Mazda 6 Rust

the_dead_parrot

the_dead_parrot

the_dead_parrot

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Hi, I don't post in motors often. Been recently looking for a family estate between 6-10k. Which bought me too a mazda 6 skyactive-d sport nav. Great spec in comparison to anything in the same price range 17 plate (9k). Immediately noticed bubbled paintwork in about 6-7 spots on the roof. A few just above the windscreen and the others dotted towards the back. Only one had what looked like an impact with a dot of rust. I checked wheel arches, doors etc and no other sign.

The garage has offered to get it in the paint shop for "repair" but should I be running already? They had another mazda on the lot that had two on the roof as well. Should I not only not bother with this mazda but all mazdas? Anyone have these issues or know of them.

Thanks for your help.
 
It seems mazda is fairly renowned for producing rusty motors, but at 3 years old i'd be a bit worried that give it a few more years and other areas will begin to rust!
 
The surface corrosion guarantee on new Mazdas is only 3 years, so a 17 plate will be just out of warranty for that.

I think I'm familliar with the blemishes you describe though, like little surface blisters which have 'starred' under the paintwork?

They probably won't get noticably worse for a long time, but best to nip it in the bud. Unfortunately this will involve taking each localised area back to bare metal though. You might be able to get smart-type repairs done.
 
Acme said:
The surface corrosion guarantee on new Mazdas is only 3 years, so a 17 plate will be just out of warranty for that.

I think I'm familliar with the blemishes you describe though, like little surface blisters which have 'starred' under the paintwork?

They probably won't get noticably worse for a long time, but best to nip it in the bud. Unfortunately this will involve taking each localised area back to bare metal though. You might be able to get smart-type repairs done.
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Yeah they are not massive, probably at most 1p size. Odd bubbled patches with lines coming from them. I did a bit more research and will not look at getting this or another mazda. Seems that there is a warranty but the vehicle has to be checked yearly to keep it up and even then they will hassle over repairs. I never even considered looking for rust on a 17 plate vehicle, can't believe it. Thanks for the info

The search continues
 
Quite shocking that its happening to a 3 year old car. And since there are so many it must have started happening pretty much as soon as it rolled off the production line!

I've only seen it on older cars personally.
 
The hail storms , I've seen in Norfolk, over last couple of years, must have capability to make pin-***** damage, and, no one really microscopically inspects the roof/bonnet after those,
if you regularly put a layer of polish on, maybe corrosion never starts.
Gritters too, maybe aerodynamic cars are impacted more, has anyone deployed self healing paint.
 
After seeing my MX5 literally turn to rust before my eyes, I'm afraid to say I wouldn't touch a Mazda with someone else's bargepole, as nice as they are to drive and as reliable as the mechanicals are.
 
I've seen stonechips on the leading edge above the windscreen. But it seems unlikely you'd get them at the back of the roof. I wouldn't say impossible mind!

Aside from the worry about this happening so early in the cars life, I'd also be worried about how long term any repair would be. Rust is like cancer - if the repairer misses even the smallest bit when he's cleaning it up before the paint job, it'll sit there under it's coat of paint getting worse and worse until it breaks through again.
 
The only one with a viable rust dot was closest to the windscreen so possibly stone chip. The others I couldn't see any chip, scratch or paint missing. Just like it was bubbling from underneath. Obviously not gone into magnifying glass detail so could still be a pin hole size.

I will definitely stay clear. Having flashbacks to my 53 plate ka rusting from filler to wheel arch after 3-4 years. No one wants to remember they owned a ka.

Just playing the autotrader waiting game now. Anyone have much love for insignias? Seen a couple of 2l elites which again seem better spec than anything else in the price range. Or should I just stick to skoda, vw mondeo etc?
 
akaFonzie said:
Why not? My bmw had a stonechip or two on the roof. Are you claiming this is impossible?
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The OP said there were many, on a 3 year old car.

So no, not impossible, but highly unlikely.

I have had similar imperfections on a car in the past, some were towards the back of the roof, one was even mid way back at the extreme side partially obscured by the roof rail.

No sign of a chip which had started any of them. It looked almost like a contaminant had found its way between layers of paint when the car was manufactured, and after some time this had made a microscopic entry point for air and moisture.
 
My Mazda 6 is a 2015 and doesn't have anything like you describe. Guy at work has a 2014 and gave a quick look on my way out of work, again, couldn't see anything. Neighbours 2014 Mazda 3 also looking good. All three are washing machine white, so I wonder if it effects particular paints or was there a bad year of manufacture?
 
Mazdas love to rust. They barely put any rust proofing on them even on the underside. I think people found areas with no protection at all on current ones :/
 
Nasher said:
Mazdas love to rust. They barely put any rust proofing on them even on the underside :/
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Even now? I'm shocked they haven't learned anything by the reputation they have developed over the last few decades.

My mate had a 2013 MX5 (a late MK3) in his shop the other week for sill welding. SILL WELDING! On a 2013 car!

It had lived by the coast its whole life in fairness, but christ.
 
Nasher said:
Yep, apparently the mk4s are no better.
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Hopefully some clever owners have had them undercoated and treated when they are still almost new...

Although that hasn't been the case that often with previous models as far as I can tell...

I'm not exactly in the market for a brand new or nearly new MX5, but if I were, a nice 184HP RF, I'd have it treated straight away. Stonechip, underseal, cavity wax, the whole lot.
 
Very surprised there are rust problems on a new ish 6. I am on my second, currently 230k miles 2010 plate d sport of which i did >200. Lives on the road, washed at service only, takes me fishing and kayaking on s coast. Apart from a couple of bubbles on the roof rail bars, not bodywork, and a dent in the roof from dropping a ratchet strap its been flawless on bodywork, great on mechanicals apart from needing an air con compressor recently and only the Bose hifi amp and speakers unreliable. Previous 2.3l petrol sport was 52 plate metallic yellow hatch which i did 170k miles but was again laid low by aircon compressor which wasnt an affordable repair. Both were main dealer serviced, otherwise they wouldnt have been washed at all! I dont recall paint problems on that either. Sounds like a lemon or badly repaired to me....
I am going to get another, GT d sport nav + estate when i can find a decent one from the latest revision, i like them for for the 18k miles a year, local good dealer MKG 3000, and lack or pretentiousness but practical with a bit of enjoyment to drive.
 
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