My brother recently purchased a used car from a private owner. He got a RACV inspection done( as he wasn't confident at looking at cars) and apparently it didn't find anything.
After bring the car home, he has noticed that there's a lot of rust around the car.
Initially RACV claims that that's normal wear and tear.
Not sure what he should do, any advice?
I’d be pissed if I paid for a pre-purchase inspection and it didn’t even mention rust under the bonnet or general rust around the car. Sure, there might be rust in really concealed areas the the mechanic can’t see, but rust under the bonnet is pretty blatant I would have thought.
There’s every chance that the rust won’t be a problem mechanically, however, your brother might not have wanted to purchase a vehicle that had rust? I’d have thought that’s the entire point of the inspection.
But at this point I’m not sure where he’d stand unfortunately. I’d definitely be escalating it as far as possible with RACV.
he has noticed that there's a lot of rust under the bonnet and various areas around the car
Did he not check beforehand?
he placed a little to much faith in the pre-inspection.
D’oh!
my thoughts exactly.
Lesson learnt.
Initially RACV claims that that's normal wear and tear.
Depends on the age of the vehicle. but yes, i'd agree.
apparently it didn't find anything.
Apparently, as in you havent read the report? What did the report look for?
yes i have read the report. It lists out the section and comments for the various parts of the car and there is a final conclusion if there is any caution in purchasing the car.
What make/model, and how old is the vehicle in question?
Not much he can do about it, if anything.
I'm sure the report will have a Get Out Of Jail Free disclaimer somewhere in it.
Too late now but maybe your brother should have taken you with him to look at the car pre RACV inspection.
There’s rust, and there’s rust. Someone who doesn’t know much about cars might think a bit of brown staining is bad, but it could wash or sand off being non structural and harmless for that vehicle - hence ‘normal wear and tear’. Then there’s bubbling and flaking rust that has perforated the metal and need proper repair.
Which is it?
What vehicle and age?
I agree, even new cars will have rust underneath, especially on the suspension and the chassis.
Bodywork rust is a little more concerning though.
This is exactly what I'm thinking. Besides vehicle and age, I'm curious enough to want photos of said rust.
Pictures?
I'm guessing this is a complete over reaction to some surface rust or discolouration from spilt coolant etc.
your might be right, he decided to take to another mechanic for a second opinion.
Is the rust bad enough to fail a roadworthy?
funnily enough the same person who did the pre-inspection did the RWC as well.
I hope it is a nice car
Just fix/change the bonnet & stop the rest of the rust & u will have a grouse car
Or you could always past it on to the next person at a higher price for all your trouble and onto your next adventure in your car life.
It won't be your last car you ever have in your life, many of us fall for for our cars until a tree/semi/multiple cars/etc falls for your car more, and you move onto your next car in your life; you just hope that you can get out of you car pretty well OK after such an involvement to move on. I love cars, that was why I became a mechanic in the 70's. I miss the smell of petrol in the morning :p
Check the warranty they over, could perhaps go through a VCAT/ombudsmen process?
I just suggesting here and you’ll have to see if that’s an option. But I guess if they offer a service and fail to do that you must have some right
RACV Members receive a 30-day mechanical guarantee on all vehicle inspections.
If a mechanical fault is found within 30 days that was not identified on the inspection report, you will receive a reimbursement towards the cost of the repair.
Doesn't appear to cover rust.
Thread closed (request by OP)
What are you expecting him to be able to do?
Buying from private seller means buyer beware. No recourse there whatsoever.
The RACV T&Cs states:
I'm sure there's something in the agreement that absolves them of any liability beyond the 30-day mechanical warranty thing they offer.