I BOUGHT A ROTTEN HONDA CRV 

I don't know a lot about cars but I do like seeing things repaired/restored and given a new lease of life. Really like the down to earth nature of this channel and presenter, and the fact that you deal in cheap cars that anyone could own rather than super expensive ones that are out of the reach of ordinary people. Keep up the good work!

I had one for over 10 years. The engine was brilliant and I never had any mechanical problems. However the bodywork needed constant welding. When I replaced the sills I found the inner sections completely covered in rust.

Love the CRV , bought my first one 1999 and was totally hooked. Strong engines with loads of room inside.

Rust is a killer for me, i remember having a 1987 Sierra which looked immaculate on the outside but underneath was a different story, i spent more time welding new bits in than i did driving it, it was a nightmare car and never again when buying a used older car i look underneath the bugger first.

I thought more modern cars were better protected. Im surprised at how bad it is. You did the right thing to move that on. It looks bad under there already and you would only find more trouble as you mention as you try and find good metal. Thanks for showing underneath. Too much focus often is on the upper part of cars but it’s all irrelevant if it looks like that below.

Enjoyed seeing the car inspection 👍

Love the vids mate keep them coming

It's the best decision. As you said, in this business, you can't always win. Great video as always and onto the next project 💪

Top video as always been waiting for this all week 🙌 keep up the good work loving the videos mate.

This is a classic example of previous owners not keeping the underside of their vehicles cleared of road salt. Rust gets a hold. .Neighbours all laugh at me in the freezing cold weather as i stand outside washing off the salt with a hose. You can eat your dinner off my BMW and luckily it has undertrays to help protect it. Cars don't clean themselves. Its easier to replace anything mechanical but when rust starts getting into it its game over.

Good Call... "Bin it" and take the Hit. See you in the next one. 👍👍

Another good video. Thanks.

Another smashing vid Liam, proper pear that one, keep em coming mate 🙌

Very sensible choice to scrap and luckily scrap prices are good. In the old days I had to pay for a car to be scrapped

Another great vid, some cars are just not worth the hassle this is one of them, as long as it's only one car in ten your flying haha keep em coming, loving the channel.

The OEM fender flares, bumper overrider, side steps and other factory accessories are worth a decent amount if sold separately. Lots of these CR-Vs on the road still.

I have to agree regarding the welding. I have a CR V Mk 1 and have welded it extensively over the years. You are correct, once the plastic runners are removed, the rust will be fairly extensive!

great channel lee good honest review

Just experienced something similar with an 06 Vitara, full service history, 85k runs like a dream and rotten as a pear, both inner sills, outer sill and a chassis leg like Swiss cheese, never been used off road, friendly MOT tester, said it reminded him of testing cars 40 years ago!

Loving the channel mate, keep it up. Subscribed 👍

I have a 2005 CR-V with a petrol engine and the same 5 speed manual gearbox. Manufactured in the UK as a matter of fact. It's currently my daily driver! I love it! Rust is a car killer on these for sure! I am happy to report that mine has no rust. I have however had to repair and replace all of the items that you mentioned in this video and more to make it a reliable daily driver, which it pretty much is now. It still needs a new alternator and that's coming next week and perhaps some new suspension bits at some point down the road. I think you made the right decision with this one honestly. They're fun cars to drive and very practical for the winter but it's not worth that much.

Phew, just checked the underneath of my 23 year old Honda Civic (built in Japan) and it's fine! 👍

I like the fact that you've shown a mistake,takes balls,all these videos just show the wins,this is much more honest, no one wins everytime ,well done mate.

Glad I found this vid as I’m looking to buy one of these but the automatic petrol version ( ulez )

Great content

Great videos from Nick from Cornwall

Lee that Honda looked a beauty . But looks are deceiving. Glad you managed to get most of your dish back in scrap. Look forward to the saga 👍👍

Good content.

It’s knowing when to get rid Lee and it’s the correct decision mate 😊

I bought a 2L 03 the other week, mine seems ok had it checked over serviced all sound apart from the exhaust to me sounds like it blows ( grunty ) at low speeds mechanic checked the system and said it's fine in good nick without holes or leaks ext, no play or loss of power guess it's just what it is

I'd say it was the right choice dumping it, it wasn't great before it sat that long by the looks of it. Yeah a rabbit hole can be ok as long as you don't come out of it with a ferret hanging on your throat, this wasn't going to be a tale of fluffy smiling and hopping off merrily into the sunset L.O.L . I have a chevy sitting in our garage here in Canada it had some rust patches and slight rot on the sills. It wasn't too bad when my dad quit using it, but had no trade in value when he updated and needed work to MOT it for a new owner to register it. if we listen on a quiet day we can hear the Japanese tin worm eating it since it's sat. I just haven't had time to take it to the scrap yard and nobody sees it, like they would if it sat outside looking untidy. Thanks for the video, Take care

I see it has a tow bar so it could have been used for beach launching a boat at some time and sea water will destroy the undeside of a tow vehicle. Best thing to scrap it.

funny that, mine was rotten too!! oh yeah, try changing a rear spring or two.

