Why Even New Cars Still Need Undercoating (Yes, Even in 2025)

As explained patiently by James May

Somewhere out there — perhaps on a leafy street in Falls Church — a brand-new SUV just rolled off the dealer lot. It’s spotless, it smells vaguely of adhesives and ambition, and its proud owner is convinced it will last forever.

“I don’t need undercoating,” they say, casually tossing the owner’s manual into the glovebox where it will remain unread for eternity. “It’s already protected from the factory.”

Hmm.

Let’s talk about that.

The Myth of Modern Rustproofing

Modern vehicles are, it’s true, better built than they were in the past. They’re galvanized. Dipped. Sealed. The manufacturers have entire departments whose job is to keep corrosion at bay — or at least at bay long enough to outlast the warranty period.

But let me tell you something slightly inconvenient: that rust protection isn’t complete, and it’s certainly not permanent.

Yes, modern cars are better.
No, that does not mean they are invincible.

️ The Forgotten Places

The problem lies not in the theory, but in the application. In the real world — the one with salt trucks, construction zones, and potholes the size of bathtubs — factory rustproofing has gaps.

• Wheel wells with just a whisper of shielding
• Inner panels that trap moisture like a sponge
• Weld seams that corrode from the inside out
• Frame rails that collect salty slush like it’s a delicacy

And yes — these places are almost never coated at the factory.

In laboratory tests, your car is fine.
In Fairfax in February? Not so much.

The Case for Noxudol 900

This is where Noxudol 900 comes in — a premium solvent-based underbody coating, developed in Sweden and trusted worldwide by automotive manufacturers and rustproofing professionals alike.

Unlike the old tar-and-slather methods, Noxudol 900 is applied warm and cures into a dense, flexible film that resists salt, moisture, abrasion, and temperature extremes. It bonds securely to metal, withstands road impacts, and crucially — doesn’t dry out or crack like traditional rubberized products.

It’s designed for long-term protection in harsh environments. Whether your vehicle faces snow, salt, or year-round construction dust, this is the proper tool for the job.

Not goo. Not hype. Just tested engineering. Learn more about Noxudol 900 here.

“But Won’t That Void My Warranty?”

No.

Professionally applied undercoating — especially products like Noxudol that meet OEM specs — does not void your corrosion warranty.

In fact, it may help your vehicle outlast its warranty by a decade.

At APS in Fairfax, we apply Noxudol 900 with precision, care, and proper prep — ensuring it bonds correctly and protects effectively.

The Sensible Choice

I understand the hesitation. The car is new. It looks fine. Nothing is visibly wrong.
But rust doesn’t start with drama. It starts quietly. Inside seams. Behind splash guards. In crevices you can’t reach with a sponge.

By the time you see it, it’s already won.

And then — suddenly, absurdly — your expensive modern marvel becomes one of those rust-scalloped relics you point at in parking lots and say, “Oof. Should’ve undercoated that.”

Final Thought (Delivered with Tea)

If you plan to keep your vehicle more than five years, undercoating isn’t optional.
It’s like buying a house and not checking the roof. You might be fine. Or you might be mopping up rainwater in year six, wondering where it all went wrong.

Factory protection is a good start.
Noxudol 900 is how you finish the job.

Schedule your appointment with APS and let us protect your vehicle the right way — from the start.

Do it once. Do it properly.
And drive in peace — no crunching fenders, no rusty surprises.