"Rust never sleeps… and neither should you when buying a used car in the north."

— Chase Jordan - A salty Canadian

How to Spot Rust Damage Before You Buy a Used Car

❄️ Rust: The Silent Car Killer

If you’re buying a used car—especially in Canada or northern U.S. states—rust isn’t just cosmetic.

It’s structural, sneaky, and sometimes dangerous. Remind of a girlfriend I had in high school!

Rust doesn’t just ruin looks.

It eats away at frames, suspension parts, brake lines, and anything metal it can sink its oxidized teeth into.

Let’s walk through how to spot rust like a pro—and avoid driving off with a ticking time bomb.

🔍 Where Rust Hides (and What It Means)

1. Undercarriage & Frame

• Look under the vehicle with a flashlight.

• Surface rust is normal—deep flaking, holes, or bubbling = red flag.

• Pay special attention to:

  • Frame rails

  • Control arms

  • Brake lines

  • Fuel lines

📌 Frame rust can mean structural danger. Walk away if you see serious corrosion even if you LOVE the car!

2. Wheel Wells & Inner Fenders

• Run your hand along the lip and inner edge.

• Feel for roughness, flaking paint, or weak spots.

• Salt spray collects here, especially in snowy regions.

3. Doors & Rocker Panels

• Open the doors and check bottom seams.

• Rust often starts under weatherstripping.

• Check rocker panels for bubbling or soft spots (use light pressure with your knuckles).

4. Trunk Floor & Spare Tire Area

• Pull up the trunk liner and spare tire cover.

• Check for dampness, rust stains, or holes.

5. Under Hood (Battery Tray, Strut Towers)

• Check battery area for acid leaks and rust buildup.

• Inspect strut towers and shock mounts—rust here affects safety.

🧪 The Magnet Test

Bring a small magnet. They have rubber ones that won't scratch anything on Amazon.

• It should stick firmly to metal areas.

• Weak or no pull = potential body filler hiding rust repairs.

🚩 Signs of Covered-Up Rust Repairs

• Fresh undercoating (check if hiding rust instead of preventing it)

• Paint that doesn’t quite match panel-to-panel

• Missing splash shields or liners

• New panels on an old vehicle with no documentation

❌ Mistakes Buyers Make

• Thinking rust = just “a few spots of character”

• Not checking underneath the car

• Believing a seller’s “it passed inspection” line

• Failing to get a mechanic’s lift inspection

Rust travels.

What looks like a bubble today can be a hole tomorrow.

🛡️ How Deal Guard Protects Against Rust Buckets

At Deal Guard—the most trusted car buying concierge—we know what rust looks like, smells like, and pretends to hide behind undercoating.

We:

• Inspect vehicles on a lift when possible

• Photograph and document all rust-prone zones

• Decode service and climate history to assess exposure

• Know when it’s just cosmetic—and when it’s time to run

👉 See how we help you avoid rust bombs

⚡️ Final Takeaway

Rust isn’t just ugly—it can wreck your car’s safety, resale value, and long-term reliability.

When you know where to look, you stay in control.

And when Deal Guard’s on your team, we handle the dirty work (literally).

That’s why we’re the most trusted name in car buying.

🚗 Skip the stress and shop smart at GETDEALGUARD.COM!
We’re helping people all over the U.S. and Canada buy cars the easy way—without the games, pressure, or wasted time.

💥 Tired of dealerships draining your energy?
We handle it all—from search to signed deal—so you can stay focused on living your life.

⚡️ Deal Guard is your trusted car buying concierge.
We lock in every detail, protect your time and money, and make sure you never settle for a bad deal.

No stress. No pressure. No buyer’s remorse. Just smart, confident car buying.

⏳ Your time is valuable—let’s treat it that way.

Want to make car shopping actually fun?

🎉 Head over to FUNNEWCAR.COM and see how we make buying your next ride feel as good as eating your favorite dessert. (Maybe even better.)

Talk soon,
Chase Jordan