I moved to a southern state some decades back, with a good car for my wife and a beater for me. As I arrived one of the brake lines blew. The shop said the frame was rusted through, the next bump I hit it might break in half, it couldn't be repaired or safely driven. He wouldn't let me take it home for fear of liability. I made him show me, but he was right. It had been a Wisconsin car driven in heavy salt.

I sold it to a neighbor for parts, full disclosure, not safe to drive. Next week i saw his wife driving it, with a new inspection sticker. He said you just have to know where to take it.