedia lists several corrosion areas on the W202, including the boot lock and handle, the spring seats (with a possible safety risk), the door seals and the rear axle. Cars from 1998-1999 rust more despite the new underbody treatment.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: CommonSuzuki Jimny IIIUnderbody, sill and bodywork corrosionRust is the most repeated complaint about the 1998-2018 Jimny: mud and salt build up on the underbody and wheel arches and, left untreated, the metal and bodywork pit over the years.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed IRusted fuel tank straps: the tank can come looseThis is a documented weak point of the Ceed I: according to Germany's KBA, corrosion can eat through the straps holding the fuel tank, causing it to drop. The fix is to replace the tank mounting; it affects cars up to model year 2010.
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Discovery 5Corrosion in the rear door lock: the doors can unlock by themselvesYes: campaign N798, notified to Safety Gate in September 2023, affects Discoverys built between 22 September 2016 and 14 February 2020 because corrosion of the rear door locking system can unlock the doors without the instrument panel giving any warning. It increases the risk of accident and injury.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalLotus Elise S1Corrosion of the aluminium chassis at wishbone mountings and floorThe Elise S1's bonded aluminium chassis can corrode at the front wishbone mountings and, according to evo, moisture trapped under the rubber mats pits the floor. A damaged chassis is hard to repair and parts are scarce, so check it before buying.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalLotus Elise S2Galvanic corrosion of the aluminium chassis and wishbonesYes: on the Elise S2, the steel bushes at the suspension mounting points can cause galvanic corrosion of the aluminium chassis if their paint is damaged. The front wishbones and the steel rear subframe also rust.
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIRecall over corrosion in the seat height mechanismYes: Mazda recalled around 28,745 Mazda6 GH cars built between August 2007 and August 2010 because the driver's seat height adjustment mechanism can corrode and stop working.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W204Rear axle corrosion on the Mercedes C-Class W204Several German and Polish sources identify the rear axle (subframe) as the W204's weak point for rust: it corrodes from the inside and may be advanced by the time it is visible. Mercedes has covered part of the cost as a goodwill gesture.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase E W212Corrosion on the rear subframe and suspension mountingsSeveral owner reports describe corrosion on the underside, the rear subframe and the mountings of the rear suspension components, in one documented case to the point of being "completely rusted" at 163,800 km.
  12. 12High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase G W463Rear chassis corrosion: shock absorber mounts, turrets and cross tubeYes: it is the W463 weak point that appears most often in the sources. A German workshop describes rust at the rear shock absorber mounts, the turrets and the rear cross tube of the chassis; Auto Bild also places it at the spring mounts, the rear area and the fuel tank, and carwiki.de at the window frames and the tailgate.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase V W447Severe corrosion of metal parts at the rear of the roof bed (2017 and 2018)In the UK, the DVSA recorded a campaign (SRX1901) in 2019 on 576 vehicles (V-Class and Marco Polo, without a breakdown) built between January 2017 and September 2018 because of possible severe corrosion of metal parts at the rear of the 'roof bed'. The mattress is replaced, the corrosion is checked and repaired if necessary.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Sharan IICorrosion of the crossmembers, side sills and brake lines on the undersideAuto Zeitung lists corroded brake lines and crossmembers and side sills perforated by rust among the Sharan II's usual defects, and says corners were cut on the underbody's corrosion protection. Auto Bild, on the other hand, finds the brake lines generally in good condition at inspection.
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 3 E36Rust on the rear wheel arches, sills and suspension mounting pointsCorrosion is the most repeated weak point in the E36 guides: it appears mainly along the rear edge of the rear wheel arches, on the sills and at the jacking points, and fiches-auto.fr also cites it on the rear subframe and suspension mountings. According to one guide, cars built before 1994 rust more.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: CommonDacia Logan IBody rust: rear wheel arches, underside and doorsIt is the most repeated weak point in the Logan I's bodywork: owners describe rust on the underside, wheel arches and doors, and Renault recalled Logans built up to the end of 2006 in 2008 over premature corrosion in the rear wheel arch.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: CommonFord Focus ICorrosion on the bottoms of the doors, tailgate and bonnetThe Focus I can rust on the bottoms of the doors, the tailgate and the bonnet, and water can get into the boot or cabin through the pollen filter; both sources consulted point to it as a typical weak point of this generation.
