An intriguing noise every time the accelerator was pressed led a mechanic to a disturbing discovery underneath the vehicle. What he found will surprise you.
A driver, concerned about a persistent noise when accelerating his Ford Focus, came across an alarming situation during a visit to the garage. vehicle, apparently in good condition, revealed a serious and hidden problem that shocked the mechanic and attracted millions of viewers on social media.
Chris, known on Instagram as “@chrisbuilt92“, shared a video of the incident that has racked up more than 2,2 million views.
The mechanic, who has a habit of documenting curious situations involving cars, showed the critical condition of the vehicle when it was lifted into the workshop.
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"Customer mentioned a strange noise when accelerating“, Chris explained as he examined the underside of the car. However, what he found was much more than a simple noise: the Ford was completely rusted, to the point that its frame was almost split in half.
Rust is advancing dangerously on the structure
Upon inspecting the vehicle, Chris demonstrated how rust had severely compromised the integrity of the car.
He pulled off a corroded section of the lower panel, which caused the front wheels to move uncontrollably, highlighting the extreme danger the driver faced while driving.
"Have you ever seen a car this rusty?” Chris asked his followers, as he showed details of the damage.
The video has received hundreds of comments, many from other mechanics sharing similar experiences. Some viewers joked about the condition of the car, while others expressed concern for the driver's safety.
“This is a walking disaster,” mechanic warns
One of the most impactful comments came from a fellow mechanic, who revealed that he had once refused to repair a Ford Focus in similar conditions. “The boss wanted to sell the car to a beginner driver. It was a disaster. We had to have the car towed after the suspension simply collapsed", said.
Other viewers identified the cause of the problem as the use of salt on roads in regions where snow is common, such as the Northeast of the United States.
This factor is known to accelerate the corrosion process in vehicles, especially on the underside where salt and moisture accumulate.
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Recurring problem in cold and coastal regions
According to experts from the company Carmula, regions known as the “Salt Belt” — which includes states in the Northeast and Midwest of the United States — face a high rate of rusty cars. In addition, coastal areas also suffer from corrosion caused by sea air.
The company warns that regularly driving in these conditions can accelerate rusting, compromising the safety and durability of the vehicle. “Regular inspections, thorough washing and application of anti-rust treatments are essential measures to prevent severe damage,” Carmula recommended.
Interestingly, states outside the Salt Belt, such as Kentucky and Nebraska, are also on the list of places at highest risk of corrosion due to high humidity and frequent rainfall.
High costs and safety hazards
While rust is a serious problem, it's not at the top of the list of most common vehicle repairs in the United States. The Department of Consumer Affairs found that the top mechanical problems are related to electrical systems, engines, and transmissions.
Still, repairing structural damage caused by rust can be extremely expensive, depending on the severity of the problem.
In many cases, the cost exceeds the market value of the vehicle itself, forcing owners to opt for alternatives such as selling the car to a scrapyard.
Drivers react to the warning
On social media, many drivers shared tips for preventing rust in their own vehicles.
One of the most popular pieces of advice is to avoid snow and salt build-up on the car, especially in the lower areas where drainage is poor. Others suggest using specialized corrosion protection products.