Hi All,
it only has 116,000 on it, but the rocker panels are shot.
New glass front and rear because of rocks. Always drove it easy.
Can I still sell it and what should I ask for it. ?
I can drive it to you lF you're close to Rockingham, Vermont, usa.

thanks,
Michel

 

Why doesn't it pass inspection? Can the problem be fixed?

You can sell it but I would be clear that it doesn't currently pass inspection. Some folks might be interested for parts (e.g. semi-low mileage drivetrain) even if the car can't be driven as-is.

 

Tried to fix the rocker panels, but the inspectioner (sp?) said "Really, I don't like the looks of it.?"
I was told the rocker panels are too shot.
I'm 72 (slow driver) and it still gets 38-43 mpg.
It could be used in NH as there is no inspection there, But is it legal to sell there I'm wondering?
KBB.com says value is over $3,000.00usd.....
michel

 

We obviously can't tell you much from a text description of the car. I have lived in salt-areas my whole life (Midwest and now New England) so any vehicle not specifically cared for gets rusty quickly, yet most of those vehicles stay on the road for a long time. I feel like you must have bigger issues than the rocker panels if you failed inspection.

It's a free country, so you can sell anything that someone is willing to buy. Everywhere I have ever lived the inspections are looking at safety and (sometimes) emissions. If there is some sort of safety issue keeping the car from passing inspection then you have to ask yourself whether selling the car to someone else is the right thing to do, regardless of whether their state has inspections.

If you're rusted to the point that the car can't pass an inspection, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest it's not worth $3000 regardless of the miles or the fact that it still runs well.

 

you could be right. I honestly don't know . I'll have to go back to the inspection station and ask

 

Best to junk the Fit.

17 years of service is the limit for most cars.

 

General statements are not terribly useful or predictive. While the OPs car may be finished due to rust, l have a 2010 Fit with 128K miles and zero rust. I guess I better enjoy it over the next year before it's finished.

There are millions of 20+ year-old cars in service in the US. There are almost certainly hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks from the 1950s-1970s still being loved by dedicated owners. Up until a few months ago I owned a tractor from 1937 that started on the first crank regardless of how long it sat (and too much sitting was the reason I passed it on to someone who had a use for it).

Well-built mechanical objects last a long time with basic care and maintenance. Or they can degrade quickly with neglect, mistreatment, and/or an unhealthy dose of salt.

 

I makes general statements that apply to everyone.

Then you apply my general statements to yourself.

Don't like what I post?

Put me on your ignore list.

And I'll do the same.

 

You're making my point for me -- I should be able to apply your general statement to myself, right? I mean, isn't that the point of "general statements that apply to everyone"?

And yet, when I'm driving I see a mix of new and old vehicles, and know that in the US there are tens of millions of older vehicles still on the road. Some portion of "everyone" surely owns and drives all those vehicles, right? How does your general statement apply to them?

I made a generally applicable statement -- "Well-built mechanical objects last a long time with basic care and maintenance. Or they can degrade quickly with neglect, mistreatment, and/or an unhealthy dose of salt." That applies equally well to me and my history with automobiles, and you, and the OP and his rusted-out 17-year-old Fit.

I don't dislike what you post but I do like logic and useful information.

 

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No Need to get upset here. The Fit won't pass because of body rust, mostly on the rocker panels (nothing left to rivet to). Oh well.
But this thing will still run for years, in my opinion, wit h only 116,300 miles and getting 38-43mpg.
Will probably sell it for parts or whatever.

 

Did you get a chance to question the inspection person? I'm still curious if there are deeper/hidden issues outside of rust you have described that caused it to fail.

Obviously, on a unibody car at some point rocker panel rust transitions into major structural rust.

But, I definitely agree that the car still has parts value in the drivetrain and probably the interior based on the low miles. Maybe other panels like the hood/hatch and glass as well. Good luck.

 

Yeah, if rust weakens the structure, it won't pass inspection, and you don't want to be driving it. Lots of metal replacement and welding could probably (maybe) get it to pass, but is it worth the money.

On the other hand, the parts are worth more than the car itself. List them on eBay.

Recent sales on eBay - 2009 Honda FIT Parts for sale | eBay