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Clase A W169Rust on the doors and bonnet on cars from before 2006A-Class W169 cars built before 2006 have more complaints of rust on the doors, bonnet and tailgate than later ones; after the 2008 facelift the sources regard this problem as practically solved.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Clase B W245Rust on door and tailgate seals in cars built before the 2008 faceliftB-Class W245s built between 2005 and 2007 attract more complaints of rust on the door seals and on the tailgate than those built after the 2008 facelift, with which this problem is considered practically solved.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Sprinter T1NCorrosion of the bodywork, chassis and underbodyYes: it is the most frequently reported weakness of the first-generation Sprinter. A Dutch buyer's adviser describes it as notorious for rust, and CarWiki lists it for the bodywork, underbody, chassis and exhaust. It is worth a thorough check before buying.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: CommonMercedes-Benz Vito W639Corrosion of the tailgate, sliding door and sills on pre-2006 vehiclesYes: the W639 built before 2006 has a reputation for rusting on the tailgate, sliding door and sills. According to a known-problems sheet, post-2006 vehicles suffer far less and from 2010 the problem had been resolved.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: CommonRover 45Corrosion of suspension mounts and underbodyOn Rover 45s still on the road, corrosion is the most repeated cause of failure at the British MOT test: the single most common failure is a corroded suspension mount. Buying guides advise checking the sills, jacking points, front floor and rear wheel arches.
  23. 23Critical severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 5008 IIIRecall for corrosion of the subframe bracket (mild hybrid versions)A Safety Gate alert (Rapex 47/2024) covers 1,961 mild hybrid Peugeot 3008 and 5008 built between 26 August and 3 September 2024, whose subframe bracket can corrode and crack.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi A3 IICorrosion in the wheel arches, door sills and tailgate of the older vehiclesOn the older vehicles, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents corrosion in the wheel arches, door sills and tailgate, as well as rust at the engine bay earth points that can cause faults in several control units; fiches-auto.fr confirms corrosion on the door sills from 120,000 km.Appears at around 120,000 km
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Jumper IIBody and underbody corrosion on vans several years oldThe TÜV-Report 2025 (Auto Motor und Sport) lists rust on load-bearing parts and oil leaks on the Jumper from the seventh year, and CarWiki cites the underbody, wheel arches and rear doors as weak points. An older promobil report rated the family's corrosion resistance as relatively good.
  26. 26Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Xsara PicassoUnderbody corrosion and water getting in through the rear doorsSeveral Xsara Picasso owners document corrosion on the underbody and water getting in through the rear doors, as well as trims that peel away over time; these are bodywork problems that worsen with the vehicle's age.
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Sandero IBody rust and fragile paintRust is the most cited issue among Sandero I owners on fiches-auto.fr: 40 mentions of rust and 24 of fragile paint out of 413 reports, plus water leaks through the door seals. There is no official recall for this model.
  28. 28Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Panda IIStructural corrosion of the sills, underbody and rear crossmember on the Panda IIAuto Świat and CarWiki warn that ageing Panda IIs also rust at the sills, underbody and rear crossmember, and that repairing a badly damaged one often isn't worth it; Autobaza.pl argues the opposite, that the bodywork resists corrosion well.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat SediciBody corrosionGebrauchtwagenberater says that rust is common on the SX4, the Sedici's twin, and that the technical inspection rarely detects it.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalJaguar XJ X351Corrosion of the glass roof frameA British buyers' guide lists the glass roof as one of the weak points of the XJ X351: the frame can corrode, a problem Jaguar recorded in a technical bulletin. If caught early, cleaning, treatment and repainting is enough; if it is advanced, the whole roof assembly may need replacing.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Grand Cherokee WKCorrosion on the chassis rails, sheet-metal folds and under the rear windowAUTO BILD warns that rust on the 2005-2010 Grand Cherokee appears mainly on the chassis rails and sheet-metal folds, and can also appear under the rear window, which opens separately. It is worth looking at the underside with the car raised before buying.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Cerato ICorrosion of the sills and rear wheel archesThe used Kia Cerato I press review puts sill corrosion as the most serious bodywork problem: it starts around the middle of the driver's door and spreads inwards, and rust in the rear wheel arch ends up affecting the sill. A full repair means cutting out the rear wing and replacing the sill and reinforcements.