These CR-Vs are generally solid cars. Later MYs have more issues with corrosion.

Well, I suppose at 17 years old it wasn't a huge shock but that was pretty bad and I didn't expect it for a Honda. Oh well, you win some you lose some. Cheers for a great vlog Lee 👍🏻

Shame that one had gone rotten underneath. Was surprised to see the Autotrader clip at 17.00mins, we have just bought the grey one from Leicester shown in the middle advert. So far, so good, really well kept car.

If you took off the Chromed Stainless Steel Step Bars on both sides, plus that really Nice Bull Bar on the Front and Sold those Items separately you may still get your 450£ and then also score as well bit for same...as i do think they were not standard first day...Great Upload.

Move it on, next. . . . . 👍

I recently bought one for my nephew. These cars are amazing. Only bad thing is the suspension rubbers are always bashed out.

Yeah, sometimes it's best to just cut your losses. Personally speaking, I'm leery regarding used Honda and Toyota vehicles. Problem is, you get so many individuals who buy them new. And, because of their reputations, owners who know nothing about cars think their Hondas and Toyotas never need servicing of any kind. That garages and service centers exist for other brands. As silly as it sounds, there are folks out there who actually believe that. So they end up running the cars into the ground. Not taking care of them at all.

I was seriously considering getting one of these the 2.2ctdi as heard they were bulletproof but got a kia sportage instead 1.6tgdi quite fast but juicy. Lol

my mate bought one cheap had to weld the back inner wheel arches were rotten and soft in other places mot for a year then moved it on plus he had to fix the power steering

10k subs well done mate

I could have seen it going spares/repairs and ending up in Africa but since you've seen they're only going for £600 then scrapping is the best option. Pity you hadn't got it on the lift 6 months ago to save having the cash tied up.

Hi Lee, As always mate 👌👌

Ah jeezy peeps, sorry bout the CRV, keep going though, love the videos regardless :)

Great video Lee Just goes to show that you can't always throw a bucket of water over them and wait for the money to come in . Hope you do better with the next one

Rust is the problem on these. Mechanically the 2.2 diesels are amazing, still running mine it’s an absolute workhorse

It's a lemon. Best thing to do is take it to bits and sell the good useable parts, u will make more money. wheels and tyres £150 easy sell the interior and seats for £100 and just keep going sell the door wing mirrors boot lid with glass. and when ya done sell the engine or just scrap it another £75. I did this with a 50cc moped that had a blown engine it had snapped the con rod I even sold the frame with log book for £25 I ended up with about £300 pound from a blown up moped.

I’ve had many old transits like this underneath without great care couple more British winters and salt that’s a goner!

I had an RD1 as a cheap shitbox and it was rust that killed it. The back end was rusted out but the motor was still a peach with 200k on it

Have an LDV Convoy recovery truck as well, also needs welding....

check the spare might be worth keeping, the spare cover, front lights and rear lenses throw on ebay.

I have a 2003 CRV. It has 120k on the clock and it’s sound underneath. Only thing it’s missing is the rear prop shaft which is on your CRV. Basically mine is classed a a front wheel drive only. Mine is Auto and petrol and has the K20 engine. Starts every time,first time

They did come with undersized batteries from new - my brother in law had a 10 plate petrol from new and it wouldn't start on a few occasions. The dealer wanted to rip the dash out to "investigate" - then he had to call the AA out again and the guy told him that was the case and said to to Halfords they will sort you out. He did and they sold him one twice the size of the Honda one said the Honda one was way undersized and powered and he had no further bother for the next 10 years he had it before moving it on

Really like these, but every one I liked, I checked the mots and they all had rust problems. Left them well alone now.

Gutted for you Lee but when the numbers do not add up you have to make these judgement calls. Definitely the right decision to write off £50 and get it scrapped and out of your hair. No point in chucking good money after bad mate. Good luck with the next purchase mate and keep up the great content.

That’s the right move also if ur gunna leave a motor parked up don’t put the parking brake on 👍

When I check out an CRV tomorrow I'm going to look underneath it for rust!

👍👍

Always get a california car,,, Honda Toyota ,,, Scotty Kilmer,,,,, Great cars,, Weather here is great

NICE HONEST VIDEO BUD 👍👍AS YOU SAID YOU CANNOT MAKE MONEY ON ALL DEALS 👍👍YOU COULD HAVE HID THIS AWAY BUT YOU SHOWED IT 👍👍NICE ONE 😀😀

This is why I don't buy older used cars without seeing underneath. It's a shame how this car in Japan would still look like new underneath. Damn the salt!

Subbed👍👍👍🚗🚗🚗👊Sorry about this Honda. You see loads around still. Must admit I thought they were bombproof!!

Having watched this I had a good look underneath my 2005 Honda cr-v diesel, the same model as this. Nothing was mentioned about corrosion on my last MOT three months ago. I jacked the car up and had a look underneath it. I learnt why nothing was mentioned. There was no corrosion. I wonder where the car in this post has been kept. My vehicle has been reliable with only a dual mass/ clutch replaced two years ago. The exhaust is still the original.

