Hi All,

As my previous post , I am looking for an L322
Iv'e had a few frights looking at rust issues on this site.

What is the best method of finding clues as to what is going on beneath the sill covers and wheel arch liners as a bit difficult to strip things off on a dealers forecourt.?
Cheers

I always look at various forums to get a clue where to start. I have just bought a 2011 L322 off of Ebay, so a bit of a chance there. Bottom of upper Tailgate, and in wheel arches inside rear doors are a good clue. Try and get the dealer to put it up on a four post ramp so that you can go under with a good torch and a strong magnet. Psychology here. failure to assist by the dealer suggests he has something to hide. If there is rust showing badly on the rear floor, and very rusty exhaust and suspension components, there is a problem elsewhere as well. If you have a cheap Endoscope connected to your phone, find a gap and push it under the covers and see what is there. Rust in the rear wheel arches suggests there is more elsewhere. If you are not keeping the car long, and the Mot does not highlight serious rust, then if all else is to your liking, you could buy it and give what you can see a coat of Kurust, and a coat of underseal. I always look at discs for wear, wheels for curbing and uneven wear, shiny steering wheel and gear knob. What colour is the engine oil, oil leaks, etc.

I come from an era when sills were filled with Brillo Pads and a coat of Davids P38 on top. I repaired many Mini's and BMC 1100's with office filng cabinet doors from work. The local car auction was a favourite to spot the Authur Daley's of the local dealers. Wings made of P38 stiffened newspaper, tyres with painted on treads, engines full of EP140 gear oil.
Get the dealer to deliver it, at least it does run, check if it has oil in the engine, no nasty rattles, clean inside, a badly worn drivers seat is a heavy driver, or its been clocked. I am sure other people have surefire ways to spot a wrong-un.

If there is any hint of rust visible on the bodywork / lip around the rear wings and in the rear door shuts, there is most likely rust under the plastic sill covers. You could use that as your guide amd walk away / pay accordingly or any reasonable seller would allow you carefully to pull off the end of the sill covers to inspect further I would think - it's only held on with plastic clips.

Thanks Both for your replies.

Kezbo - Yes Iv'e seen information on the forum on those tell tale signs and the uncovering frightened me.
I guess I will just have to push any dealer to his limits of transparency and if no luck walk away.

Jagracer- I too am of that era I used to redo my Ford Anglia wings fortnightly! I look at finding a mini endoscope.


I am rebuilding a 1966 Saab 96 two-stroke after removal of filler and gauze its half its weight But I don't want to get involved with that sort of work on an RR as it will be my everyday car and caravan tower.

Cheers

Wow, a Saab two stroke still on the road! Twenty years ago a garage in March, Cambs. had one, he said there were only five left in the UK. I have an engine in a Sidecar Outfit I built 50 years ago. I bought the endoscope off of Amazon with a 10metre reach, fiddly to use, but they are cheap.