  33. 33Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLancia ThesisCorrosion on the bonnet, tailgate, rear pillar and underbodyAUTO BILD, in its review of the Thesis as a modern classic, says rust is a recurring issue: it appears on the bonnet edges, around the tailgate number plate, on the rear pillar and on the edges and floor of the underbody.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IFragile paint and bodywork corrosion on the Mazda 3 (BK)According to the reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr, the paint on the first-generation Mazda 3 is fragile and corrosion appears: it is the most cited non-mechanical fault in the listing (12 cases out of 140 reports).
  35. 35Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIRecall for corrosion of the tailgate damper bracketYes: the brackets that hold the Mazda3 BL's tailgate gas struts can rust from road salt and break, so the tailgate may not stay open or may slam shut.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 ICorrosion of the rear wheel arches on the bodyworkAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, rear wheel arch corrosion is the most-cited non-mechanical problem on the first-generation Mazda 6: 28 mentions out of 206 reports. There is no official campaign to back it up.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIRecall over corrosion in the boot or tailgate gas strutsYes: on Mazda6 GH cars built between October 2007 and August 2008, the end caps of the boot or tailgate gas struts can corrode, with a risk of it slamming shut.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda CX-5 ITailgate gas strut failure due to corrosionYes: Mazda recalled first-generation CX-5s built between November 2011 and December 2015 because the gas strut that holds up the tailgate can corrode inside and lose pressure or break, letting the tailgate fall if it is not held.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IIIBlocked soft-top drains and rust on the sills and rear wingsOn the MX-5 NC, the soft-top drain tubes can clog and overflow into the body structure; British owners cite rust at the bottom of the rear wheel arches, on the sills and under the boot lid.
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase A W168Corrosion on door edges and under the rubber sealsDEKRA cites corrosion, above all on door edges and under the rubber seals, among the typical defects of older A-Class W168s. On fiches-auto, corrosion gets 7 mentions among 114 testimonials, including the rear wheel arch.
  41. 41Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMG TFRust on the subframe, sills and wheel archesParkers includes rust on the subframe, sills, rear wheel arches and battery tray among the points to check on the MG TF; cars built from 2007 onwards in China were better protected.
  42. 42Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi ASX ICorrosion of the tailgate gas strut end capInsufficient anti-corrosion treatment meant the end cap of the ASX's tailgate gas struts corroded until it popped off under internal pressure, with a risk of it hitting someone or the tailgate dropping suddenly. Mitsubishi corrected it with a recall (ASX built between April 2010 and September 2014).
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Note IWater leaks and paint defectsOn some Note I units, water can get in through the rear lights, the tailgate or the windscreen, causing damp in the boot, and the paint or bumpers can peel or rust sooner than expected.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan NV200Corrosion of the tailgate gas strut on the Nissan NV200 (2009-2015)Yes: Nissan recalled NV200s built between August 2009 and November 2015 because the paint on the outer tube of the rear door gas strut did not meet the anti-corrosion requirement: it can rust, crack, lose its gas and fail to hold the door open.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Omega BBody panel and sill corrosion on the Opel Omega B, especially in units made before 1996It depends on the source: AUTO BILD (February 2002) describes sheet metal that rusts badly and improved in July 1996, and the 2005 test cites rust on the sills. Another test from the same publication (October 2002) and a TÜV inspector say the body is well protected and that rust is concentrated in the exhaust.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Vectra BCorrosion in sills, door bottoms and rear wheel archesA Russian used-car magazine places Vectra B corrosion mainly in the bottoms of the doors, the sills (which rot from the inside, more so if the car has a sunroof), at the joints of the rear wheel arches and at the tailgate of the five-door. Severe corrosion of the underbody is rare.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot Boxer IIIBody and underbody corrosion on vans several years oldAuto Motor und Sport's TÜV-Report 2025 analysis lists rust among the usual defects of the Boxer from its sixth year, along with oil leaks and lighting problems. An older promobil report, by contrast, rates the corrosion resistance of the Ducato, Boxer and Jumper as relatively good.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot RCZCorrosion and paint defects on the RCZ bodyworkAccording to the testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, corrosion (14 cases) and paint defects (6 cases) are among the bodywork complaints from RCZ owners.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Ignis IBody corrosionThe 2000-2003 Ignis is well protected against rust, but it can still rust with age; the 2003-2008 one rusts more because the underbody and cavity protection was uneven on cars built in Hungary.
