I’m mostly inclined to agree with NDer in that there’s only any mileage in the investment if it’s your own future car which is protected. If you intend to sell in the next five years and replace with something else, your investment will not pay you any dividends and the next owner is unlikely to know or care meaning that you don’t even get a markup on the value of your car when you come to sell it on.
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Thanks everyone for your comments really appreciate your help and advice will consider what to do over the next few months
Is this an ND?
On a car forum thread (not MX-5 related,) about the importance of undersealing, someone said this is a 5 year old car in for its MOT. I’m sure it’s an ND? Seems to look like mine (minus 95% of the rust). If it indeed is,!
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Yup that’s an ND, wow! Mine has had a relatively hard life and is a Sept 2015 car, yet nowhere near as bad as that.
Recently had it all brought back to bare metal, rust converter applied, 2k primer, top coat, cavity wax etc by Aaron at MX-5AVAGE in North East Manchester and it looks better than new. Top job.
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You managed to restore it to that quality? That is impressive. I bet it cost a lot.
Not personally, but yes, Aaron did a fantastic job, very well priced at £1000 all in.
| Just got my car back from Aaron at MX-5AVAGE (North East Manchester) after a proper undersealing job - so pleased with the whole process that I had to… | Facebook
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A grand!!
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That is what I was going to say. £1000!? You have spent loads on your MX5 in terms of modifications too.
The end results are great though.
Does the undercoat need topping up now and then?
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Cheap? Expensive? I’m never sure which side these responses fall 
This was a “proper job” - going back to bare metal and following a 3 stage re-coating process means it it chemically bonded to the chassis / wishbones / subframes, and only needs future work should it be mechanically removed. The work took 9 full days of labour in total, so isn’t comparable with a £300-500 two day method of coating everything liberally in Lanoguard etc that needs re-doing every 12-18 months 
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Do it properly or don’t do it at all.
A cheap job will only hide what may lurk underneath and make it worse, I know from experience on my old Civic.
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Yes, fair points.
You need to create a Readers Rides thread on here Adam
Then all the work and changes you’re done are there in one place. It’s a far better place than FB for it 
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I went the Lanoguard route. I will be sticking to it.
I have PM’d you.
Yeah on facebook to access the pictures you have to have an account.
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That ND rust MOT pics above where shocking for a 5 year old car (pretty low mileage too ,apparently).
I looked with an LED torch under my Mrs’ MINI y’day and 4 years old, 27K miles, daily driver, it looks better than my own ND which has 10K less miles and don’t get driven in the wet lol. Indeed, someone on a MINI forum was only asking when are they going to see significant rust, as their’s looked fine at 7 years or something 80K miles!
What’s the ‘anti corrosion’ warranty, That ND looks shocking.
Hi there.
What is your opinion of the MOT test system in Northern Ireland?
Do you feel it’s a good system or do you prefer that in mainland UK?
( for those who don’t know, there are 15 centres throughout NI which offer MOT tests.
They are government run centres and one takes one’s car along by appointment,to ensure it reaches the standard required for a “Pass”. They will check emissions , lights, brakes, tyres &check underneath incl suspension,etc to ascertain if the vehicle is “roadworthy.”
In the event of a “fail”, one takes the vehicle to one’s own mechanic/dealer to have the reason for failure rectified.
Of late, there have been major H&S issues with the lifts/ramps in many of the centres, and this has resulted in long delays getting appointments for an inspection. And you can’t tax your car without an MOT certificate….
Just wondered what your opinion is.
I suppose an inspection carried out by a government employed technician/mechanic makes the system more “independent “, with less possibility of “rogue” garages claiming that certain work needs to be carried out even when it doesn’t- but hopefully this is rare/unlikely as the penalties for abusing the right to be an MOT approved garage in mainland UK are , I believe quite severe?)
Thanks
DC
I know, I know… time, inclination and motivation sadly all lacking!
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These are Japanese cars. So they need to be looked after. I think in Japan they don’t salt the roads and this is why this issue is appearing. I do think it is wrong; the Japanese should coat their cars appropriately.
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Yes, I got a fresh import Nissan Elgrand later last year and it’s underside is mint…for a 15 yr old van! They undersealed it then as part of prep. Who knows really how ‘good’ the underseal job really is, but I don’t drive it loads in the wet or salt.
I had a Swift Sport before, and it’s underside looked nothing like that ND though, even though the Sport was on 60K miles and then pushing a decade old (2nd owner)
Do you think the Mazda’s could be suffering from these issues more? Maybe more towards a specific manufacturer issue?
Interesting question. Who knows?