Corrosion on a B9?

[Bonkers]

I was looking at buying a 2008 (58) model, 80,000 miles. All looked good for the year and miles, but when I checked the MOT history, there was an advisory of underbody corrosion in 2016. I have never come across this on a any other Berlingo/Partner of this age. I am sure they will all have galvanized chassis.
Has anyone else come across corrosion as an issue or MOT advisory on the B9?

[jj9]

The vehicle you looked at may have been from a coastal area or has spent time at one, it really does make a difference so it always pays to look at the underside of a vehicle despite how new it is.

You can tell where a car was registered by it's registration . .  
https://www.newreg.co.uk/dvla-number-plate-identifiers/



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[Bonkers]

Thanks.
Vehicle was registered in Glasgow. Tends to be a bit wet up there?

[jj9]

Glasgow isn't really coastal but the vehicle may not have spent it's whole life there.

I've seen a couple of cars from Inverness / Aberdeen and they have been very rusty on the underside.

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[ffrenchie]

I was looking at buying a 2008 (58) model, 80,000 miles. All looked good for the year and miles, but when I checked the MOT history, there was an advisory of underbody corrosion in 2016. I have never come across this on a any other Berlingo/Partner of this age. I am sure they will all have galvanized chassis.
Has anyone else come across corrosion as an issue or MOT advisory on the B9?

Underbody protection on the cars is pretty good these days but very doubtful it would be galvanised. The body is monocoque so no chassis to speak of but the underside may have been damaged.

[Gravity]

Underbody protection on many modern cars is a disgrace, because vital areas are often not protected. As a result of this thread I've inspected my B9, now eight years old. It is sound underneath, so I have no worries there, but ...

I have recently had to scrap an eight year old Fiat Panda, with immaculate bofywork and great mechanics, because the spring cups on the rear axle had completely rotted away. A new rear axle and the labour to change it is more costly than the car's market value.

Mercedes owners are now finding that their cherished eight or nine year old Mercs are.failing Mot's because the rear subframes are totally rotten.

It seems to be one area that manufacturers have chosen to ignore.

[magoo]

My 2009 Berlingo has the pan covering the underside so how do I look without taking the pan off?

[V6BOY]

Wow rust on a B9, I've seen old dogs of the MK2 pristine underneath. Suppose damage underseal, paint ect and rust won't be long appearing.

[Lighty]

I wouldn’t take much notice of the mot advisories until you have looked yourself.
Many mot testers , especially new ones write down all manner of twoddle regarding potential defects.
You could go to 10 different mot stations and get different advisories at each one.

[jj9]

Underbody protection on many modern cars is a disgrace, because vital areas are often not protected. As a result of this thread I've inspected my B9, now eight years old. It is sound underneath, so I have no worries there, but ...

I have recently had to scrap an eight year old Fiat Panda, with immaculate bofywork and great mechanics, because the spring cups on the rear axle had completely rotted away. A new rear axle and the labour to change it is more costly than the car's market value.

Mercedes owners are now finding that their cherished eight or nine year old Mercs are.failing Mot's because the rear subframes are totally rotten.

It seems to be one area that manufacturers have chosen to ignore.

That unfortunately is down to the "Throw away World"  we now live in.

Why as a manufacture would you want to make your item last ten years when the consumer only wants it for three!

Leasing vehicles (unfortunately) is the future, 1 in 4 cars are now leased with the numbers growing, so the lifespan of cars is going to reflect this.

Long gone are the days of buying a Mercedes, BMW, VW, Toyota, etc, because they were premium brands, all vehicles these days are sharing the same crucial components . . . bought in from companies who produced them to a volume price.
There's no Heart in the motor industry any longer, companies aren't proud of what they produce, they need to meet targets for shareholders and accountants are calling the shots.

It may seen bitter and harsh, but it's the truth.


The days of the classic are long gone..... money & sales rule.


There will never be another classic from a mainstream company. . .  Sad, Isn't it !



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