MOT failure Rust everywhere

[Vauxy]

So I bought my MR2 back in June, wanted one for ages and a mint looking one come up. I checked the MOT history everything looked good, exterior was beautiful, full respray 2 years ago, interior was like new.

MOT day today and my garage asked me to go in. The underneath is rotten everywhere and last owner had sprayed underseal everywhere to cover it up, it was thick!

My question is, how hard is it to buy a good shell and transfer my car Inc engine (90k no smoke or oil burning).  I really don't want to lose my MR2 or my money 🤬🤬

[Carolyn]

What a shame.

It's a write-off I'm afraid.  One for the breaker.

Lots of good panels, wheels, tyres, engine... but I've never heard of a re-shell job on one of these and I can't imagine how it could be made to work economically.

[Chilli Girl]

I'm so sorry to have read this, so very disappointing for you.

[Vauxy]

I truly am gutted, you live and learn I suppose. 😔

[puma2]

  your despair, frustration and anger plus many more feelings   are being shared with many fellow mr2 owners who read this    

to say i feel your pain is a understatement     

[steve807]

Condolences @Vauxy    Gut wrenching to have your Two snatched away in such circumstances; shameful that such conditions are hidden and not declared pre-sale.

[Rushy67]

So sorry to hear of your misfortune. I am not mechanically minded at all so "car shopping" is always a worry.
I was lucky to buy a good low mileage one off a forum member on here. But because of the age etc of these cars now i have spent out on a new roof, new headlights, total suspension refresh and underbody rust removal and coating in noxudol since i purchased it nearly 6 years ago.

[Pete McCue]

It's certainly scary how well these things can rust! Mine, at the moment, is in excellent condition but the car now lives outside and will be used all year so it's a bit of a worry. The underside has been waxoiled previously and I have applied a couple of coats of Lanocare to hopefully fend off the rust. I've also waxoiled the inside of the rear subframe. Other than making sure I regularly wash off the underside there's not much else we can do is there.