What can be done about the rust on my car?

HELPDESK:Answers to your motoring queries

From GM:

I have secured the registration 10 D 10,000. It’s a binary thing really. The year is passing by and I have yet to buy a new carriage to accompany this unique number plate. I ultimately want to pass this number plate and accompanying vehicle on to the next generation and for it be around in a 100 years as a vintage car. What new iron horse deserves should a spectacular number plate?

A thought-provoking question for the Motors team and we’re happy to throw it out to the readership as well.

The key issue is whether it should represent the passing era of big-engined fossil fuel burners or the advent of the electric age. Clearly the Nissan Leaf would seem like the ideal choice but it’s not going to be available until next year.

The suggestions from our team are as follows:

Toyota Prius: This iconic car may have its faults, but it captures the zeitgeist perfectly. Assuming the electric project goes to plan, it will be regarded in 100 years as the vanguard of a seismic shift in how we approach motoring. It’ll be like the first desktop computers – by 2110 it will seem chunky, slow and very basic in terms of technology. But like those computers, it will be regarded as a pioneer.

Porsche Cayenne: In a century, people will look back on it with the same squeamish horror as they look at the Spanish Inquisition’s thumbscrews and ask themselves how anybody could ever have thought such a vile thing was a good idea.

Volkswagen Golf GTI: Does everything you could ask of a car and does it with the self-assuredness and unfussiness that only comes with 30 years of tweaking. It looks sharp, can carry five people in reasonable comfort, is relatively frugal and goes like stink.

Readers can put forward their own suggestions on our Motors blog via irishtimes.com/motors

From D Bradley:

The back wheel cylinders on my 2009 Chevrolet Lacetti saloon are very rusty but the dealer says this is normal and that it will not be detrimental to the car. He informs me that nothing can or will be done about it and that this happens with all cars.

Chevrolet Ireland’s general manager assures us that these rust spots are normal. “Brake disk hubs can display a covering of oxidised metal, this area is normally only slightly treated due to the high temperature generated during normal braking effort,” he said.

We can understand Mr Bradley’s concern, however, so we spoke with some expert valets. Their advice is to avoid using strong chemical cleaners or the like when cleaning or washing the wheels as these products often only increase the potential for rust spots, particularly if the hubs are washed when hot.

The best advice it seems is to wash the wheels regularly just with water and a bit of elbow grease. If you use a car wash, be sure that the hubs are well rinsed with clean water before driving off.

• Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irishtimes.com