Mk3 Rust - Is This Bad?

[PaulGTS]

Hi All,

I have just joined as I am looking to buy a MK3 2.0 and found this site and the forums to be a great help. Please can you give me some advice? I have potentially found a bargain priced car but I have found rust underneath, would this put you off or am I worrying too much?

Its a 2006 2.0 Sport - Pictures are available on the link below

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=23dca86ede27...

Thanks in advance

Paul

[hornetrider]

Wow, that doesn't look good does it? The 3rd pic in particular looks bad, I'd walk and find another.

[PaulGTS]

I thought as much, thanks for the advice and quick reply

[LordJammy]

It's always disappointing when you see Mk3s like that. Given the rep the 1s and 2s had for it you'd have thought Mazda would have tried a bit harder 3rd time round.

[Dewi Sant]

If anything the Mk3s are worse than the mk1 and mk2 (not includng the mk2.5 in that given its habit of for rotting out the front chassis rails). I had a 2011 Sport Black bought with 5k miles on it at less than 2 years old from a main dealer which was a disgrace underneath. I ended up having to scrape it all clean, rustproof and paint it, there was hardly any paint on the rear and front subframes at all. It's now been got rid of through the trade and good riddance to it

I'm just in the process of going back to basics and having a Mk1 imported from Japan, I'd never buy another nearly new or new Mazda of any description. The Mk1 was the best of the lot, sorry I ever sold my first one.

[Flip Martian]

I did a lot of reading up on various forums before buying my MK 3 and I didn't come across any mentions of rust being a problem. In fact all the talk of rust on them steered me away from a MK 2.5 and towards the 3.

Oh joy.

[clarki]

That is bad.

Mine was spotless underneath - as mentioned, walk away, shouldnt be like that.

[Richard Houlgate]

I have just looked at 3 Mk3s, two 2009 and a 2005. All were developing rust as in the photos previously.

2005 sill



2005 just in front of wheel arch



2009 just in front of wheel arch

[Flip Martian]

I can't see how there can be any excuse on a modern car. We're not buying 1980s Fiats here. Mazda should rectify shoddy work like this.

[g40steve]

A 2005 car is now 10 years old if it has been neglected what did you expect?

[RumRunner]

Walk away...
Most cars look like this on the underside these days of that age if used in the winter. Bodies on most cars look great and then you look on the underside. The slightest amount of black paint and no wax protection. First thing a do these day before I go and look at any used car it to ask the seller to take a few shots with the phone...saves me.miles of travel.
Best is one not used in the winter and likely low mileage. Then waxoyle it.
I good indicator on Ad images are of the brake discs, caliper and back plates. If they are rusty you get bet the underside will be not far behind. It gives a good indication of winter use and outside storage

Edited by RumRunner on Monday 19th October 00:00