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I'm looking at purchasing at 2007-2008 (new shape) Mazda Demio. One newly imported car I've inspected has what looks like a coarse light orangey coarse dust or sand-like material through the engine bay. Its appearance also reminds me of filed fibreglass filler. There is also some around the weather seal at the top of the rear hatch. It is like it has been parked in an environment with this stuff is present then not cleaned properly. Do you have any idea what this could be? There are also a couple of rusty screw heads in the boot and engine bay but mainly no other rust signs. It has an AA Vehicle Compliance Certificate but I don't know enough about it to understand if these things would have been inspected or noted.

Hi there,
One scenario I can think of is that the vehicle may have had some underbody rust sandblasted or been in an area that sandblasting occurred, and the sand residue has not been cleaned. Maybe look for fresh underseal or recent repairs.

Thanks Cade. Best just to stay right away then. The importer would have done well for himself to clean the car!