Does my 850 have a rust problem?

[Guest]

On the front lower side panels, just behind the front wheels it looks like s ome of the paint is scratched off with brown showing through. I guess this must be rust but I'd like to know how I can test how bad the rust is underneath the paint and what I can do to try to reduce the speed that it spreads throughout the car.

I had the underneath of the car checked as part of safety inspection with the Volvo club and it didn't look rusty and no mention was made of rust problem.

I don't like rust because it lowers the strength/safety of the car but I know Volvos are more rust resistant than most.

I also want to find a good panel beater for colour matching the paint to fix chips in it on the bonnet (which are not showing signs of rust). Would a panel beater be able to offer help/advice on the rust on the side panels?

Can anyone recommend a good panel beater located in Melbourne, Australia or how to go about finding one? How much would colour matching cost?