5 Cars That Are Notorious Rust Buckets (And 5 That Never Rust) (2024)

Maintaining the aesthetics of a vehicle is important to make the car appealing and obtain the optimal resale value. One thing that causes significant damage to the aesthetics of a vehicle is rust. To the dismay of car owners, they have little to no control over how rust affects a vehicle. Although parking your car in an enclosed space may prolong the start of corrosion, some vehicles are prone to rust regardless of the precautionary measures the owner takes.

Updated January 2022: If you're in the market for a used car and want to make sure you won't end up with a potential rust bucket, keep reading. We've updated this article to help you make a better and more well-informed decision when handing over your hard-earned money for that dream car or everyday workhorse.

To help consumers avoid unnecessary headaches, we scoured the market for cars that are known to be rust buckets. Regardless of how much care the owner shows to these vehicles, the corrosion is inevitable. Apart from knowing which vehicles to avoid, consumers must also know which vehicles are rustproof. Our inquiry into the market led us to discover 5 cars that rust regardless of the care they receive, and 5 cars that won't rust as the manufacturers built them with proper rust protection.

10 Rust Bucket: Toyota Rav4

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Toyota has made reliable vehicles for many years. Its cars regularly feature on the Consumer Reports Reliable list and are some of the best selling vehicles in North America.

Drivers who purchase the Rav4 can take pleasure knowing that they not only drive a reliable vehicle, but the safety features in the Rav4 are some of the best on the market.

The interior styling and materials are uninspiring, but drivers will get around 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The feature that owners of the vehicle will dislike the most is the corrosion that the vehicle often experiences.

Related: Here's What We Love About The 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

9 Never Rusts: Hyundai Accent

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It seems that the Asian manufacturers dominate the list. Although the Mazda 3 and Rav4 are prone to rust, the South Korean manufacturer has ensured that the Accent does not corrode. Drivers of the Accent will be exposed to the 1.6-liter engine that has been in production since 1994. Besides the strong body of the Accent, J.D. Power and Associates named the vehicle the most dependable car of 2008. Owners of the vehicle will be glad to know that they are driving a car that will be around for a long time, as the parts and exterior are durable.

8 Rust Bucket: Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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Consumers who have deep pockets and enjoy a versatile sports SUV might pop into a Land Rover dealership to find out why everybody is making a fuss about the vehicle. The car has a 3-liter V6 supercharged engine, which pumps out 340 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds.

The car delivers performance, a comfortable ride and contains many features in the cabin.

Those qualities may be enough to lure in buyers, but what most buyers do not know is that the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is prone to rust. The car also has poor fuel economy.

Related: 2023 Range Rover SV Adds Even More Luxury And Customization

7 Never Rusts: Kia Forte

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The South Korean market knows the Forte as the K3 and has seen it on its roads since 2008. Kia stated that it designed the Forte specifically to attract younger buyers who want a vehicle that has a sharp auto design.

To ensure that young buyers are impressed by the vehicle, Kia designed the exterior to last a long time and made the car with the highest quality materials to prevent corrosion.

The car may not provide great performance as the engine is capable of pumping out only 173 horsepower, but the exterior will not suffer from rust.

6 Rust Bucket: Ford Ka

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When the American manufacturer produced the Ford Ka, it intended to provide a reliable vehicle that owners could use to commute around the city. The product it ended up with is a vehicle that has a 1.3-liter engine and needs 13 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph. The design of the car is unappealing, and the interior is cramped. Apart from being a slow vehicle that does not offer much cabin room, Ford Ka buyers will also have to deal with the rust. Once the vehicle begins to corrode, you will be the proud owner of a small, rusty car.

5 Never Rusts: Lexus LS

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The Asian manufacturers are on a roll. It seems that if you want a car that will not provide any hassles with rust, then stick to Asian vehicles. The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury car, which serves as the flagship model for the brand. The first four generations contained a V8 engine and were predominantly rear-wheel drive vehicles. Lexus installed a V6 engine into the fifth generation and did not offer a V8 option. The LS stands for Luxury Sedan, and owners will experience a comfortable vehicle that is not prone to corrosion.

4 Rust Bucket: Ford Focus

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Although Ford has done a sublime job with the manufacturing of pickup trucks, its production skills lack with sedans. Consumer Reports has regularly featured the Focus on its Least Reliable Vehicles list for several years, and it seems that mechanical problems are not the only troubles that Focus owners face. The car is also known to have its exterior peel away. If you buy a Focus, do not be surprised to see rust on the vehicle. Consumers who want to avoid mechanical and corrosion problems should stay clear of the Focus. After all, the market is saturated with quality vehicles.

3 Never Rusts: Volvo S60

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Sweden may not be known for many things, but the European country knows how to make reliable vehicles. Volvo introduced the S60 to the market in 2000 and marketed the vehicle as a compact luxury sedan to replace the S70. Volvo released the second generation in 2010 as a 2011 model. The third generation is scheduled for a 2018, latest 2019, release and built in America's first Volvo factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The United States will be the sole global source of the S60 when production in China phases out in 2019.

Related: Here's How Much The Volvo 245 Is Worth Today

2 Rust Bucket: Saturn Relay

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General Motors manufactured the Saturn Relay from 2005 to 2007. One of the reasons that the car lasted only two years on the market is that it was prone to corrosion. Owners of the vehicle discovered after purchasing it that the exterior suffered irreparable damage due to corrosion. The car is also prone to breakdowns and was available for around $22,000 new. That might sound like a reasonable price, but the vehicle is unreliable and aesthetically unappealing due to the high possibility of corrosion. Owners of the Saturn Relay turned their backs on the brand after experiencing innumerable problems.

