Hi,
I have a 2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE with 18,250 miles and purchased used from a gentleman in New York; I live in California so the car will live here if I buy it. Main concern I have with the car is the rust underneath the car. Is this still a good car to buy? Toyota dealer says everything else on the car is ok. Attaching pictures.
Thanks! Many pictures of underneath car: https://imgur.com/a/OuZB5xC
I plan to take this car up to Lake Tahoe several times each winter season. They use sand and salt on the roads up there as well, so the car would still be exposed to salt.
Here are some more pictures: The first one, the metal is flaking off
https://imgur.com/a/0ArCV0o
How much would a repair for that cost?
Bought on Carvana. Currently inside the 7 day free return window, so I am thinking of returning it. As far as I know it was not in a flood, but was a lease vehicle in NY.
@rth3rth3 and @chucktobias Gentlemen, can you put your answers into the proper location ‘Your Answer’ section down below? Thank you.
It doesn't appear to be serious. Mostly normal surface rust for a place like New York. The front axles look like the biggest concern. Any of the parts can be replaced as long as the frame is OK. If you can get underneath, tap around with a hammer and see if every thing sounds and feels solid. If you are taking the vehicle away from the snowy, salty roads it shouldn't get much worse. Good luck.
Would you buy this car for $31,000?
I see brand new ones advertised here in Georgia for that price... of course there will be some bogus dealer fees thrown on top...
Kelly Blue Book, which tends to inflate prices, says fair market range is $27028 - $28761. I'd have to say it's overpriced but some of the others on the forum know those vehicles better than I. If a consensus doesn't start to show up here, post another question about the price and you will get some good answers.
Would this rust take away from vehicle value? Would you consider this vehicle in "Good" condition per KBB standards?
Also do you mind elaborating more on what problems you might expect with the front axles in the future?
I don't think the rust in your pictures detracts from the value. It's pretty typical of any vehicle used in winter conditions. As far as condition, I've only seen pictures of the under carriage so I don't have enough data.
As for the axles, I don't particularly expect trouble from them, they just look like they have the most rust to me. I would recommend doing a tap test with a hammer if you have concerns. If there is more than surface rust pieces will fall off as you tap and the sound will be revealing. Based on the age and reputation of the vehicle I don't think it's old enough to have bad corrosion unless it was driven on a beech in salt water or some other extreme situation.
Had a look under the car myself, seems like the first pic is the only thing flaking: https://imgur.com/a/0ArCV0o
Looks like mostly surface rust to me, typical of a vehicle driven in New York for a few years. You can wire brush or grind it off if you want to and repaint it, but it's not concerning. I wouldn't worry about it if you're in California and don't live in the mountains where it snows. Rust doesn't progress nearly as rapidly when salt is out of the picture. Saltwater on the road is a catalyst for electrochemical reactions that lead to rust. Ocean water does the same thing. Ordinary freshwater doesn't rust steel nearly as quickly; my 1979 Pontiac has slight surface rust like this on the rear frame that I need to clean up eventually from it getting wet. It's the original metal and is only just now forming surface rust after all of these years.
The first photo is part the exhaust system, that may need attention in a few years. The rest looks like surface rust on suspension components and driveshaft. Tapping with a hammer will reveal any serious corrosion. (Don't hit the exhaust components!)
It's not clear from your original post whether you've already bought this vehicle or not. You'd have to get an estimate from an exhaust shop on cost to repair that flange when it lets go.
Overall the underside of that car looks more like what I would expect after 10-15 years in the salt belt rather than 4 years. Was it in a flood?
I'd return it. On an older vehicle (like a 2008 model rather than 2018) I wouldn't be concerned about that much surface and exhaust rust but seems way too much for 4 years. Modern rustproofing is pretty good. Something doesn't smell right.
Now that's what I call Tecno Wizardry. Thanks for cleaning up my mess.
OK, those pictures are a little better. I can see your concerns. That's pretty bad for a four year old exhaust flange IMO. May be because of the price and doubts about corrosion you should look for another vehicle to buy. I would never close a deal I wasn't comfortable with.
If its only a piece of exhaust pipe, not much at all. If it involves other exhaust components, hundreds of dollars may be a thousand. More if you took it to a dealership.
In that case I would recommend having it inspected top to bottom by an honest independent mechanic before making a decision. Presumably it will have to be inspected anyway before it can be registered.
I agree with Chuck. Something doesn't smell right. A lot of problem vehicles get unloaded at places like Carvana. I would never play that game.
Indeed. Look at how many problematical vehicles people who come here write about and we advise them to "get rid of it" - you can bet many of those wind up with Carvana. Carvana basically just flips cars, aside from very severe/obvious defects doesn't really check them out to see if they're any good before offering them up.
They call it Techno Wizardry
Yes Sir