Have you got any rust on your MG ZS EV?

[Kithmo]

I noticed some rust in the engine bay on mine on the smaller, black, bottom chassis rails where the upright sections meet them. 8 months old, very rarely driven in wet weather.

 

[Cocijo]

Nothing back from MG customer service yet. I emailed them pics on Thursday and chased again today

 

[Cocijo]

thanks for your comments. I’ve spoken and emailed MG customer services. They also have the pics. I’ll see what they say directly. I guess that I’m most surprised that the dealer didn’t even want to take look - very dismissive actually.

I’ve heard back via email from MG customer services today (after a week). This is what they have to say on the rust.

“Thank you for your patience.
Due to the increase enquiries, we are doing our best to get back to customers as soon as we can.
We can confirm we have received your images and had forwarded them on to our Aftersales Team for further advice.
After further confirmation, this is not covered under warranty as it is not a first sight panel. The dealership may be able to improve the cosmetics of the area but customers would have to confirm if the dealership can offer this service.”
here are two of the pics that I sent - what do you think?

 

[TassiedEVil]

I’ve heard back via email from MG customer services today (after a week). This is what they have to say on the rust.

“Thank you for your patience.
Due to the increase enquiries, we are doing our best to get back to customers as soon as we can.
We can confirm we have received your images and had forwarded them on to our Aftersales Team for further advice.
After further confirmation, this is not covered under warranty as it is not a first sight panel. The dealership may be able to improve the cosmetics of the area but customers would have to confirm if the dealership can offer this service.”
here are two of the pics that I sent - what do you think?

What’s a “first sight panel”?
What is that hole? Is that plug plastic?
Not a particularly reassuring or helpful response,
Anyone else got this exact problem?

 

[Cocijo]

I’m sure others will know more - but I’m assuming that a ‘first sight panel’ is one that can be seen on first sight? Though even that I’m unsure what that means!

 

[Paulie68]

I’m sure others will know more - but I’m assuming that a ‘first sight panel’ is one that can be seen on first sight? Though even that I’m unsure what that means!

In English, first sight panel means all the visible top side of the car that has finished paintwork. This would be covered under the 3 year paintwork warranty.

The underbody of the car is not finished in paint at all (beyond the primer dip) and is covered by the 7 year rust warranty. This warranty is, as is usual, perforation only, so you have to have a hole rotted through in order to claim.

Therefore MGs response was entirely predictable. I think at this point we are flogging the proverbial dead horse. These cars, along with a lot of other marques today do show early light rusting at cut seams and around welded areas. This is mainly due to the "improved" (for the environment, not the cars!) factory dipping process that's now used, thin film zirconium. This doesn't result in large volumes of toxic heavy metals as a by product, as the previous, better (for the car, not environment!) Zinc phosphate dipping process did.

Although unsightly, this is very unlikely to progress to serious rust during the 7 year rust through warranty period. So I'd suggest those keeping the car for the usual 2 to 4 year cycle stop worrying.

Those keeping for long term have two options. One, invest £400 or so in comprehensive underbody wax injection and coating with a reputable company, (or DIY for sub £100 if you're up to it. ) Your car will then live longer than you, unless you are very young!

Or option two, enjoy the car until its a rusty heap in probably 12 or more years time, then scrap it and sell the battery for second life storage

But whatever, can we stop constantly moaning about rust... I bet we're putting a lot of people off buying the cars...

 

[Paulie68]

What’s a “first sight panel”?
What is that hole? Is that plug plastic?
Not a particularly reassuring or helpful response,
Anyone else got this exact problem?

See my earlier response about first sight.

The four holes are where the car body sits in the cradle that takes it along the production line whilst getting built.

The plug is plastic, just to keep out dirt from the box section.

Almost all ZS cars have this "problem" it varies due to usage and environmental factors but they all have it, apart from any cars treated from almost new before getting used on the road much.

 

[Cocijo]

In English, first sight panel means all the visible top side of the car that has finished paintwork. This would be covered under the 3 year paintwork warranty.

The underbody of the car is not finished in paint at all (beyond the primer dip) and is covered by the 7 year rust warranty. This warranty is, as is usual, perforation only, so you have to have a hole rotted through in order to claim.

Therefore MGs response was entirely predictable. I think at this point we are flogging the proverbial dead horse. These cars, along with a lot of other marques today do show early light rusting at cut seams and around welded areas. This is mainly due to the "improved" (for the environment, not the cars!) factory dipping process that's now used, thin film zirconium. This doesn't result in large volumes of toxic heavy metals as a by product, as the previous, better (for the car, not environment!) Zinc phosphate dipping process did.

Although unsightly, this is very unlikely to progress to serious rust during the 7 year rust through warranty period. So I'd suggest those keeping the car for the usual 2 to 4 year cycle stop worrying.

Those keeping for long term have two options. One, invest £400 or so in comprehensive underbody wax injection and coating with a reputable company, (or DIY for sub £100 if you're up to it. ) Your car will then live longer than you, unless you are very young!

Or option two, enjoy the car until its a rusty heap in probably 12 or more years time, then scrap it and sell the battery for second life storage

But whatever, can we stop constantly moaning about rust... I bet we're putting a lot of people off buying the cars...

Thanks for your comments - I found them very useful .
I’ve enjoyed my ownership of the ZS so far and I won’t let this detract from that too much.
That said, I think that it is important that items like this are out in the open and shared so that people can take their own view on them. I do try to be balanced in my comments wherever i can and not go overboard.
So - how do I feel about the rust showing on my car?
Firstly I have nothing to compare to as far as other manufacturers, so this might be the current standard - in that case it would be wrong to single out MG.
If this is the modern standard, then I think that it is a poor one.
I’m sure that many EV’s will run for hundreds of thousands of miles on the new technology, so there is a need for these cars bodies to last possibly even longer than an ICE car.
What are my next steps? Well, I’ve found my local MG dealer who I purchased from very unhelpful and as I’ve mentioned quite blunt with me.
I will probably have a go myself at protecting the main areas of concern and then move on and not dwell on it, and just enjoy the car.
As far as longer term ownership, I will probably not now keep the car beyond 3 or 4 Years as I originally intended. Thanks again for your comments.

