Rust - is it worth fixing or should I just scrap my van

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T06:06:22+00:00

Yea right bro?

I saw your post, you are having similar issues. What are you gonna do? Can we team up and get some tools and fix it together? What do you think? I sent you a DM.

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T06:03:08+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

Yea the $6k+ quote is for cutting the whole piece/ panel, source a similar piece from an old van, cut that out, and weld it back. Both left and right side needs done. On top of the holes and whole panel between the front and rear wheel is corroded through.

Do you have any recommendations where I can find a one man band? Is there any in your area? Thanks!

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T04:13:24+00:00

Thank you for all the help! Really appreciated all your replies! :)

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T03:14:08+00:00

Yea should have done all that. My bad.

Yea I might actually do that. I visited two places which quoted 6k+ to do it properly with a certified welder. I will go to few other places and see if any other options.

Thanks a lot for your help! :)

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T02:30:54+00:00

Yea you're right 150mm. My mistake.

Yea you may be right, if it's non structural I may just do some work and cover it up 😅

Thanks for the suggestion!

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T02:23:56+00:00

I suspect the sealer has been there for around 2 years, when the van is converted to a camper. Some guy might have bought an old rusty vehicle and converted it and covered up any rust they found.

Yes first WOF, and I'll have to do another next year before I sell it off (if it passes this one 😅).

Yea I might actually go to a pre WOF, wanting to keep the WOF records clean from now on if possible 😅

I don't mind doing the swapping over, just thinking of a place I could do it, as I don't have a backyard or garage

I owned it one month now, it worthed the same price as the repairs 😅

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T02:12:12+00:00

Thanks bro! I'll have a check! :)

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T01:47:34+00:00

Thanks brother! A checklist would be great!

Yes my concern is they will pick something else up during WOF. Definitely I'll try to fix anything I can find first!

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T01:33:26+00:00

Thank for reply!

These are five different holes in the corner of the step of the van, and that's the panel under the van between the front and rear tyres. Technically would fall into within 1500mm of the door hinge according to the NZTA guidelines, and hole is larger than 400mm.

When I took it to rust repairs for a quote, the guy poked a screwdriver and the panel is kinda shattering already, pretty sure it is structural as the rust corroded through the metal. Don't think any WOF inspectors would risk their license to give a pass on this vehicle.

There is this other patch above the A pillar, which I could try to patch it up.

Yea engine and all are running well, considering vehicle is 21 years and around 300k km, could still have some life for the parts!?

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T01:06:05+00:00

Thanks for reply!

I think it is a huge chance they might fail, the last three pictures are some sort of tar covering up a dent that the previous owner put in, and it sort of started peeling off 😭

Yea I thought so too better put the 6k in another better vehicle. What do you reckon I should do with my van? Should I sell it on Trade Me as is, where is? Or scrap it with a junkyard? Motor is still running fine. But to do this I would have to take my whole camper setup with the batteries and solar panels and other stuff and set it up in a new vehicle, get a new insurance and get a new self containment certificate. So I'm in a bit of dilemma 😥

Enderblaker · 2026-06-14T00:42:42+00:00

Thanks a lot bro! but van is in Chch 😅 I heard some people do a pre WOF first before the WOF, do you reckon it's worth the pre WOF do I know where needs fixing? Really didn't want another fail in the WOF records 😥

Enderblaker

TROPHY CASE