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Land Cruiser J150Frame and sill corrosion on a chassis-based 4x4Two Russian sources (Auto.ru and Tengrinews) say the Land Cruiser Prado 150 chassis has no factory anti-corrosion protection and starts to rust at 5 to 10 years in salty climates; a Polish owner of a 4.5 D V8 reports the same and also rust on a sill. They are accounts from countries with harsh winters, not data for Spain.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen BoraBody rust at the front wheel archesWikipedia states that on the Jetta/Bora IV the body panels rust from the inside out, especially at the front wheel arches. The Golf IV page adds 11 cases of corrosion.
  52. 52High severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz GLK X204Chassis corrosion on the GLKAccording to the fiches-auto.fr page, there are 3 corrosion reports out of 92, and one owner warns that the chassis can rust until it falls apart. It is a minority case, supported only by reports.
  53. 53Low severityFrequency: CommonDacia Logan IIPaint that marks easily and fragile plastic door handlesThe Logan II's paint marks and scratches more easily than usual, the bodywork needs preventive rustproofing, and the plastic door handles and the fuel flap are particularly fragile according to owner testimonies.
  54. 54Low severityFrequency: CommonFord Mondeo IIICorrosion on the door and boot edgesSome Mondeo III cars, mainly from before the 2003 facelift, show corrosion on the door edges, the boot and the rear wheel arches because of defective sealing of galvanised steel from one supplier, a problem the German-language Wikipedia also documents at other manufacturers that used the same material.
  55. 55Low severityFrequency: CommonToyota Corolla VersoFragile bodywork paint that deteriorates easilyAccording to the testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the paint of the Corolla Verso is considered fragile: owners describe chipping and rapid deterioration after minor impacts.
  56. 56Medium severityFrequency: RareHyundai Santa Fe IBody corrosion and roof perforationThe page records 4 cases of corrosion on the first Santa Fe, one of them with a perforated roof. It is a bodywork fault with no known campaign.
  57. 57Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz CLK C208Corrosion of the sills, front wings and wheel archesThe sources disagree: Auto Bild (2007) and AutoScout24 (2009) say the CLK C208 resists corrosion well, while a Russian portal (2017) describes rust on sills, wings, wheel arches, floors and the boot lid on cars aged 15 to 18 years. We have found no data for Spain.
  58. 58Medium severityFrequency: RareNissan X-Trail IRust and perforation of the Nissan X-Trail fuel filler pipeAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonies, the fuel filler pipe rusts and perforates on the X-Trail (5 cases, mainly units from 2003 onwards), with a risk of leaks and of failing the inspection.
  59. 59Medium severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 3008 IInsufficient anti-corrosion protection on the front crossmember (2015 production)A 2020 campaign (ref. r2020207) covers cars built between 23 February and 13 March 2015 because of insufficient anti-corrosion protection on the front crossmember (subframe). The same reference and the same dates also appear in the Peugeot 2008 campaign.
  60. 60Medium severityFrequency: RareToyota RAV4 IIRust on the chassis and underside of the RAV4 bodyworkSome fiches-auto.fr testimonials mention significant rust on the chassis and slight rust on the bodywork of the RAV4 II; the page gives few details and treats it mainly as a cosmetic problem.
  61. 61Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 147Underbody corrosion and broken exterior door handlesThe Alfa Romeo 147 has testimonies of corrosion on the exhaust and other underbody parts, and of exterior door handles breaking after prolonged exposure to the sun.
  62. 62Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Rust on the sill edges and rattling panoramic roof on the Active TourerAUTO BILD, citing TÜV Report data, mentions surface rust on the sill edges and panoramic roofs that rattle on the Active Tourer F45. These are minor defects that only turn up occasionally.
  63. 63Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 F32Fragile bodywork paintAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the 4 Series paintwork is the most repeated non-mechanical complaint: 8 mentions of fragile paint among 103 reports. No official recall is recorded.
  64. 64Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 7 E65Paint degradation on door handles and bodywork corrosionAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, 5 of 64 owners of the 7 Series E65 cite paint degrading on the door handles and spots of rust, as well as misting of the headlights.
  65. 65Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia Duster IFragile paint that chips from gravel strikesFiches-auto.fr and La Revue Automobile agree that the Duster I's paint is thin and chips fairly easily from gravel strikes, in one case down to bare metal from 19,500 km, and Dacia usually refuses warranty claims citing external damage.
