No car that age should have any rust at all. They’ve been rust proofing cars for decades now.

If you live in a location such as DMV that salts their rod sin the winter it is impossible not to have rust on the undercarriage eventually. I moved from the DMV to the south 7 years ago and when I took my car in the mechanic immediately asked me if I was from up north.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 15 year old Honda that I drive year round, park outside and never wash. It is not particularly rusty

The rust isn't noticeable on the exterior of the car - it's contained to the undercarriage. Thus, it doesn't look rusty until a mechanic lifts it at a garage..

I have a 15 year old Honda that I drive year round, park outside and never wash. It is not particularly rusty

Modern cars should not have excess rust. For your hitch attachment, was it because the attachment points have rust covering the mounting holes? If they couldn't mount it due to structural concerns, then it is a big problem.

Okay, I just did a quick google search and it looks like Honda actually issued a recall for 2009 CRVs in Canada due to excessive rust. It didn't apply to the US, however.

I would get rid of that car due to safety concerns.

Wash your under carriage.

Do most cars get kind of rusty with age? Our 2009 Honda CRV had enough rust that prevented us from having a hitch attached. I was surprised by this. Is there any way to prevent rust on future vehicles?