Amazing the rust underneath Lee . Wonder if cars up north are more prone to corrosion then down south ? Luckily price of scrap is high , we got £330 scrap for our 2006 Megane last September . Well chuffed with that , and getting shot of the poxy thing . Keep the vids coming mate , prime viewing . PS Still no part 2 on the C4 yet ?

A good decision in my opinion….throw it in the iron and forget about it … maybe Honda was using cheap metal and scrimping on the anti corrosion .. the same as Mercedes’ did around 2001-2006 … keep the videos coming please lee … I really enjoy them … 😊

Straight in telford or Queensferry maybe even back in Prees I’m gonna admit I’ve blown say £1170 all in on a car that when warmed up knocks so I’ve bumped it back in and told the driver no revving and the cars done £1200 less fees and I’m £100 out but laughing as I just buy my next one and add 100 to the PP

Wise words

We have a 2009 2.2 iCTDi FR-V with 170K, its a belter.

Sensible decision Lee, it's just not worth repairing 👍

wish we got the diesel version in australia

I hate rust , was the right move to just move on.. would’ve turned into double the time you’d think it would take.. and end up nearly working on it for free .

My 55 plate with 165,000 miles is rust free underneath ,was this a swindon built car or import as imports rusted a lot worse. Those very rare enlarged arch covers we an option and almost unseen on British roads and have seen these go for 400 as set if tidy and the matching front bumper override worth about the same ,advertise the parts on the Facebook Honda uk forum

My trade pal also saw your last vid when Aston B traders bidding 500-800 at a Corsa B. Bonkers. My 06 06 i-CDTi Sport CRV 130k for £400 ex fees £566 with fees drove well but clutch dragged once back Leeds Mcr !! Got Stuck in 1st 2nd once warm, also Reverse. Wasn't clutch hydraulics, had had a new Master Cylinder ( great ); looked like a distorted pressure plate, or just replace the 3 piece clutch . BOTH our CR-V's didn't win, I took £175 margin let it go clutch required advert. OLD CARS EH !!!

Wise decision so much work it's not worth it its a death trap how rot that is

you could part it out or maybe get around 300£ for scrap

I have a 2013 CRV, petrol version, with 100,000 miles. This vid has me wanting to look underneath - I no longer work on my cars and don’t know what the underside looks like.

You can easily make your money back in parts. Maybe buy a similar wrecked CRV?? Those hondas sell like hotcakes, at least they do here in the states. The parts alone are worth 3 times what you paid for it, might be a bit of work pulling stuff off and take a bit longer, but you can really never go wrong with a Honda, people know how reliable these cars are.

Can't beat Japanese quality rust......😁

Surprised you said it was rotten mine which is an 06 with 298K miles no rot at all ??? and £500 is cheap cheap !!!

Nissans are pretty good at holding the years

Wow, so sad these Japanese cars don't cope that good in our climate (with all the salt in winter, mostly). My Renault is just a few years younger, but not a single spot of rust underneath. Shame to see a good Honda like this. Can't really make some money on this one. Wise decision, Lee!

You'll get your money back in parts!

when i used to pick old motors up i ALWAYS carried 3 things with me. 1. jump leads or spare battery 2. fuel 3. air compressor 4. simples.

ive had a similar one just as bad, put it back through the block

It would have been so easy to go down that rabbit hole, great thing about you being a mechanic is you can see all the pitfalls before opening your wallet!

Brilliant cars I have one but body has failed underneath what a shame engine still had a lot more to give have decided the same as your self have been offered £300 scrap on line so have to say goodbuy 😢😢😢

I'm glad you have the respect to not sell it onto some poor person knowing it's going to be a money death pit.. plenty of those daftys out there

Damn! I'm going to look under my 12 plate Civic now to see if there are any signs of rot.

Hit and miss with these sadly. My 04 is pretty much rust free but that looks well gone. Have you found the picnic table in the boot though? 😂

i would get a yts lad stripping the cars need go to scrap! ebay interiors and engines if are still good far more money in that car than scrap value!! wheels alone cpl of hundred quid

Could you send it through the block Lee, could make a video?

I've had three CRVs. One of my favourite cars, but I utterly hate that Honda won't rust proof them properly. It's just unforgiveable.

That battery looks like it would go into my Aygo

The mk 2 CRV is not a proper 4 wheel drive, the 4 wheel kicks in when you are slipping and if longer than 20 seconds you burn the clutch out.

Honda never have got on top of rustproofing tbh. The Gen8 civic another rot box, their rear beam axles are a disgrace and the wheels fold in at a moments notice.

Why don't these manufacturers make the underneath of their cars more rust proof, it's too much welding that really cements a cars death.

Classic example of the British weather that car is guarantee if it was in a warmer climate half the corrosion wouldn't be there

Its not Japanese that model was built at Swindon. The colour is nighthawk black.