Discover the Used Car Most Prone to Rusting: Over 71% Show Corrosion Issues!

Rust on cars isn’t as common as it used to be. Automakers have made significant advancements in anti-corrosion treatments, and today, most car models withstand the test of time quite well. However, some vehicles definitely age worse than others. To quantify this phenomenon, the British company PlateInsight analyzed over 3.1 million vehicle inspections, comprising more than 261 million data points. While the study was conducted in the United Kingdom, many of the cars examined are also popular in the French used car market.

First, there are cars that seem to weather the years with little to no trouble. Recent models from Ford, BMW, and Toyota, for example, show excellent resistance to corrosion. The 2019 Ford Fiesta, for instance, exhibits an almost nonexistent rate of corrosion-related faults. BMW and Toyota models manufactured since 2017 also emerge as some of the most durable in the study, with very few defects reported despite high mileage, particularly in the case of the Toyota Prius. These brands now use more galvanized steel and apply wax-based protections to vulnerable areas such as the sills and the large metal pieces that reinforce the car’s structure under the floor.

On the other hand, the most vulnerable cars can experience severe rust issues. We’re not just talking about a small spot on a wing or blistering paint. The faults identified can affect crucial components such as brake lines, suspension mounts, engines, and lower body panels. In France, repairs for such damages can be extremely costly, sometimes running into thousands of euros, and for some vehicles, the repairs may not even be economically justifiable.

The models that raise the most concern include a few names. Early versions of the Dacia Duster, produced between 2010 and 2014, already show poor results. However, another model fares even worse. According to data analyzed by PlateInsight, over 71% of the vehicle inspections reported corrosion-related faults for this particular car. Diesel versions appear to be more affected, likely because they tend to have higher mileage. The vehicle earning this dubious distinction is the 2011 Suzuki SX4 diesel. The study indicates that rust typically forms around the attachment points of the rear subframe—a large metal component located beneath the car that helps support parts of the wheels and suspension—and the inner sills. These are areas that are rarely inspected but can become a nightmare once corrosion sets in.

The research also shows that corrosion doesn’t occur by accident. On several models, the protection of the undercarriage or the cavities—hollow spaces within the bodywork—was clearly underestimated during the design phase. Over time, water seeps in, gets trapped in certain areas, and starts corroding the metal directly. The issue is exacerbated when water drains become clogged with debris and deposits, causing moisture to linger for months without the driver’s knowledge.