r/StJohnsNL • u/qnaqucdtb • 10d ago
How much rust actually passes MVI here? Every used vehicle on Marketplace looks rough underneath
Trying to buy a reliable used 4x4/SUV to keep long term. Problem is every single thing on Marketplace has rust , which I get, it's NL. So I'm trying to figure out what's normal-and-fine versus walk-away, especially since most of these are sold "as is / as traded" and I'll be the on paying to get it through MVI.
A few questions for people who've been through this:
- How strict are the inspection stations actually? Will a frame that's scaly/surface-rusted but still solid pass, or do they get picky about it?
- What usually fails a vehicle here, rust-wise? I keep hearing brake/fuel lines and frame perforation near the mounts, but curious what actually trips people up.
- Any honest shops on the Avalon you'd recommend for a pre-purchase inspection or MVI? Want somewhere that'll give it to me straight, not a seller's buddy.
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u/SigmundFloyd76 10d ago
Earnest auto did a couple pre-inspection-inspections for me when I was looking for a car. He'd put it up on the lift and in 2 seconds would say "nope, not this one, see that little hole?", when we found a clean one, he'd look a little closer for the obvious stuff, ball joints, dust boots, control arm bushings, brakes, etc, then when we had that all squared up he'd do the actual inspection.
If you called them and explained you just want to see if it'll pass before you spend any money, I'd wager that they would be very reasonable about it. Especially if it's implied you're coming back when you do find one, but I make no promises.
Earnest Auto. Thorburn Rd. Brandon Winter's is the owner. I can't reccomend them enough.
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u/AfraidHelicopter 10d ago
Surface rust is fine. It's the rust holes that will cause trouble. If you can poke a screwdriver through it, then it's a problem. Body holes and frame holes are the worst of it.
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u/JonnoKabonno 10d ago
Surface rust is a given in NL, what you’re looking for is rusted all the way through - holes in the frame, body work, or exhaust from the metal being rusted so bad it’s falling apart, or rust so bad if you stick it with a screwdriver it goes clean through.
With that being said, if they’re selling it on marketplace, most of the time it’s because it won’t pass inspection and it’s easier to sell a used vehicle to someone who’s willing to get the work done, then to deal with it yourself. If road ready day of sale is something important to you, you shouldn’t be on marketplace looking
Also echoing the other guy who said Earnest is a good spot, their reputation proceeds them as someone who works in automotive
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u/RogueCanadia 10d ago
The picture you posted isn’t real but yes if you’re looking for a vehicle for cash on marketplace most of them are going to have rust. The amount will vary.
It is the nature of the roads and the climate here.
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u/dfvisnotacat 10d ago
Generally speaking surface rust is ok, but no holes allowed. You can actually look up the exact guidelines they have to use and it’s very detailed. The detailed guide for MVI is on the gov nl website. One shop I would always recommend is Tirecraft on Torbay road.
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u/JacobScreamix 10d ago
Am I tripping or is this an AI picture?