I'm going to look at a ke55 tomorrow afternoon. Apparently it has 100,000km and an imaculate interior, owned by old couple. Where do these rust? What to look for? Its got a 5 speed and 4k in too- What nasty noises to listen for? Any help appreciated.

Rust can be anywhere. Mainly around edges of the body panels. So thats around doors, windows, boot, bonnet and around the fuel filler.

i have noticed around wheel arches on a few

front guards at the bottom where it sits by the door. under the doors.

If its owned by an old couple, hopefully they have had it serviced regulary. Ask them if it has, and ask if you can look at the log book.

 

Start the car, see if it blows smoke, and see how it runs. If it is 100k car should purr along very nicely.

 

At 100k its not even run in yet :)

Have a look around all the edges and check for structural rust.

I don't think an old couple will be out there with body filler so hopefully any rust will be easily spotted

Ok, so the interior is absolutely spotless, really nice, and the engine is pretty gun for a 79' that looks pretty much untouched. Sounds like the fan bearing is gone, squeaking a fair bit, but other than that has almost no oil leakage, wasnt warmed up when i got there but it started first go. Unfortunately theres a fair bit of rust. Mostly its just the sort of stuff i'd sand back, rust kill and bog, but the left rear wheel arch at the bottom corner (bottom of the boot) has effectively desintegrated - as in would need the entire corner rebuilt. I'm assuming this is a big job, but can it be done cheap and easy, like with fibreglass, or does it need to be done professionally an would it be expensive? I realise thats a fairly general question.