When is rust acceptable? Mk2.5
Discussion
I understand that rust on the sills, back arches, chassis rail, are big NO’s.
These areas are well-documented enough that everyone should know what to look out for now.
My question is about the other parts.
For example, along the bottom of the doors, in the boot, under the bonnet, etc.
Getting my first mx5 soon. I’m looking at a 2004 1.6 at a modest price. The rust that the seller felt noticeable enough to tell me about was under the bonnet.
I’m thinking it’s not a deal breaker, but I thought I’d ask you guys.
Also, how about the boot? And I understand if it’s damp inside the boot or in front of the seats there’s a good chance it’s rotting the panels underneath. Is that a good enough reason to run away?
Thanks for the help
These areas are well-documented enough that everyone should know what to look out for now.
My question is about the other parts.
For example, along the bottom of the doors, in the boot, under the bonnet, etc.
Getting my first mx5 soon. I’m looking at a 2004 1.6 at a modest price. The rust that the seller felt noticeable enough to tell me about was under the bonnet.
I’m thinking it’s not a deal breaker, but I thought I’d ask you guys.
Also, how about the boot? And I understand if it’s damp inside the boot or in front of the seats there’s a good chance it’s rotting the panels underneath. Is that a good enough reason to run away?
Thanks for the help
The rust in the pictures is just surface rust and nothing to worry about. Check around the inner wheel arches and the chassis legs. The chassis legs can look fine on top but have great big holes underneath.
Also check all along the sills and wheel arches. It’s going to be rusty as they all are but it just depends how bad.
Also check all along the sills and wheel arches. It’s going to be rusty as they all are but it just depends how bad.
As you mentioned in your original post and others have advised, underneath is where you should be concentrating your attention...
The engine bay rust is minor and easily sorted... I’d always avoid the term surface rust because those spots in parts look to have gone a little deeper (and the metal isn’t very thick) but some sanding/filing/grinding should allow you to get rid of them if they bothered you. Having said that, that’s still a reasonable amount of engine bay rust which is more concerning as an indication of what the underside must look like - they don’t get that rusty in one area and then turn out pristine elsewhere. If it were me, I’d make an extra effort to get under the car and get the undertray etc off and have a really good look... And be prepared to walk away if need be...
The engine bay rust is minor and easily sorted... I’d always avoid the term surface rust because those spots in parts look to have gone a little deeper (and the metal isn’t very thick) but some sanding/filing/grinding should allow you to get rid of them if they bothered you. Having said that, that’s still a reasonable amount of engine bay rust which is more concerning as an indication of what the underside must look like - they don’t get that rusty in one area and then turn out pristine elsewhere. If it were me, I’d make an extra effort to get under the car and get the undertray etc off and have a really good look... And be prepared to walk away if need be...
As mentioned above, focus on getting an overall picture of how it looks underneath as my car looked great from the engine bay, and when I took a look at the underside it was starting to have a lot of surface rust. Bought the car and a year later have spent a considerable amount fixing chassis rails (I looked at them before buying,, seemed fine, turns out they weren’t). Personally I’d be ok with living with a bit of rust on sills and surface rust on some parts but definitely not ok with chassis rails. If you’re not in a rush and the car is just a bone stock mk2.5, you can wait for another one or simply negotiate for the price of rust repairs I think
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