| Rust is rust. It's unsightly, it speaks of neglect and | | | | Where to Look For Rust |
| inevitable decay. And no one likes it. Certainly not | | | | The most likely areas to check for rust are in and |
| on cars, whether used cars or new. After all, we | | | | around the wheel wells, and on the fenders |
| want our cars looking shiny and brand-new, just | | | | immediately behind the tyres. These are the war |
| as it was when it left the car dealer lot. | | | | zones where your tyres will kick up stones and |
| When it comes to buying used cars, no one | | | | chip the paint. The front of your car can also |
| wants to buy a rust bucket. Rust radically | | | | catch flying stones from other cars, making this a |
| depreciates your used car's resale value. So, | | | | problem area as well. |
| whether want to buy used car or a new one, the | | | | The next time you're looking at used cars for |
| trick is keeping rust from taking root in your car. | | | | sale, use a torch to look underneath the car, and |
| Three basic steps are: | | | | behind the front and rear tyres on both sides. Of |
| FIND RUST | | | | course, before you do this make sure the car is |
| KEEP IT FROM STARTING | | | | parked on a level surface in park/gear and the |
| ATTEND TO IT ONCE IT HAS STARTED | | | | emergency brake on. If it is on a slope, put blocks |
| Most people shopping around at the used car | | | | under the wheels for added safety. Shine your |
| dealer lot fail to detect rust simply because they | | | | light on the inside of the fenders and wheel wells. |
| don't know where to spot it. Of course, you can't | | | | Another word to the wise for those who buy |
| expect the dealer to be upfront about rust in | | | | used car |
| their used cars for sale. One needs to understand | | | | Avoid cars with fresh paint. Think about it: no one |
| then how rust usually starts and where it is most | | | | paints a car just because the colour has faded a |
| likely to emerge. | | | | little. It was painted because either it was in an |
| How Rust Starts | | | | accident or it had a rust problem or worse yet - |
| Rust usually begins through the chips and nicks | | | | both! A crash repairer can hide a lot of sin with |
| your car receives from the pebbles and stones | | | | paint and body filler |
| that hit it during daily driving. With a small nick | | | | Other rust-prone places to check when buying a |
| exposing bare metal in an unnoticeable location, it | | | | used car are the exterior flooring under the |
| is just a matter of time until rust forms. | | | | driver's and passenger's seats, the interior flooring |
| Left unchecked long enough, this tiny nick will eat | | | | underneath the carpeting/matting, under the |
| its way through to the other side. When this | | | | carpeting/matting in the boot, and around the |
| happens you have problems because once a rust | | | | engine compartment. Use your torch, your eyes, |
| hole starts, it cannot be stopped. It can only be | | | | and your fingers! |
| slowed down. | | | | |