  66. 66Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia SpringFragile paintwork and premature corrosion9 of the 73 reports collected by fiches-auto.fr on the Spring mention fragile paintwork, with chipping or bubbling, and several cases of premature bodywork corrosion.
  67. 67Low severityFrequency: OccasionalDS DS 3Roof paint and lacquer deteriorationFragile paint is a frequent complaint in the DS3 entry (60 mentions out of 549 testimonies): the black roof "comes away like lace", the lacquer is fragile and stickers on the pillar sometimes peel off.
  68. 68Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Panda IIExhaust and underbody corrosion on the Fiat Panda IIFiches-auto.fr reports corrosion cases, mainly of the exhaust silencer, and the 2025 TÜV report cited by Autoblog.it describes it as a persistent problem on older Panda 169s.
  69. 69Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Punto IILacquer and body paint peelingYes: the fiches-auto.fr page lists 18 cases of paint flaking or losing its lacquer within about four years, with no warranty cover in the testimonials cited.
  70. 70Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic IXFragile bodywork paint: chips and lacquer loss on the Honda Civic IXAccording to the testimonials collected by fiches-auto.fr, it is the most repeated complaint about the Honda Civic IX: thin paint that chips from small impacts or pressure washing. No official campaign is on record.
  71. 71Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic XCorrosion spots, weak paint and occasional water ingressOwner testimonials describe corrosion spots, marks or chips in the paint and occasional water ingress through the glass, mirrors or a panel on the Civic X.
  72. 72Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IIIDeterioration of the paint and chrome plastic trim on the bodyworkThe fiches-auto.fr page records 14 testimonials of fragile paint on the 2007-2013 CR-V and complaints about chrome plastic trim that deteriorates. It is a cosmetic defect, with no safety risk.
  73. 73Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda CR-V IVScratched or chipped paint and peeling lacquerAccording to the fiches-auto.fr entry, 15 of 142 CR-V IV reports mention paint that scratches easily, stone chips or peeling lacquer, one of the most cited complaints.
  74. 74Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Jazz IIFragile bodywork paint: chipping and lacquer loss on the Honda Jazz IIAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, this is the most repeated complaint about the Honda Jazz II: thin paint that chips with small impacts or pressure washing. There is no official campaign on record.
  75. 75Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai i30 IPeeling paintwork and bodywork corrosionOn fiches-auto.fr, fragile paint is the most repeated issue on the i30 (41 out of 211 testimonies, across all generations), with 7 further cases of corrosion. It is a single source, not separated by generation.
  76. 76Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Ceed ICorrosion on the door frames, especially before the faceliftGebrauchtwagenberater warns that rust is an issue on the Ceed I, appearing mainly along the door frames and chiefly on cars built before the facelift. fiches-auto records 9 mentions of corrosion and 6 of brittle paint out of 189 accounts.
  77. 77Low severityFrequency: OccasionalKia VengaCorrosion on doors, wheels and body panelsThis is the most frequently repeated defect in the Venga entry: 11 cases of rust inside the doors, on the wheels and on panels, according to fiches-auto.fr.
  78. 78Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IVThe paint on the bodywork, bumpers or trim can flakeSeveral owners describe the paint on the bodywork, bumpers or trim becoming brittle and flaking over time, especially in areas of rubbing; the manufacturer does not acknowledge a systemic defect and there is no campaign about it.
  79. 79Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIFragile paint that chips from small impactsTwo owner sources, one French and one Polish, report that the paint on the Mazda6 GH chips easily from small gravel strikes; it is a cosmetic defect, not a safety one.
  80. 80Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 6 IIIFragile Mazda 6 bodywork paintAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 4 of the 33 accounts about the Mazda 6 (2012-2022) point to fragile paint. It is owner data, with no confirmation from the press or the manufacturer.
  81. 81Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase M W163Corrosion on the tailgate, bonnet and jacking points of the Mercedes M-Class W163Gebrauchtwagenberater locates the W163's rust mainly on the tailgate and the jacking points, and AUTO BILD sees it on bonnets and side members. It is less serious than on the W210, and TÜV gives it a good mark for structural corrosion.
  82. 82Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz SLK R170Peeling bodywork paint and interior trim on the SLK R170According to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, it is the most repeated category away from the engine after electronics: around 20 owners talk about peeling paint and interior trim coming unstuck.
