A possible issue if buying from the UK

martydunf

Im tempted to import from the UK but one thing thats bothering me is that they are very fond of salting the roads over there, now a mechanic told me this causes the clips and nuts/bolts under the car/wheel arches to rust making the car difficult to work on.
This probably isn't so much of an issue with the newer cars (06 up?) but I plan to get a 2001 car.

Can anyone verify this for me? and is it a big problem?
Thanks

Carawaystick

Roads are salted here too you know.

martydunf

Carawaystick wrote: »

Roads are salted here too you know.

True but not as much as they are over there!

xt40

unprotected parts like screw heads and cast suspension parts etc will be a bit rustier but its not a big deal. it was a much bigger issue in the early eighties when body panels were made of recycled disprin but not nowadays

Mr Benevolent

The deicing mix is called 'salt' but is actually grit and sugar (molasses). That's been the norm for a quite a while.

Stevie Dakota

If its a 2001 then you are right to give it some serious thought. I bought a 4 year old BMW that already had evidence of corrosion on brakelines and certain suspension bolts. The trackrods could not even be adjusted the bolts were so corroded. This was a main dealer low mileage car too. Being a UK car it may look pristine and be very well maintained, but don't be fooled, get under the car. Mechanics will tell you that UK cars can be a bugger to work on underneath as a things can be all rusted up.

2001 cars would need to be very carefully examined depending on the model (what is it by the way?).

listermint

I bought an 01 E46 from the uk. Rust not a problem on it. There tends to be alot of rubbish about salt on roads which you will find under myths and old truths. Much of which doesnt apply to todays current road conditions.

just give the vehicle the proper checks and once over before you decide to buy. As with vehicles over here they can rust. Sure a car from beside the sea is rustier than a car bought from the midlands.

There is no set rules. Follow the checks and your head. forget the "old truths"

martydunf

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

2001 cars would need to be very carefully examined depending on the model (what is it by the way?).

Celica. Pretty much what the mechanic said to me. I guess it just means i'll have to get the brake lines/nuts/bolts replaced if they are rusted,

Dermo123

If it was me I would only replace the stuff if the NCT insisted upon it.
I bought a 20 year old Merc from the UK and all the ancillary bits underneath were rusted solid. NCT passed the car. Now when the time comes to replace a rubber brake hose or bushings then it will be difficult.
When it comes down to choosing between a well maintained older UK car or the usual uncared for Irish version I know which one I would pick.

Carawaystick

Confab wrote: »

The deicing mix is called 'salt' but is actually grit and sugar (molasses). That's been the norm for a quite a while.

I got a leaflet with my tax renewal about 2 years ago and the nra said they use salt from some mine in Cavan or Monaghan. And some local council in England started importing off them too while waiting for a shipment of salt from Spain. so I'd say it's sodium chloride they use alright. There may be grit mixed in sometimes, but I haven't seen any traces of grit left behind here after the weather improves.

Defo salt, there's a thread someplace here I wrote earlier. Ireland uses more per km than Finland, for example, and on par with UK.

Some days this winter my bike has looked rather furry as the steel fasteners on the alu engine have a nice coating of aluminimium as a result of mad amount of salt. The amount of rust is something else too.