The issue of "rust" in Chinese electric vehicles, which are rapidly spreading in the European market, has come to the forefront. Brands like MG and BYD, which are rapidly gaining popularity, have been experiencing corrosion problems for the past few years, according to user complaints. According to user reports across Europe, signs of rust are particularly noticeable in the MG ZS EV, MG4, and MG5 models.
Complaints are particularly concentrated in areas most susceptible to corrosion, such as the underbody, welds, door sills, and critical structural components. It is emphasized that this is more pronounced in countries like the UK and Germany, where humidity is high and road salt is commonly used in winter. In some cases, it is even observed in vehicles that are only a few months old or have low mileage.
The areas most affected by corrosion are listed as jack points, suspension linkages, subframe weld points, and fender interiors. Some MG4 owners report encountering rust and water deposits at the subframe joints when the plastic protectors under the hood are removed.
A subtle detail in MG's 7-year warranty.
The most frustrating aspect for users is that MG's 7-year corrosion guarantee, central to its marketing strategy, doesn't cover this issue. It's pointed out that the company's 7-year corrosion guarantee generally only covers "punctures" in the bodywork, not surface rust.
According to the brand's warranty terms, protection is only valid if the rust has completely penetrated the sheet metal. Therefore, the manufacturer considers the current cases as "superficial corrosion," arguing that this is at an acceptable level, and rejects repair requests.
BYD is experiencing similar problems as well.
A similar situation is occurring at BYD. The Atto 3 model, in particular, has become a subject of controversy in Australia and New Zealand due to rust spots found on relatively new vehicles. Investigations suggest the problem may stem from inadequate surface preparation and corrosion-preventive treatments in some production batches.
While some vehicle owners have to have painting work done under warranty, BYD strives to maintain customer satisfaction by undertaking these repairs. The company states that it uses electrogalvanized (zinc-coated) body panels and surface treatments that comply with high international production standards to provide corrosion protection in its vehicles. It also notes that the majority of complaints are resolved quickly under warranty.
The key to longevity in the market is "resilience".
These developments in the sector mark a significant turning point for new manufacturers. New players who have aggressively entered the market with competitive pricing need to prove their durability in order to maintain this momentum.
Experts emphasize that issues like corrosion are not common to all Chinese brands, but such “youthful imperfections” represent a decisive test for brand image and long-term competitiveness.
