Should I avoid a car that's had a recent underseal?

[Rustybits]

I'm looking an MX5 that's popped up locally, it's got low mileage and full a service history and the condition looks to be quite good (described as immaculate of course!)

But one thing that is making me think twice about arranging a viewing is that it's recently had an underseal.

There is no mention of any corrosion to the chassis on the MOT history, but there are advisories for corrosion on suspension components, described as 'very rusty'.

The sills look in good condition, but I am just wary that the 'recent underseal' is hiding a number of horrors underneath... Should I avoid?

[Red9zero]

Probably a bit of over zealous tarting up before selling. Ask if they have any "before" pictures.

[steveo3002]

yeah you should be wary...its either a cover up or a keen enthusiast owner

[ReverendCounter]

I would personally avoid it, seeing as there's the 'very rusty' comments and they're renowned for rusting. There's bound to be another one without underseal coming up before long.

[Xcore]

Just avoid mk2s and take a magnet

[Pica-Pica]

Avoid. Never had a car under sealed since the 70s (never worked then either).

[jonwm]

I'm looking to sell my R53 Mini, it had rust on the suspension components, it's been like that for the last few mot's it does hardly any miles and is garaged.

I was recommended to get it undersealed but refused as it is what it is, in return they marked every single component as rusty looks like a right rust bucket now!!

I've taken pics so when I advertise it it's visible what's bad and what's not.

[ARHarh]

Depends on who done it and how it was done. If done by the owner run, if done by a professional check them out to see what they do, I know of one place that does this to MX5's and he will not do it to rusty cars they need properly fixing first, and he uses good materials. A proper job on a properly repaired car can only be a good thing.

[ESD1711]

On its own I wouldn’t say it’s reason to avoid it.

Reason to be weary of it perhaps, but not reason to avoid it right away.

Go see it, give it a good once over and satisfy yourself with the condition it’s in before making a decision.

[griffter]

Most “underseal” jobs get the stuff all over the things you want left clean - pipes, clips, fasteners, bushes, exhaust etc. To do a job properly takes time, effort and really only needs application on the rust prone areas, and then on the area that is susceptible (for example of the area rusts from the inside out).

It isn’t always a bad thing but personally I’d regard it as more likely to mean trouble than not.

[Tommo87]

If it’s a Mk2 or 2.5 and has no paperwork saying that the front chassis and rear sill have been replaced already, then you should brace yourself for that inevitable bill.

The underside components are notorious for rusting surface only though.

[Autodromo]

I looked at a restored MK1 Escort Mexico years ago , before prices went mental , heavy underseal , quite fresh .
Not 1 piece of paperwork to show the resto .
I walked away .

[Rustybits]

Thanks for all the comments, I've decided that on balance I'm not going to pursue it any further.

[M.F.D]

Most JDM imports get undersealed when they come into the UK due to rust issues. Don't understand why people would avoid a car just because of this.

Go see the car, you'll get a vibe if it's decent or not I'm sure...

[Jonstar]

M.F.D said:

Most JDM imports get undersealed when they come into the UK due to rust issues. Don't understand why people would avoid a car just because of this.

Go see the car, you'll get a vibe if it's decent or not I'm sure...

Exactly, it's ridiculous to avoid a car because its been undersealed which is preventative maintenance, strange mentalities on here sometimes.

[oceanview]

Jonstar said:

M.F.D said:

Most JDM imports get undersealed when they come into the UK due to rust issues. Don't understand why people would avoid a car just because of this.

Go see the car, you'll get a vibe if it's decent or not I'm sure...

Exactly, it's ridiculous to avoid a car because its been undersealed which is preventative maintenance, strange mentalities on here sometimes.

Probably because in most cases, no prep work is done first- sometimes not even wire brushed off the loose rust!

Putting a whole load of black Waxoyl or whatever will ultimately makes things worse if its all not pre-prepared properly- moisture will be trapped or find its way in through the poorly applied stuff and continue to rot away unhindered.

My 2010 Galaxy had surface corrosion in various places underneath- not bad enough to be mentioned on the MOT- but, i like to attend to these things even when i don't plan to keep it forever.
Rather than really go to town on this vehicle ( i would have for something special), i brushed and rubbed evreywhere and then applied ACF 50/Corrosion block evenly over all surfaces. It dries well and you can still see underneath it so can see its not hiding any deeper problems.

Its worked great over the last year and no further corrosion has appeared.

[RonnieHotdogs]

I walked away from a MK2 mx5 a few months ago as it had been "undersealed".

What it actually meant was a liberal spraying of a very thick tar like substance over the entire underside of the car ... Bodywork, suspension components, exhaust ... The lot.

I've seen a few cars undersealed, and this was beyond extreme.

Couldn't see what condition the underside was actually in because of it, so decided not to continue.

[Ian Geary]

Things like suspension arms might be covered in surface rust, but would take decades to rust through to the point they could snap.

Sills and bodywork near structural pints though..far more risky, and on a car known for its rust, this just shouts cover up job (maybe because what the mot tester can't see, they can't fail on?)

Any enthusiast would have taken before and after pics surely

[nessiemac]

Knowing how bad MX5’s can be I think a freshly under sealed one with lots of that black sticky stuff would put me off.

However if they had decent before pics and it looked very neat and tidy then maybe worth looking deeper, boroscope in the sills and looking at chassis rails etc.

Would prefer to see before and after like this though.....;)