  83. 83Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG MG4Fragile paint and rust in body weldsAmong the 87 reports on fiches-auto.fr, fragile paint is one of the most frequently mentioned complaints about the MG4, with some cases of rust in subframe welds; What Car? also includes the bodywork among the fault areas in its British survey.
  84. 84Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Rust under the chrome trim on the Mini Cooper R56 tailgateAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the chrome trim of the tailgate handle rests on the paint without enough protection and, with vibration, wears it away until rust appears through contact.
  85. 85Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Juke IPaint and lacquer flaking on the bumpersFiches-auto.fr documents paint peeling on the front and rear bumpers of a Juke 1.5 dCi at 14,000 km, and lacquer loss on the front bumper of a more recent 1.2 DIG-T 115.
  86. 86Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Juke IRear silencer rusts and perforatesGebrauchtwagenberater.de says the Juke's intermediate exhaust silencer often ends up pitted by rust, and recommends checking the underbody before buying a used one.
  87. 87Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Micra VPaintwork that is not very resistant to gravel chipsSeveral Micra V owner testimonies describe paintwork that marks or chips easily from gravel impacts, which can encourage corrosion if not touched up in time.
  88. 88Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai ITailgate gas struts and underbody rustGebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that the gas struts on the first-generation Qashqai's rear tailgate do not last long and that rust can appear on the underbody.
  89. 89Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIRust on the tailgate of the first unitsGebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the first Qashqai J11s, up to around 2014, may show rust on the tailgate.
  90. 90Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIIFinish wear: paint, plastics, misted headlights and fragile windscreenYes: several sources agree on finish defects in the Qashqai J12 - paint that chips or scratches easily, door mouldings that come unstuck, plastic noises from the dashboard, vibration in a wing mirror, headlights that mist up inside and a windscreen that cracks more easily than expected.
  91. 91Low severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan X-Trail IIIFragile paint and defective seat springsYes: several owners describe paint that chips or flakes after only a few months of use, and caradisiac also records a case of defective seat springs.
  92. 92Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Clio IVPaint sensitive to stone chipsFiches-auto.fr records around 35 cases of fragile paint among Clio IV owners, and Caradisiac confirms that the pearl white colour in particular 'is very fragile against stone chips' on a 2017 1.5 dCi 110.
  93. 93Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Twingo IIFragile body paint that flakes offPaint is the problem most cited by Twingo II owners: 35 cases out of 409 reports on fiches-auto.fr. It is not an official campaign, just a recurring pattern in owner reports.
  94. 94Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat MiiExhaust corrosion on the Seat Mii in town drivingGerman guides cite exhaust corrosion on the Mii as a weak point when the car makes short journeys and never gets warm, and the TÜV flags it more as the years pass.
  95. 95Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda CitigoExhaust corrosion on the Skoda Citigo in town drivingThe ADAC cites an exhaust prone to failure, mainly on the first Citigo units, and German guides put it down to short urban journeys.
  96. 96Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Fabia IIThe rear axle and tailgate can start to rust with ageSeveral owners describe visible rust on the rear axle, on an alloy wheel and on the tailgate from 170,000 km or, above all, from 5-7 years of use. It is not a manufacturer campaign, just a recurring pattern in owner testimonies.
  97. 97Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda Octavia IIFragile paintwork and corrosion spots on the bodyworkFragile paintwork and corrosion spots account for 14 of the 248 Octavia II owner responses gathered by fiches-auto.fr, although the source does not pinpoint the specific areas of the bodywork most affected.
  98. 98Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki SplashFragile bodywork paintAccording to reports on fiches-auto.fr, the paint cracks or flakes off and traces of rust appear on some cars. There is no official recall.
  99. 99Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Swift IIIFragile bodywork paintAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonies, the paint cracks or flakes off and traces of rust appear on some units. There is no official campaign.
  100. 100Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSuzuki Swift IVFragile paint and bodywork corrosionAccording to the owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, the paint cracks or is lost and traces of rust appear on some cars. There is no official campaign.
  101. 101Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Auris IIThe paint flakes easily and the interior develops playSeveral owners describe paint that marks or flakes with minor knocks (including hail), and interior details such as the glovebox latch or the driver's seat that develop play with use.