 

[Scriv]

I can't see any rust under my white ZS but decided to take it into a local garage that specialises in bodywork repairs etc, and asked them to inspect the car and recommend any necessary preventative rust treatment.
After checking the underside of the car on a ramp they told me that there was no need for concern and that no treatment was required!
I had to persuade them them to carry out a limited wax treatment of cavities etc, although they said it was not necessary, for which they charged me £90.

 

[Kithmo]

As long as mine lasts till the 2022 facelift comes out with the 73kWh battery, I'm not fussed.

 

[Lovemyev]

I can't see any rust under my white ZS but decided to take it into a local garage that specialises in bodywork repairs etc, and asked them to inspect the car and recommend any necessary preventative rust treatment.
After checking the underside of the car on a ramp they told me that there was no need for concern and that no treatment was required!
I had to persuade them them to carry out a limited wax treatment of cavities etc, although they said it was not necessary, for which they charged me £90.

Some members may fine this recently posted video of some help and guidance.

 

[Cocijo]

Those problem areas of rust are so preventable which is frustrating.

 

[Mgkev]

I did exactly that earlier in my ownership and have no rust showing except the front crash bar that I’m not able to get to.

 

[Les burrows]

For anyone that might be thinking off doing this I e-mail the chap in the Video
Matt his name is from go green autos and he sent me details of where you can get the stuff he as used in the video the link is below. he has put lots out on YouTube about other things to do with EVs and is very good at explaining what’s he’s taking about does a great job in my book
So after seeing this video I took a look under my own car an MG5 and guess what it’s much the same if not worse with regard to underbody sealing to short videos here not brilliant but I think you will get the idea especially around the rear suspension and the chassis rails and there a plastic cover over the bolts that hold the battery onto the chassis rails but behind that and along the inner stills is just primer coat with nothing else
Les
Sorry videos won’t upload ? Files to big it saying
You can buy the products directly from Bilt Hamber here Rust Removal | Prevention | Anti-Corrosion Treatments | Rust Converters - Bilt Hamber

Its easy enough to do yourself if you can get one side up on a curb as there's enough ground clearance at the rear. You don't need to get under the battery pack - just get your head under the boot.


Matt West, Director, Go Green Autos Ltd
New & used electric vehicles - Only 100% electric, zero emission cars & vans.
Unit 15 Lyford Business Centre, Lyford, Wantage, OX12 0EE
mob 07516 471 656 tel 01865 818 990 web GoGreenAutos.co.uk

 

[Cocijo]

I saw this video. Matt’s videos are very good and informative. I do wonder about applying seam sealer later in the cars life though and that this might just hold in any rust that’s already started. Perhaps waxoyl all over might be better? I’m going to do my car later in the year and these videos are very helpful.

 

[Les burrows]

I saw this video. Matt’s videos are very good and informative. I do wonder about applying seam sealer later in the cars life though and that this might just hold in any rust that’s already started. Perhaps waxoyl all over might be better? I’m going to do my car later in the year and these videos are very helpful.

Hi Cocijo yeh I understand what your saying but my cars only 1 month old and has not yet been on a wet road so still clean underneath I have tried to add 3 short vids but this forum won’t let me keeps saying files to big ? But I went to a couple of body shops to enquire about getting the car sprayed with waxoyl or similar but they didn’t want to know because of the HV battery’s also not sure by who but if was said doing anything like this might affect the warranty as well can’t see why it should
Les

 

[Cocijo]

Hi Les,
yes, the forum doesn’t have the storage for larger files like videos. You can either add them to youtube if you have an account and add a link on here or use a file sharing site, but I know that you are getting to grips with the tech stuff. Yes, some manufacturers are funny about any changes made to their cars corrosion protection and it could be a get out for them. Always worth checking i suppose as it could be an excuse not to deal later down the road.

 

[Cocijo]

Hi Cocijo yeh I understand what your saying but my cars only 1 month old and has not yet been on a wet road so still clean underneath I have tried to add 3 short vids but this forum won’t let me keeps saying files to big ? But I went to a couple of body shops to enquire about getting the car sprayed with waxoyl or similar but they didn’t want to know because of the HV battery’s also not sure by who but if was said doing anything like this might affect the warranty as well can’t see why it should
Les

chrispydoc is the expert for waxoyl on here. He has done all his cars and is very knowledgeable. I’ve not heard any mention of having a battery pack being an issue and can’t see why this should be as it’s well sealed against the elements.

 

[Les burrows]

chrispydoc is the expert for waxoyl on here. He has done all his cars and is very knowledgeable. I’ve not heard any mention of having a battery pack being an issue and can’t see why this should be as it’s well sealed against the elements.

Yeh your right about Chris seen some of the things he’s done but anyhow I’ve sent for some of the stuff Matt used now so will give that ago now maybe if I can borrow or hire a couple of hours for a lift in my local garage won’t be to difficult true what Matt said loads of space under the back but the stills and chassis rails a bit more awkward on your back because of the plastic covers thanks again
Les

 

[Lovemyev]

@MilesperkWh on one of the pod casts said he did not see any reason that MG would object to improving the underbody protection with cavity wax injection.
Why would they, you are only improving what is NOT already there !.
Applying extra sealant OVER the original factory applied stuff, yeah I could see that being an issue with them, but injecting inside of the rails etc should not be a problem surely.