Author Topic: Rust Issue  (Read 4663 times)

SpookyGal

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Rust Issue
« on: August 02, 2026, 06:28:29 PM »
I have found a mk3 Jazz I like. Drives well, no weird noises. Full service history, only advisories for 2 tyres since 2018, and passed first time. Put a deposit down and awaiting balance to make final purchase. It's from a Honda dealership.

I took the 2 pictures attached and have had my mechanic look at them and both he and my OH say surface rust. The car came from a place that has flooding in the county and is near the sea. I am panicking now as I can't get it to my independant garage until after I have purchased it. It's a manual Sport, so hard to come by. No musty smells. No damp in lights, etc.

Am I over panicking?

UKjim

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2026, 07:03:42 PM »
I'm shocked that an Honda dealer would present a car for sale with obvious corrosion around the rear of the alloy wheel centre, rusty wheel nuts and ingrained dirt on the wheel around the nuts.
It's normal for the brake discs to have surface rust but on this car they look well rusted, looks like it's been sitting around for a while.
Personally I wouldn't purchases an 8 year old car that's lived all its life by the sea, but that's just me.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2026, 09:01:21 PM by UKjim »

SpookyGal

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2026, 07:32:59 PM »
I'm shocked that an Honda dealer would present a car for sale with obvious corrosive around the rear of the alloy wheel centre, rusty wheel nuts and ingrained dirt on the wheel around the nuts.
It's normal for the brake discs to have surface rust but on this car they look well rusted, looks like it's been sitting around for a while.
Personally I wouldn't purchases an 8 year old car that's lived all its life by the sea, but that's just me.

Yes, this is what I am thinking. I know it was presented for sale about a month ago. I am just not feeling happy. The money to pay for it should have been here last week so I am just wondering if it is another reason to think about walking away.

UKjim

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2026, 08:59:36 PM »
Obviously it's your money but experience has taught me if there is the slightest doubt walk away.

Kremmen

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2026, 05:46:46 AM »
Suggest to the dealer (Honda ?) that you would need a full independent inspection and see what the reply or attitude is

Avoid an expensive mistake on a badly presented car
Let's be careful out there !

SpookyGal

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2026, 08:40:26 AM »
Suggest to the dealer (Honda ?) that you would need a full independent inspection and see what the reply or attitude is

Avoid an expensive mistake on a badly presented car

Yes it is Honda. To be fair, the balance I was promised last week to pay for this, still hasn't arrived. No word since last Tuesday from the Executor, despite promising to send. This may fall through and my deposit will need to be returned.
Sometimes things happen for a reason.

Lord Voltermore

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2026, 09:20:04 AM »
The rusty disc doesnt look too bad to me. Some cars, inc the Jazz, get surface rust on discs  very quickly when not driven regularly.  Even overnight in damp weather.

The body work adjacent to the inner wheel lining doesnt look great  but I am more concerned about what you can see in the background. Looks like a brake line is badly rusted.(although this part of the picture is out of focus )   .  Sometimes  dubious 'cowboy' car dealers might seek to disguise this with a coat of paint, or worse still, a coat of underseal. This might deceive a buyer  but not an MOT tester.

There also appears to be other rust in the same, distant ,underbody area  but this is not always a bad thing.  Some suspension parts are made of cast iron which is notoriously difficult to effectively prime and paint. Its often left unpainted and allowed to form surface rust which is actually quite an effective protective barrier on cast iron.

I'm surprised that Honda dealership is selling an 8 year old car direct to the public. They would normally pass it on through the trade.  It could indicate that its a particularly good example  - but maybe not.

I agree with the others. If it doesnt feel right, trust your instincts.  I dont know the legal situation about return of deposit etc. The citizens advice bureaux might be able to advise.





« Last Edit: August 04, 2026, 09:23:30 AM by Lord Voltermore »
My IQ test came back negative

SpookyGal

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Re: Rust Issue
« Reply #7 on: Today at 07:55:03 PM »
The rusty disc doesnt look too bad to me. Some cars, inc the Jazz, get surface rust on discs  very quickly when not driven regularly.  Even overnight in damp weather.

The body work adjacent to the inner wheel lining doesnt look great  but I am more concerned about what you can see in the background. Looks like a brake line is badly rusted.(although this part of the picture is out of focus )   .  Sometimes  dubious 'cowboy' car dealers might seek to disguise this with a coat of paint, or worse still, a coat of underseal. This might deceive a buyer  but not an MOT tester.

There also appears to be other rust in the same, distant ,underbody area  but this is not always a bad thing.  Some suspension parts are made of cast iron which is notoriously difficult to effectively prime and paint. Its often left unpainted and allowed to form surface rust which is actually quite an effective protective barrier on cast iron.

I'm surprised that Honda dealership is selling an 8 year old car direct to the public. They would normally pass it on through the trade.  It could indicate that its a particularly good example  - but maybe not.

I agree with the others. If it doesnt feel right, trust your instincts.  I dont know the legal situation about return of deposit etc. The citizens advice bureaux might be able to advise.
Oh if you pop on the UK used and approved Honda Jazz page, there have been loads of 2018/9 mk3's for sale. This is how I found the car. This one is just under 8 years old.
I read your post and took your words on board. After getting the service history from them today and looking through it all, I have taken a punt. 14 days rejection and they have to drive it nearly 60 miles to drop it off. Yes, I have seen and test driven the car. It will be booked straight in with my local garage to go up on the ramp and assessed. If I have done this right, with a little rust care, I may have got a good 'un!

If not, it goes back.

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