When you are purchasing a new car, one of the options that the dealership may give you is undercoating the car. Undercoating involves spraying the underside of the car with a coating that helps to protect the metal pieces from rusting. If you have never heard of this treatment before, you may find yourself wondering if this is something you should invest in for your car or an added expense that is really not necessary. Here are a few of the situations in which you should invest in a car undercoating treatment. 

The Car is New

Most experts agree that undercoating is most effective when it is applied to new cars. If the car you are buying is a few years old, it may not be very beneficial to apply a car undercoating. This is because rust and corrosion may have already set in to the underside of the car. Having undercoating applied will not remove existing rust or damage caused by rust. And even if rust has not set in, the car has already been exposed to the elements for some time. Car undercoating is typically not worth the cost at this point in time. 

You Plan on Keeping the Car for Over Five Years

Most car manufacturers do use a thin coating of wax over the metal parts that make up the undercarriage of the car. This helps to minimize the amount of rust that develops on the underside of a car quickly. As such, if you are only planning on keeping the car for a few years, car undercoating may not be ideal for you. This is because your car will likely not develop rust during this period of time. But, if you plan on keeping the car for longer than five years, undercoating a new car may be a great choice for you. 

Conditions Can Lead to Rust Formation

Rust is more likely to form on the undercarriage of a car if the car is driven in snowy or icy conditions or in environments where it is extremely humid. If you live in a dry environment, such as Las Vegas or Phoenix, car undercoating may not be as beneficial for you as someone who lives in Orlando or Boston. Consider the conditions that lead to rust accumulation when deciding whether car undercoating is a good investment for you. 

If you do decide to use an undercoating on your car, it is important to note that the undercoating should be inspected at least once per year by a mechanic to look for signs of chips, scratches, and wear. If any imperfections are present, the area may need to be retreated to ensure your undercarriage is properly protected against rust and corrosion in the future.