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How much rust is normal under a car?

I was checking some things under my car and I noticed a couple of patches of rust on the underbody. It doesn’t look too bad, but how much rust is normal under a car?

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Claire Beaney · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
A little bit of rust is definitely normal!
There was a time when most automakers were painting the underbodies of their cars to make them look shiny and new—but this led to a lot of premature rusting once the paint chipped.
And a little bit of rust under a car shouldn’t make you immediately panic. If the rust is on something like a U-joint, it actually behaves like a protective coating. You should only be concerned if something hollow (such as a hanger for the muffler) begins to rust, as it’s easier for these components to develop holes and break down.
If you end up needing professional help to deal with a rusted underbody, you should also take the time to review your current insurance policy and guarantee it’s still the right fit for you. If you want to save money on
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