1 Never Rusts: Volkswagen Golf

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Volkswagen released the MK1, known as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States, in 1974, and the car became an overnight success. The car was easy and economical to drive and had good handling.

Since then, the German manufacturer has won the World Car of the Year award in 2009 and is one of three cars voted European Car of the Year twice.

The latest Golf GTI models allow drivers to obtain blistering speeds while cruising in style. Owners of the vehicle will experience sophistication inside and outside the vehicle, as the interior is lavish while the exterior will not rust.

Sources: thesun.so.uk, caranddriver.com

5 Cars That Are Notorious Rust Buckets (And 5 That Never Rust) (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 rust proof cars? ›

Top 10 most rustproof cars Page 1 of 1
  • Audi A3, A4, S4;
  • Volkswagen Golf, GTI, Jetta, Beetle, Rabbit, Passat, Passat CC;
  • Volvo S40, V50, V70, CX70, S60;
  • BMW 3 Series;
  • MINI Cooper, Countryman;
  • Honda Civic, Accord, Fit, CR-V, Odyssey, as well as Acura CSX and TL;

Which cars never rust? ›

Cars that never rust
  • Kia Forte: Great to hear excellent rustproofing doesn't need to cost the world!
  • Volvo S60: For once, reliability and rust protection do go hand in hand.
  • Volkswagen Golf: Not just one of the greatest cars ever built – also one of the most rust-free ever.
Mar 12, 2020

What car brand rusts the most? ›

Cars Most Susceptible to Rust Damage
  • Ford Fiesta.
  • Vauxhall Corsa.
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
  • Ford StreetKa.
  • Toyota Rav-4.
  • Jeep Wrangler.
  • Volkswagen Polo Hatch.
  • MINI Hatchback.
Nov 19, 2021

What is a rust bucket car? ›

rust bucket in British English

noun. 1. slang. something that is run-down or dilapidated, esp a very badly rusted car.

Why don't BMWs rust? ›

Although BMW vehicles undergo corrosion protection treatments which are usually comprehensive to fight against rust, it may still form as your car gets older, especially if you don't properly maintain your BMW. The best way to prevent rust problems is proper maintenance.

What kills rust on cars? ›

WD-40 and other chemical-grade rust removal sprays and lubricants work as great rust remover agents from the metal surfaces. If you want to remove rust from metallic objects, the distilled white vinegar and lemon water method can also work well.

Why don't California cars rust? ›

A generally low amount of snow and ice means no salt on the roads. Coastal mountains prevent salty ocean air from reaching inland. However, even cars found by the coast would require consistent contact with ocean water to develop rust.

Why don't Porsches rust? ›

The body of a 911 is steel, and to avoid corrosion, Porsche started using galvanised metal for the shell in the 1970 D-series model, utilising it for the underbody. In 1976 Porsche progressed to using it on the full shell, bar the roof, then finally the whole vehicle in 1977.

Do Honda cars rust? ›

Honda has recalled almost 564,000 vehicles after discovering an issue which can cause frames to rust in certain models.

What rusts first on a car? ›

Surface Rust

Other times, your car will have sustained a tiny dent—exposing the car's steel beneath the paint surface, making it at risk of developing the earliest form of rust. This type of iron oxide, known as surface rust, is the least damaging, and can be beaten if attended to swiftly.

Why do newer cars not rust? ›

Materials used to make vehicle parts have changed.

Modern cars are made of lighter materials, which do not rust as readily or severely as heavier metals did before them. Plastics through to carbon fibre feature far more in cars these days, and they simply do not rust. In summary, rust on cars is rarer sight these days.

What year did cars stop rusting? ›

Revised cathodic automotive electrocoat primer systems were introduced in the 1970s that markedly reduced the problem of corrosion that had been experienced by a vast number of automobiles in the first seven decades of automobile manufacturing.

What cars have the least rust problems? ›

Cars that rust the least are often made from thick, Swedish steel or galvanized steel, according to experts and market observations of used cars. Models like Audi A6 C5 or C6, the immortal Audi 80, Vauxhall (Opel) Insignia, or BMW 5 Series E60 are considered the most resistant to corrosion.

Do Kia cars have rust problems? ›

Rust and Paint Peeling

Rust and paint peeling are aesthetic issues that can affect the structural integrity and resale value of your Kia. Models like the Cadenza, Rio, Sportage, Sorento, and Spectra have been associated with rust and paint problems.

Do Hyundai's rust easily? ›

Modern Hyundai's are built using rust-resistant materials and finished with paint that has been specially treated to minimize salt, water, and other forms of damage, however it's always prudent to take steps that can enhance the lifespan, safety, and performance of any vehicle.

Is rust protection on cars worth it? ›

Rust proofing can reduce repair and maintenance costs

Second, rust proofing can keep repair and maintenance costs low. When your car has rust, it can cause major issues, including electrical or mechanical issues. However, when it's rust-free, you are less likely to encounter these issues, which are expensive to fix.

Are newer cars more rust resistant? ›

Modern lubricants provide added protection against rust.

It was not just the body panels of older vehicles that suffered from corrosion. Modern motor oils perform better than older lubricants, offering superior protection against a chemical attack by oxygen and other corrosive elements in the air.

What is the best anti rust? ›

Best Rust Converters And Inhibitors
  • FDC Rust Converter Ultra: Best Brush-On Rust Converter.
  • Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer Spray: Best Affordable Rust Remover.
  • POR-15 Rust Preventive Coating: Best Brush-On Rust Preventative.
  • Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter: Best Overall.
Jan 5, 2024

Is it possible to rust proof a car? ›

There are several ways to rustproof your car, including electronic modules, tar-based sprays, drip oil sprays, and dripless (or drip-free) sprays. Our experts recommend a clear-coat, drip-free application because it hardens after being sprayed, creating a seal to keep out moisture.

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