Rusted Rotors on used cars - Bad Sign

[Ursus]

Last evening, I went with a friend to check out a car that he was interested in buying. The seller offered it up for $2,000. It had 130,000 km on it and was a 10 year old car. By the numbers, it seemed like a good deal.

When we drove there, my friend was very excited because the car looked good in terms of the paint, winshield condition, tires looked only a few years old etc.

But, the first thing I do when I look at any car is check out the condition of the rotors. If I see heavy rust buildup, I know the car isnt being driven often. And cars that arent driven often are rarely maintained well. In fact, its often the avoidance of making needed repairs that causes someone to stop driving the car in the first place. So, when I approached the car and saw the tell-tale sign - heavily rusted rotors - I asked him if he had insurance on the vehicle at the moment. He hesitated and admitted to me he didnt. And so with that, I told my friend to walk away IMMEDIATELY and not even consider buying the car.

Anytime you see heavy rust on rotors, do not buy that car. I am not talkiing about light build up that happens over night when a car is parked, but the heavy rusting that gouges the rotors and ruins them. That almost always means trouble.

A car that is not driven is not being driven for a reason.
Usually the person needs to make major repairs to drive the car daily, but is avoiding spending the money.
That means either major suspension repairs, steering issues, transmission issues or even computer/sensor issues that are not being addressed.

And when you ask them to show you a valid insurance slip, 50% of the time they cant. A car that doesnt have insurance will not be a car that is being fixed as need be.

Just a word of advice - look out for the condition of the rotors when buying a car. Its a tell-tale sign of problems.

Rust on the body is another thing to consider, as that shows the car was not washed often. An unwashed car isnt going to be a well-maintained car. If you cant afford $12 to wash your car, you also cant afford $500 to repair your car when need be.

 

[Pay2Play]

The last time I helped a friend shop for a $2000 car I was still in my teens.

 

[OG_funguy]

What are your tell-tale signs for when a pussy hasn't been used that often?

 

[Hangdai]

I think someone is missing Mohamed Bouchama on CP24 AutoShop every Sunday evening.

I think the show will return soon.

 

[Whitesnake1987]

I think someone is missing Mohamed Bouchama on CP24 AutoShop every Sunday evening.

I think the show will return soon.

Bouchama was doing auto shows on Rogers public television 30 years ago, talk about longevity... however, he doesn't know shit.

Back then, some guy called about his Buick Grand National, Bouchama thought it was a regular Regal.

Sent from my T08 using Tapatalk

 

[krayjee]

I think someone is missing Mohamed Bouchama on CP24 AutoShop every Sunday evening.

I think the show will return soon.

He tried to sell me a Quebec Honda accord as a local one owner car about 25 yrs ago as a curb sider private sale. He didn't know shit about cars at that time. I pointed him out what to looks for. He is pretty good now.

 

[Hornet]

He checked the exhaust as well

 

[snoopdoggie]

Last evening, I went with a friend to check out a car that he was interested in buying. The seller offered it up for $2,000. It had 130,000 km on it and was a 10 year old car. By the numbers, it seemed like a good deal.

When we drove there, my friend was very excited because the car looked good in terms of the paint, winshield condition, tires looked only a few years old etc.

But, the first thing I do when I look at any car is check out the condition of the rotors. If I see heavy rust buildup, I know the car isnt being driven often. And cars that arent driven often are rarely maintained well. In fact, its often the avoidance of making needed repairs that causes someone to stop driving the car in the first place. So, when I approached the car and saw the tell-tale sign - heavily rusted rotors - I asked him if he had insurance on the vehicle at the moment. He hesitated and admitted to me he didnt. And so with that, I told my friend to walk away IMMEDIATELY and not even consider buying the car.

Anytime you see heavy rust on rotors, do not buy that car. I am not talkiing about light build up that happens over night when a car is parked, but the heavy rusting that gouges the rotors and ruins them. That almost always means trouble.

A car that is not driven is not being driven for a reason.
Usually the person needs to make major repairs to drive the car daily, but is avoiding spending the money.
That means either major suspension repairs, steering issues, transmission issues or even computer/sensor issues that are not being addressed.

And when you ask them to show you a valid insurance slip, 50% of the time they cant. A car that doesnt have insurance will not be a car that is being fixed as need be.

Just a word of advice - look out for the condition of the rotors when buying a car. Its a tell-tale sign of problems.

Rust on the body is another thing to consider, as that shows the car was not washed often. An unwashed car isnt going to be a well-maintained car. If you cant afford $12 to wash your car, you also cant afford $500 to repair your car when need be.

It's true that some people don't want to, or can't spend money on routine maintenance. A thorough brake job can be over a grand. But it beats spending 30 grand on a new vehicle. It's sad because then they need to spend more on a new vehicle. And you say it only had 130 k ? That car was barely broken in. I change all my fluids regularly, keep my wheels aligned, keep the tires topped up, etc. I have well over 350,000 km, and it's still going strong.

It's like the Pennzoil commercial; "You can spend a little now, or a lot more later".

 

[snoopdoggie]

I think someone is missing Mohamed Bouchama on CP24 AutoShop every Sunday evening.

I think the show will return soon.

If that was the same guy I'm thinking about, then he's full of shit. He was always talking about Asian cars like they were the only things alive. What a bunch of crap. It's no wonder you say he's no longer on.

 

[cupcrazy]

have a good mechanic inspect the car. My first car Dodge Neon acquired from online ad went down in flame (not literally but I killed the transmission for good after one year of use). I only pay $500 for that shit car. I got a Toyota Corella (a former driver instructor car) for my former courier job. Check engine light, shitty a/c other than that the car was fine. Then I got a better job and I acquired a brand new civic 8 years ago. It is still running great even thought it is the shittest Civic model ever built.

 

[snoopdoggie]

have a good mechanic inspect the car. My first car Dodge Neon acquired from online ad went down in flame (not literally but I killed the transmission for good after one year of use). I only pay $500 for that shit car. I got a Toyota Corella (a former driver instructor car) for my former courier job. Check engine light, shitty a/c other than that the car was fine. Then I got a better job and I acquired a brand new civic 8 years ago. It is still running great even thought it is the shittest Civic model ever built.

Was that Corolla and Civic built in Ontario?

 

[karlcox]

Rust on the rotors is completely normal. It happens when cars are sitting around with out being driven. take It for a drive and the rust will be gone In 60 seconds.

happens to all of my cars and I have a 2019 Porsche 911 4S, a 2016 Range Rover Sport and a 2020 Audi A7.

 

[OG_funguy]

Rust on the rotors is completely normal. It happens when cars are sitting around with out being driven. take It for a drive and the rust will be gone In 60 seconds.

happens to all of my cars and I have a 2019 Porsche 911 4S, a 2016 Range Rover Sport and a 2020 Audi A7.

Nice cars...

 

[cupcrazy]

Was that Corolla and Civic built in Ontario?

not sure. but I wouldn't be surprise they are built in Ontario.