Rear 1/4 Panel on MK2

[StephenEggo]

Yesterday I looked at a Golf GTI Mk2 16v in oak green 3 door.The car is in good condition although there is one point of worry.The car is a 1990 G 'plate' and therefore some rust is expected.The main point is that of the rear nearside 1/4 panel down at the sill. As the sill is covered by a plastic skirt it is hard to see how bad it realy is without removing it.The problem is that a hole is starting to appear along the strip of rust from the curving edge of the door to the bottom of the wheel arch. It seems to me that this is a major strengthening point in the car as it strenghtens the door pillar. I'm not sure to either replace the panel or fix it.
Any reccommendations and how much would it cost for a decent repair job.

[Gambit]

weird for it to rust all along there. you cant remove the skirt itself, as it is held on by fixing clips that need to be replaced once removed.

only thing i can think is that the whole panel has been replaced at some time - have a look and see can you see if it has been replaced

[StephenEggo]

I don't think it is wierd for it to rust here because if you knew this area of the car is infact where all the water gatherers. The car has spent its life in scotland so maybe that has a part to play as we use lots of salt on the roads in the winter. I've been told of a VW expert that to find the best examples of MK 2 golfs with no rust, in England is your best bet.

[modulater]

To have a decent look your gonna have to remove the sill cover and maybe the wheel arch trim, these are only retained by pop rivets so its no hassle to get new ones to fit it back on, of course still available at your friendly main stealer.

I would say its still quite rare for a golf to rust badly unless its had damage before that has either not been repaired at all or has been repaired badly.

Sounds to me like its had a repair and hasnt been seam sealed properly. I understand about the plastic sills being a water trap but it still sounds like its had a shunt in the past.

[golfvr6]

Yep go along with Mod, be careful.
I would be thinking accident damage.