Sub-frame & Suspension Corrosion (Front & Rear)

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Hello there

I’m planning to buy a 1997 LS400 from a specialist used car dealer but the advisories on its last MoT history (7 months old) have made me sceptical. The dealer claims that he can get all its advisories removed when he applies for a new MoT upon confirmation of a sale. Please look at the MoT screenshot attached with this message and advise if the dealer’s claims can be trusted and are they really feasible? Or are these advisories common for a car of this age and should they be overlooked? This car has got 2 owners from new with 66,000 miles clocked so far and overall looks wise it looks awesome. 

 

best regards 

Shiva

[jumbojake]

need to check the breaks have been done..but for subframe should be harmless ... unless it has been parked in the sea!

worth a peek underneath, but I'd expect anything to worry about would have been flagged as a fail.. probably just surface corrosion which is not unusual on these thick steel components... a wire brush and can of waxoil usually puts minds at ease.

[cruisermark]

is this the green one in blackburn?

[rich1068]

1 hour ago, jumbojake said:

need to check the breaks have been done..but for subframe should be harmless ... unless it has been parked in the sea!

worth a peek underneath, but I'd expect anything to worry about would have been flagged as a fail.. probably just surface corrosion which is not unusual on these thick steel components... a wire brush and can of waxoil usually puts minds at ease.

Agreed. The surface corrosion can look quite scary but the components are usually fine. The front suspension on my GS looks shocking but start to strip it down and it's all good.

56 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

is this the green one in blackburn?

Lovely looking car if it is. If it's solid I'd say (from a dealer) it's worth that all day long.

[cruisermark]

I think this may of been advertised privately originally for £3995 and then reduced to £3495

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Yes it’s the green one in Blackburn, Lancashire.

[Mo-]

JUst hold out for a better one. You are probably too far away from me but I'm looking to sell mine. 120k miles but zero advisories. 

 

[Shivakumar Viswadoss]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

Mo - please share or mail me your car’s details 

[The-Acre]

I agree that these advisories are generally nothing to worry about.  

[steve2006]

Mine’s been in for its MOT today, last year one advisory for corroded brake pipe covered in grease so said to garage if the pipe needs doing fit it and then test. Car was delivered back an hour later with a pass and the same advisory.

I think corrosion advisories are very subjective, one tester’s advisory is another’s straight pass, surface rust is just that so not affecting structural integrity. Most of the suspension and chassis components on these cars are built to tank standards.