Rust Modular Car
How Rust modular cars work: shells from junkyard, engine parts, four module slots, fuel use, repair via Modular Car Lift, and where to find car lifts on the map.
The Modular Car was added in the 2020 Modular Vehicles Update. Build it from shells found at the junkyard plus crafted engine parts and modules. Cheap horizontal transport once set up, with optional storage and weapon attachments.
How to build a modular car
Find a shell
Drive into the Junkyard monument or look on roads — abandoned car chassis spawn there. Different chassis sizes (2-module, 3-module, 4-module) determine how many cabins / storage / engine modules you can attach.
Find a Modular Car Lift
Car Lifts are at Mining Outpost, Junkyard and several monuments — or craftable to put one in your own base. Pull the shell to the lift to start modifying.
Add modules
Drag modules into slots: Engine (mandatory, 1 slot), Cockpit (driver seat), Cabin (passengers), Storage, Camper, Flatbed, Weapon Module (T2). At least 1 engine module is required for the car to drive.
Craft and install engine parts
Engine module needs 4 internal parts: Spark Plug, Valve, Carburetor, Pistons. Each comes in Low / Medium / High Quality. Higher quality = better acceleration and fuel efficiency. All craftable at T1+ workbenches.
Fuel and drive
Add Low Grade Fuel to the fuel tank. Drive with WASD; brake with S; horn / lights with assigned keys. Cars consume ~1 LGF per ~30 seconds of driving depending on module weight.
Modular Car Lift locations
You need a car lift to modify your car (add/remove modules, replace engine parts, fuel-source repairs). Common lift locations on the map:
- Mining Outpost — public lift, free use
- Junkyard — public, often surrounded by hostile players
- Outpost — varies by patch; sometimes inside the safe zone
- Bandit Camp — varies by patch
- Your own base — craftable at T2 workbench (1500 metal frags, 5 HQM, 75 wood)
Frequently asked questions
How do I find car shells in Rust?
Junkyard monument — chassis spawn around the perimeter. Roadsides also spawn random shells. After force wipe, all shells respawn.
How much fuel does a Rust car use?
Roughly 1 Low Grade Fuel per 30 seconds of driving with a stock Medium Quality engine. Heavier configurations (4-module flatbed setup) use more; lighter configurations (2-module cab + engine) use less.
Can I repair a modular car?
Yes — pull it onto a Modular Car Lift and use a hammer with metal fragments / scrap to repair. Engine parts can also be replaced individually if they break.
Where can I find a Modular Car Lift?
Mining Outpost and Junkyard always have a public lift. Outpost and Bandit Camp may have one depending on the current Rust patch. Or craft your own at T2 workbench (1500 metal frags + 5 HQM + 75 wood) and place it in your base.
Are modular cars worth using?
Yes for cargo runs and base relocations — a 4-module storage car can carry hundreds of items. For pure transport speed, a Minicopter (750 scrap from AirWolf) is faster, but cars don't use scrap and can carry more loot.