Corrosion
Damp inside of cars will often lead to corrosion of exposed metal parts. Because the interior of the car was never supposed to get wet, many interior parts have minimal weatherproof coatings or none at all.
Moisture will condensate on any hard, cold surface, and so the affected area need not be submerged in water for it to begin to corrode. It is common for us to find brackets up, under the dashboard, to show signs of surface corrosion.
Electrical connectors may be the first items to be effected, but we will cover electrical problems in a separate entry.
The most immediate threat caused by corrosion is to safety equipment. Your seat runners, the bolts that hold your seats to the floor, and the holes they bolt into are very prone to corrosion, as are many of the components of the seat belt tensioner and the points it is bolted to the car. Rust can drastically weaken the high strength components, which could lead to catastrophic results in the event of a collision.
If standing water under your carpets is allowed to sit, it can become contaminated with rust, turning into a corrosive rusty soup. It can quickly eat through interior paintwork and begin corroding the car's bodywork.
Many components are hidden under your car's carpets, from speakers to electrical control units. Aside from these units being prone to expensive damage from water, they are bolted or screwed to the floor, which provides a point of attack for corrosion.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 28/10/2023 16:43