Q:I have a very nice looking mechanically good car which when I put into storage five years ago, was going a little soft underneath. For example on a couple of occasions when jacking up the car the jack would pierce the sill. I have not looked at other parts in detail but I assume that at least some other work will be necessary to the usual areas, mountings, ear hangers etc.
Obviously it is difficult to judge from a distance but what would a typical structural overhaul of the underneath of the car cost approximately if I decided to take the car out of storage? On the road the car feels extremely solid.

A: I hope you realize that you are asking me to do a lot of guesswork. Prices depend on where the repairs are effected (labour costs can vary dramatically) and on how much you are prepared to do yourself. If you are very lucky, you may get away by replacing the inner and outer sills only. Replacement sills might cost around 50 pounds each depending on quality and availability.

If you have to rebuild the subframe mounting area(s), you must pull out the subframe with all mechanicals. It is obvious that it is a job one should try to do himself since a garage might charge up to 10 hour labour just to remove the subframe (and 10 hours to put it back). Once the subframe is out of the way, replacing the floorpan and subframe mounting areas becomes a costly exercise if carried out by a body shop (a guess might be 500-1,000 pounds including parts).
If the mounting points of the rear leaf springs are shot, then you have a rather difficult job which in itself could be the factor determining if it is viable to repair the car or scrap it.

As a guide I recently met someone in Italy who was quoted 3,500 pounds to rebuild completely the bottom part of a Fulvia S2 coupe which was in really bad condition.

I should add that any repair to the structure of the car should be carried out by a competent person otherwise safety and handling will be at risk. If the rear subframe mounts have gone, the car tends to squeak and rattle when driving over irregular surfaces. All this is often associated with a stress fracture at the top of the front wheel arch. It cannot be overemphasized that such problems can be at least partly prevented by injecting the box sections with a suitable antirust fluid via the purpose-made holes in the car body. Unfortunately, once rust has developed, the only cure is cutting and replacing the affected steel.
Good luck, - Andrea -