  102. 102Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota C-HR IPaint on bumpers, trim and mirrors flakes offSeveral owners describe the lacquer on bumpers, decorative trim and mirrors lifting or flaking over time, letting moisture in and enlarging the defect; in at least one case the dealer did not cover it under warranty because it was a decorative item.
  103. 103Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota iQFragile paint that marks and deterioratesAccording to fiches-auto.fr, 4 of 59 reports on the iQ cite fragile paint that marks and deteriorates easily.
  104. 104Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoCorrosion and leaks in the bodywork of the Toyota VersoAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the bodywork is the most-cited area outside the engine on the Verso: 14 cases of rust in the seat mounts, water getting into the boot and fragile paint.
  105. 105Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf VThe soft-touch paint finish on some interior parts peelsAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the soft-touch paint coating on some Golf V interior parts loses its finish over time and peels, giving the affected area a cheap and unhygienic look. It is a cosmetic defect, with no effect on the mechanics or on safety.
  106. 106Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Golf VIFragile paintwork and corrosion spots on the bodyworkFragile paintwork and corrosion spots account for 22 of the 666 Golf VI owner responses recorded by fiches-auto.fr, with the source not locating the specific areas of the bodywork most affected.
  107. 107Low severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 1 F20Tailgate corrosion (early cars)It is an isolated fault, not a widespread one: gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports isolated cases of rust on the F20's tailgate, mainly on cars built up to 2012.
  108. 108Low severityFrequency: RareFiat SediciBumper paint peeling on the SediciSeveral Polish owners report that the paint on the Sedici's plastic bumpers lifts within a few months, and that repainting does not fix it; it is a cosmetic defect with no mechanical risk.
  109. 109Low severityFrequency: RareHyundai i10 IIRust on bodywork, discs and mountingsOn AutoCentrum one owner reports rust on the bodywork, wheel hubs and seat anchors from around 50,000 km, and on Carbuyer another mentions rusted paint; these are isolated opinions, not a statistical fault.
  110. 110Low severityFrequency: RareHyundai ix20Bodywork corrosion and paint deteriorationThe fiches-auto.fr page records two cases of corrosion and another of paint deterioration on the ix20; there is no known campaign.
  111. 111Low severityFrequency: RareMazda 3 IMazda 3 (BK) tailgate struts that break from corrosionGebrauchtwagenberater.de records, citing the KBA, a recall because corrosion can break the tailgate struts on Mazda 3 BKs built from 2007 onwards.
  112. 112Low severityFrequency: RareŠkoda Fabia IVEarly corrosion on fixings and axles, and the start of paint peelingIn the same Auto Bild long-term test, after nearly three years of normal use, corrosion appeared on bolts and on the front and rear axles, along with the start of paint peeling, on a car that was kept and used normally.
  113. 113Low severityFrequency: RareŠkoda YetiPoor paint quality and rust on the bottom of the doorsParkers reports that owners' forums are full of complaints about the Yeti's paint quality and that the doors can rust along the bottom edge, with possible problems on the subframe too. It is a single source, with no figures.
  114. 114Low severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen up!Underbody rust with little protectionGebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the up!'s underbody has little or no protection, so rust forms mainly on the floor, and water can get in through the tailgate.

Problems with paintwork and corrosion by make

Problems with paintwork and corrosion in your car

6 cars have several documented faults with paintwork and corrosion. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Fiat 2
Kia 1
Mazda 2
Nissan 1

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with paintwork and corrosion?

Among those we have analysed: Mercedes-Benz Clase C W203 (corrosion in the wheel arches, sills and, in advanced cases, the rear axle), Mercedes-Benz Clase E W210 (body corrosion: door edges, battery tray and suspension turrets), Mercedes-Benz Clase C W202 (corrosion of the boot, the spring seats and the door frames), Suzuki Jimny III (underbody, sill and bodywork corrosion), Mazda 6 II (recall over corrosion in the seat height mechanism), Kia Ceed I (rusted fuel tank straps: the tank can come loose), Land Rover Discovery 5 (corrosion in the rear door lock: the doors can unlock by themselves) and Lotus Elise S1 (corrosion of the aluminium chassis at wishbone mountings and floor). In total, 107 cars with documented faults with paintwork and corrosion.

What symptoms does a fault with paintwork and corrosion cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: rust or corrosion on the bodywork or underside and water getting into the cabin or boot.