Can a New Car with Rust Spots Be Returned?

[VonChloe]

If the car is within the three-guarantee period and the rusted parts affect the driving safety, you can request a return or exchange. Below are the relevant details: 1. Rust Condition: If most rust spots are only on the surface of the paint, they are generally caused by acid rain or iron particles. Rust spots on a new car may occur if the car was stored outdoors and exposed to rain, leading to oxidation, which is considered normal. If rust spots appear on the paint shortly after taking delivery of the new car, it is not a quality issue but rather a storage problem before delivery, and you can seek compensation from the 4S store's after-sales service. 2. Removal Methods: For rust spots on a new car, you can use a clay bar to scrub; clay bars have a polishing effect and can remove stubborn stains on the car's surface. Alternatively, polishing can be used to remove the rust spots, and it can also eliminate minor scratches on the car body, but the polishing intensity should be carefully controlled.

[OChloe]

I just dealt with a similar customer complaint last week. A brand-new car, purchased less than two weeks ago, was found with rust spots in the door gaps. According to the Automobile Three Guarantees Law, only serious safety performance failures such as steering system failure, brake system failure, or body cracking qualify for a return. Small surface rust spots usually do not meet the return conditions. The 4S dealership will provide free polishing and reapply the anti-rust coating. If the rust involves critical areas like the chassis or suspension, a professional institution must issue a quality inspection report for a possible return. It is recommended to immediately contact the dealership for inspection and registration, while also filing a complaint with the Quality Supervision Bureau for record. Rust spots on a new car are indeed annoying, but with proper handling, the issue can generally be resolved.

[StStephanie]

I also struggled with the idea of returning my new car when I found rust spots on the wiper base. In reality, the three-guarantee policy is quite strict, and minor rust on the body usually doesn't meet the return or replacement criteria. The 4S technician told me that all new cars undergo electrophoretic anti-rust treatment before leaving the factory, but damage to the paint during transport or high salt content in coastal air can cause surface rust. They would use rust remover to treat the surface oxides and then touch up the paint, a process that takes about two hours. The key is to check if the rust spots appear in load-bearing areas like the engine bay or suspension weld points. Later, I negotiated an extension of the warranty by six months as compensation, and now, three years later, there have been no further issues.

[DeMatthew]

Don't panic if you find pinhead-sized rust spots on your new car's door hinges. This surface oxidation is more likely a storage/transportation issue - I can even wipe it off with toothpaste on a damp cloth. Real quality issues depend on whether the metal substrate is rusting, which can be checked by testing paint thickness with a magnet. China's auto three-guarantee policy now lists rust issues under major body components - only after five repair attempts or 35 cumulative repair days can you return the vehicle. I recommend immediately getting a paint inspection report from the dealership while having service staff document the repair in their system - this is crucial evidence for warranty claims.

[OAnastasia]

Finding rust spots on the wheel arches right after picking up a new car is indeed frustrating, but such minor defects rarely meet the criteria for a full vehicle return. There's an unspoken industry rule: manufacturers typically treat it as a cosmetic issue if there are no more than seven rust spots, each under 1mm in diameter. Last week, I accompanied a friend to address this issue—the dealership sanded the spots and applied epoxy primer, making them completely invisible to the naked eye. Be sure to check the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) report; if rust spots were documented before delivery but not disclosed, you may claim triple compensation. Keep all repair receipts and communication recordings, and contact 12315 for assistance if necessary.