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Dear Jack,

I've just bought a 2001 used car after sending it for a pre-purchase inspection. It has a bit of what seems to be surface rust on the fuel lid edge and at certain joints e.g. where the fender is bolted to the main body. I intend to apply a rust converter like Septone twice, and then to paint it over twice to further protect it. I wonder if this is the best way to treat the rust?

Its manual transmission shifts well, but I'm still going to get the fluid changed. At 136,000 km is doing this a waste of money? May I know how many total kms the manual transmission could last before a rebuild?

Also, do you think new Chinese-brand tyres are better than used Japanese-brand tyres? Or are used tyres not advisable for safety and longevity reasons?

Thanks very much for your advice.

Leo

If there is rust in body seems or where panels join, it can be very difficult to treat rust that is not readily accessable. If there is evidence of rust between panels that are bolted together, this is a little easier, but really requires the panel to be unbolted and then treat the rust, apply paint and wait for it to dry before reassembly.

Changing oil in a manual gearbox depends on the manufacturer's recommendation. Modern cars usually have a recommendation of between 80,000 - 100,000km, so at 136,000km, it would be advisable. Treated carefully and serviced properly manual gearboxes tend to last very well and for most models a manual gearbox can easily last 200,000km+ before needing any work.

As for tyres, there are many good tyres now produced in Asian countries outside of Japan (China included) and most seem to perform very well. I never like to fit second hand tyres as you don't know the history or whether the tyre has been kerbed, hit a pothole or had some other impact that could have weakened the structure of the tyre.

Dear ABayliss,

Thanks very much for your helpful advice!

Leo