Potentially lethal rust? How long do you reckon I've got?

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magicalzebra

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Hi all. I bought a used car last week, 07 Fiesta. Thought I did a fantastic thorough job of checking it over, but forgot to look underneath the car. It looks totally screwed, basically. Corrosion is listed on the last MOT report from feburary, but I didn't realise how bad it was.

Here's some links to pics of the rust (there's also a great big spattering of grease). Will the car fall apart while I'm driving it? If so, I might be able to get a refund...
https://ibb.co/zXFmgZq
https://ibb.co/yp75Dkq
https://ibb.co/932TXcY
https://ibb.co/dLMq6jP
https://ibb.co/3MbrYdV
https://ibb.co/THTnZQJ
https://ibb.co/R73rPDK
https://ibb.co/s32cJbh
https://ibb.co/C774Zfg
https://ibb.co/kh82Qtn

Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you so much if you can spare some time to help
 
as i understand it - you can return a used car in 30days for full refund
i'll find the link
www.autoexpress.co.uk

Your rights when buying a used car | Auto Express

What rights do you have as a consumer when you buy a second hand car? Our guide explains your legal protections
www.autoexpress.co.uk www.autoexpress.co.uk

But i suspect as that was how the car was presented, and the MOT history available then - buyer beware - applies
 
What does the mot say regarding corrosion?

I've seen worse looking chassis at that age, not sure I'd be concerned about it unless the mot states a mounting point is badly corroded
 
Ok, thanks so far team. This is what the MOT says:

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):​


  • Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened worn and pitted. (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  • Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill soft. (5.3.6 (a) (i))
  • Rear axle corroded
  • Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  • rear silencer of exhaust outer skin peeling.
  • Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear. (1.1.11 (c))
  • Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to brake drum. (1.1.11 (c))
  • Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to brake flexi. (1.1.11 (c))
 
This is so very typical of a Fiesta of this age......you can see where a previous owner has sprayed black Waxoyl in an attempt to cover problem areas. The cars were never protected well in the first place as Ford could sell them by the bucket load anyway.
The car isn’t going to fall apart on you, and the problem areas are where the rear axle and sub frames bolt to the chassis and there’s not a lot you can do about those.
The advisories are just that......advisories at this time and none of them are going to break the bank but will need attending to at some point - I can’t see where the brake pipe issue is, but the handbrake cables are also suspect.
One or more of the brake pipes have been tackled.
If the car was mine, I’d use it and trade it before winter.
John
 
Thanks a lot, that's very comprehensive. Trading it before winter isn't an option sadly, so I'll bide my time until the next MOT and see if anything needs replacing.
 
The car has been running around for 6 months, its unlikely to cause a sudden issue.
Its not pretty but ive seen worse.
Probably an idea to get a garage to quote on it, will give you a good idea of how bad it is.
From what I see its not rotten, just corrosion, but a physical look and prod is whats needed to assess it properly
 
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