UK / European based cars are notorious for suffering rust and previous repairs. Although required to have regular MOT inspections these are not necessarily done to a standard that you might consider.
One of our customers completed his own search and purchased a 2000 Mini Cooper from a well known Mini specialist in the UK. The car, offered at GBP 12,995, was listed in the ad with such statements as:
“This car has truly been cared for over the years which really shows in its condition”
“The underside is in very good condition with no nasty welding or black underseal to hide rust/rot”
Distance pics on arrival seemed to show a pretty clean car.
Sadly a lift on the hoist revealed all sorts of corrosion with extensive rust in structural areas and thick black underseal sprayed to cover all manor of horrors. Virtually every seam had bubbling corrosion which points to more issues….
The car had had the sills replaced and various workss done to other panels including a replacement windscreen scuttle panel and roof / gutters repairs.
The RAWS/SEVS regulations are very clear when it comes to damage and/or corrosion and the sad reality is this car can only be scrapped or re-exported.
Cars in Japan are far less likely to have rust especially those from the Tokyo and Nagoya areas. Our “Mini man” in Japan is Aaron at Bulldog Bros and he goes right over all the cars to ensure we will have no issues here.
Below are some pics Aaron sends us before bidding of a typical Mini going through the auctions. This car was a 1997 model and had covered 80,000 km from new. As you can see the sills and floor are very good and this car represents the majority of cars that we get coming from Japan. Aaron completes a full check of the car and reports back with all relevant details.
Other vehicles we see offered for sale locally include “rebirthed” cars where an earlier model VIN / Chassis number has been used to register a later model car that would otherwise not be possible to register. We are aware of at least 3 cars that have had their registrations cancelled by the State registration authorities due to this practice. It makes that shiny Mini you have a very expensive paperweight with little to no comeback.
Our recommendation is buy through a reputable source who can provide all the relevant paperwork and remember, if it’s too good to be true then it’s probably dodgy!!
