Last week I picked up a really nice 2006 MCS from the original owner with only 43K miles on it. Overall it's in very good shape. Wheels need some serious TLC and elbow grease to get clean...no problem there. The car has some door sill rust on the passenger side. Driver side is good. I also noticed a tiny bit of rust forming under the drivers side rear tail light. I'm not sure what the best course of action is. Should I just sand these areas down, apply some rust converter, primer, paint and clearcoat them myself? Or would I be better off trying to get coverage under MINI's 12 year rust warranty? I'm wondering if the damage is bad enough yet that they would cover it. I've also read that you have to get yearly inspections for MINI to cover a rust claim. Obviously as the second owner if that's the case I'm screwed. Any advice?

 

I would take care of it myself but that's me! You never know...It can't hurt to try and get coverage, my gut tells me that even if you do you'll be without a car for some time as yours will be bottom of the task list for the dealer that gets your issue. It looks like an easy enough fix. Do you also get the water ingress in those areas? I just wedged foam into that area on my passenger side because of water build up that would enter under door when raining. Seems the water builds up(inside the molding) in those tiny channels where the molding slides onto and builds up (creating a moist area for Rust) and then instead of exiting it finds a way into the car at that point.

 

No water ingress that I've notice yet...but I will keep an eye on it. Thanks.