How long would you expect your car to be rust free?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › How long would you expect your car to be rust free?

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#578661 8-Feb-2012 12:44

yeah yeah yeah, Found on Rubbish dump, Fix or Repair Daily. Or for Fiat, Fix it again tonio.

Cyril

scuwp

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#578683 8-Feb-2012 13:18

sen8or: Fords, rust problems, really?

And here I was thinking
Full
Of
Rust &
Dirt

was just a jibe.....

Nope, founded well and truly on fact :-) Comes down to poor attention to detail in finish and final assembly. All Aussie assembled cars are the same. No one can finish off a car like the Japanese (and now Korean) plants.

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jaymz

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#578685 8-Feb-2012 13:24

10 years seems an awfully short amount of time for rust to be a problem.

I have a '96 Holden Commodore that hasn't got a single spot of rust on it (some surface rust on the diff, and of course some on the headers)

My car has always been garaged, and washed often.

Does you car live outside? or is it in a garage?

I think rust in cars is going to become more and more of an issue with recycled steel being used more and more. There is more chance of impurities in the steel.

Saying that though, it does almost sound like a manufacturing fault, the steel under the windscreen rubber should have been sealed properly. However i have never looked at a PT Cruiser up close, so couldnt say if it was bad design or not.

sleemanj

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#578686 8-Feb-2012 13:27

A lot longer than 10 years on a modern car!

No way you should be seeing any rust problems on a car only 10 years old. I'd hope that it's nothing more than a bit of surface rust that a bit of sand paper, rust kill, and a rattle can of paint would sort but if it was anything more I'd be knocking on the door of the dealer you bought it from, with the CGA in your bag if need be.

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Chainsaw

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#578690 8-Feb-2012 13:33

My 17 yo Corolla has no rust, that I'm aware of anyway, and I don't intend to go looking for it!

Lurch

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#578725 8-Feb-2012 15:15

Have had several cars all 9-12 years old no rust on any of them (touch wood, have just bought another 10 year old car). Not something I'd expect to find on a car that old.

How long have you had the car?

My parents bought a Nissan Primera (2002 from memory) recently had rust along the underneath of the car. Which should have been picked up when the car was inspected. This was a few months after the car was purchased, the dealer has stepped up and said he will sort the issue.

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freitasm

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#578730 8-Feb-2012 15:21

I am the only owner of the car, so I have had it for almost ten years now.

Went to a garage here today, $500 to fix it, but booked for March, about five weeks away.

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#578731 8-Feb-2012 15:22

freitasm: It's a Chrysler PT Cruiser. First buyer, NZ new...

My experience is that built quality on US cars isn't really that great to be honest, at least when compared to european and Japanese cars. Modern Japanese cars, you wouldn't expect any rust after just 10 years, as long as it is well maintained, and not by the sea. It is the hidden areas, like cavities and flashings that you don't see that tend to rust, and it can be due to poor design and drainage of the cavities.

Look up your car in the dog and lemon guide to see if it is a noted problem,and if there have been any recalls on it. If it is a known defect or design problem the manufacturer may help you out. I had a car that pooled water in a light cavity, due to a design defect with the seals, and the manufacturer fixed it, just luckily it was still in warrenty.

xpd

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#578748 8-Feb-2012 15:54

Some Jap imports have rust issues underneath due to their salting of the roads during snow etc, hence why if youre buying an import and the underneath is all freshly painted, get it checked out.

XPD / Gavin

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xpd

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#578750 8-Feb-2012 15:56

Oh was going to mention as well while on topic of rust and cars... last WOF at On-Road, the wife got told "got rust in the back" - she asked where and they couldnt tell her. Idiots.... our current mechanic had a look around (he does WOF as well but for some reason didnt use him that day) and couldnt see any issues at all.

XPD / Gavin

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mattwnz

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#578751 8-Feb-2012 15:58

xpd: Some Jap imports have rust issues underneath due to their salting of the roads during snow etc, hence why if youre buying an import and the underneath is all freshly painted, get it checked out.

You can get that with European cars too. One reason to be wary of imports. The CGA may apply for a brand new car that rusts within a reasonable period of time. 10 years though maybe over a 'reasonable' period of time.

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#578879 8-Feb-2012 19:02

cyril7:
I had a Pajero 93, second hand import from Japan (sold it last year). More than fifteen years, never had any problem with rust.

And the electrics ?

Cyril

nope, there was no problem with that car. all the electronics are still from '93... pretty cool car.

Shoes2468

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#578926 8-Feb-2012 20:58

I have a Jap import thats over 10 years and don't have any problems, however I believe garaging a vehicle makes lots of difference. Is the PT cruiser garaged? The constant heat / cold / frost isnt great for the rubber seals.

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#578933 8-Feb-2012 21:06

I think UV damage would add up faster.

mattwnz

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#578938 8-Feb-2012 21:15

Google PT cruiser + Rust, heaps of photos and stories.

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