Rear arch and tailgate corrosion
Attaches to 312 at chassis level · Body & corrosion · carried by 2 variants across 1 chassis
Overview
Rear arch and tailgate corrosion is a common fault recorded against 312 at chassis level, typically from 80–180k km. It shows up as bubbling paint above the rear arches, rust around the tailgate handle and the lower edges of the doors. Where it's documented, the repair runs €250–€1,200 (cut, treat and repaint per arch at a bodyshop, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 2 variants across 1 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Bubbling paint above the rear arches, rust around the tailgate handle and the lower edges of the doors.
Cause. The shell was built to a price and the arch seams trap salt and moisture. Once it shows through the paint the repair is a bodyshop job, and on a car at this value that decides whether it's worth keeping.
How to check it
Static checks
Look along the rear arches in good light and run your hand inside the lip. Bubbling in the paint means the metal underneath has already gone, so judge the car on this before anything mechanical.
Engine off, ideally on a lift.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 8V 169A4 | 312 | hatchback | 2007–2015 | R1 | €3,400 | 21% |
| 1.3 MultiJet 199B1 | 312 | hatchback | 2007–2015 | R3 | €3,750 | 19% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.