Buying Unseen - Rust

[NeilMick]

Hello

Looking to buy a Mk3 but it's in Bolton which is about a 9 hour round trip for me, just to assess the condition of the car as I am worried about rust.

How bad is it on the mk3? The Mot history has no mention of it, would this be a good sign that the car is relatively rust free? The car is a 2007 and I dont mind having to spend some money to get any rust sorted, would a £500 budget cover any work that would need to be done regarding rust on a car this age?

Ideally I want to buy the car and get it transport to me, however buying unseen is a bit of a risk with the potential rust problem.

Thanks

Neil

[finishing touch]

Would you marry a woman without meeting her?

[NeilMick]

No, but that would be a considerably more expensive transaction. Also I just don't have the time available.

[BeirutTaxi]

There is no correct answer. If it has previously had a bump then the zinc coating will likely be damaged and the corrosion will be worse. Same goes for if it's ever lived by the sea, been driven through deep water etc etc.

On the other hand it might be okay. Why take the risk though on a very common car unless you are unbelievablely desperate? If you can then hang fire until the right example comes up locally.

[drgoatboy]

I wouldn't. I have seen several NC scrapped because of rust. As others have said it's not a rare car so why run the risk? If the rear arches are gone it will surely cost you more than £500.
What's the reason for travelling so far?

[Evoluzione]

finishing touch said:

Would you marry a woman without meeting her?

Lots of people do, there is even a TV program devoted to it. You will have heard of the term 'Arranged marriage'?

That aside OP it would be very silly to buy a car without looking at it, you need to look at the pinned threads at the top of this page, in particular the last post of the one with rust in the title with my name at the end of it.

[NeilMick]

Will try and find one closer to home, unfortunately car choices in this part of the world are always limited!

Car in question has the £2300 option Mazdaspeed bodykit on it hence the interest.

Thanks

Neil

[drgoatboy]

The body kit does put a different spin on it because it's rare.
Are you a member of the mx5 owners club? You could always ask if any local members would go give a once over before you travel?

[tonymor]

Being a predantic synic I'd worry that any body kit may well hide rust until closer examination?

[NeilMick]

The bodykit is full replacement bumpers and skirts. I've asked the dealer if they have any issue with an AA/RAC inspection as it's worth the £200.

[chuckh]

NeilMick said:

Hello

Looking to buy a Mk3 but it's in Bolton which is about a 9 hour round trip for me, just to assess the condition of the car as I am worried about rust.

How bad is it on the mk3? The Mot history has no mention of it, would this be a good sign that the car is relatively rust free? The car is a 2007 and I dont mind having to spend some money to get any rust sorted, would a £500 budget cover any work that would need to be done regarding rust on a car this age?

Ideally I want to buy the car and get it transport to me, however buying unseen is a bit of a risk with the potential rust problem.

T

Neil

I’ve travelled the length of the UK inc Scotland to buy cars described as rust free to find the sellers think because I’ve done so means I’m going to buy. Zero chance of that happening.

Buying unseen is foolish to say the least. NCs are very prone to sill and arch corrosion.

Great cars. I have a Pure Red 2.0 Sport with all the toys in mint original and rust free. It took some finding but it turned up on my doorstep.

[TheJimi]

Aye, agreed.

Mind you, an AA / RAC check may well mitigate things somewhat.

[CousinDupree]

Put a post up on general gassing for help from someone in Bolton to have a look at it, seeing as it's at a dealers.

I helped a PH'er out looking at a Lexus a while ago

[anonymous-user]

I really wanted to buy a Mk3.5 last year, but the more I delved into this issue, the more I realised it can be a little tricky to buy an MX5 even ten years old that isn't either rusty, or will be in the not too distant future.

Do bear in mind some owners, although not necessarily typical, have mentioned some of their mk3s failed MOT, on structural rust, at as little as 6 years old Admittedly, that may have been high mileage cars living oop north, but even so, it gives us pause for thought.

In the end, I bought a 2006 MR2. Even those, although nowhere near as rusty as a 5, can rust a little, not just on the famous crossmember, but also in a few places underneath. Mine had a very little surface rust just starting to take hold in a couple of small areas. I booked it into Rustbusters, in Spalding, and got them to do the works on it. It was quite pricey, but they did an excellent job that I'm very pleased with.

My advice, is try and spend a little longer saving, and look for a car that's newer and/or lower mileage and been garaged and mainly used as a second car. Then take it to either rustbusters or one of their competitors and get it future proofed. That's the best way to enjoy a car for several years with the peace of mind that rust isn't going to be a major issue, as far as I'm concerned. Beware of suspiciously cheap rust proofing contractors. They won't go to anywhere near the same level of trouble, and this will show in the long run.

Or ... PCP a new one. Actually not that bad a price if you can live with the relatively spritely 130 BHP 1.5.