Faced with the daunting prospect of costly repairs on a well-worn 2009 Škoda Fabia, one owner decided to take matters into their own hands. The car,showing 195,000 kilometers on the odometer,had seen better days,relegated to short,infrequent trips. With its “technical” inspection looming, the extent of the necessary repairs became clear.

The initial assessment was grim. The Fabia sported rugged thresholds, a cracked exhaust wavyer, leaking rear shock absorbers, and a damaged cuff on the front half-axle joint. The question arose: was it worth the investment?

The Cost Dilemma

Estimates from professional repair services painted a bleak picture. An authorized service quoted a figure “less than a hundred thousand crowns for work and parts.” Two independent garages offered estimates of “at least 40 thousand crowns,” roughly equivalent to the car’s market value. This led to a pivotal decision: to embark on a do-it-yourself repair journey.

DIY to the Rescue

The owner recognized that while the repairs might not drastically increase the car’s value, it was still a more economical option than purchasing a replacement.Thus, the decision was made to “put the car on the cluster ourselves.”

The first challenge was addressing the rusted thresholds. Rather of fabricating a replacement part,a pre-made section was sourced for a mere 620 CZK,enough for both sides. The owner noted, “It is only necessary to think that it narrows to one side, not always so it can fit, fortunately we do.”

Materials and Methods

To tackle the rust and ensure a lasting repair, the following materials were employed:

• Sealant
• UBS spray (a protective coating)
• Corrida Red spray paint

The UBS spray, described as “the so -called Drďák,” was chosen for its ability to conceal imperfections and provide corrosion protection. Three cans of Corrida Red spray paint were required to achieve a uniform finish on both sides.

parts and Expenses

Beyond the threshold repair, the project included replacing the exhaust, rear shock absorbers, and the half-axle cuff. Small materials, such as sanding papers, were also factored into the budget. The total expenditure for parts and materials amounted to 5190 CZK.

The Helping Hand

the repair work spanned a weekend and was conducted “under the supervision of an experienced car mechanic who kept supervision over us and advised on how to proceed simply and how to avoid mistakes.” This guidance,coupled with “the great background of a well -equipped car parties,” proved invaluable.

Finishing Touches

To ensure the Fabia would pass its MOT (Ministry of Transport test), the car was polished to blend the new paintwork seamlessly.The owner proudly stated,”And now he can really go without worrying.”

DIY vs. Professional Repair

The article contrasts the experiences of city dwellers,who often rely on professional repairers due to space constraints and lack of experience,with those in rural areas. The owner suggests that “village motorists can,of course,as we do in this Fabia,put themselves in a cluster,” emphasizing that “repairing rusted thresholds is basically quite a banality” for those with basic mechanical skills and access to tools.