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Car - scrap or sell?

harloe
harloe Posts: 45 Forumite
Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
in Motoring
Hi,

I have a 9 year old Rover 25 that I was planning on trading in next Saturday for £300 towards a Golf at my local VW garage. Yesterday, I paid a deposit for the Golf and I am due to collect it next week.

Ironically, this morning on my way to work I have broken down - the Rover kept stalling unless I was really revving the engine. In the end it wouldn't even start properly. Now I could do with some advice please....

I have spent so much ruddy money on this car over the last five years that I don't want to spend £150/200 this week just to get £300 back next Saturday.

Am I better scrapping it, selling it as seen, or are there places that would buy it off me for the parts? I really have no idea!

Thanks in advance
H
«1

Comments

  • Lorian
    Lorian Posts: 6,358 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You need to find out whats wrong with it before you can decide. It may be something as simple as a broken vaccum pipe.
  • harloe
    harloe Posts: 45 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thanks. You're right, however I think it is more serious than that and anyway the exhaust is starting to blow as well so that will need replacing at least.
  • Volcano
    Volcano Posts: 1,116 Forumite
    Are you with a breakdown organisation? Can you get someone to have a quick look at it? If it is something simple as mentioned then a 'bodge' just to get it running is all it needs. If you can't move it, then an hour of a mobile mechanic's time to assess it may be worth it if it is something simple.
  • paulsin
    paulsin Posts: 58 Forumite
    Sounds like a problem with your Battery as this happend to me once. Got new batt and all fine. Try getting a jump from someone else and see if it works. If it does, then get a second hand batt from scrap yard for next to nothing.

    You may actually have to pay to scrap your car at the moment so weigh it up.
  • bryanb
    bryanb Posts: 5,034 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    paulsin wrote: »
    Sounds like a problem with your Battery as this happend to me once. Got new batt and all fine. Try getting a jump from someone else and see if it works. If it does, then get a second hand batt from scrap yard for next to nothing.

    No it doesn't sound like a battery problem.
    This is an open forum, anyone can post and I just did !
  • red_eye
    red_eye Posts: 1,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    not battery. what does the car do beofre it stalls?
  • harloe
    harloe Posts: 45 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the replies. I called my breakdown company last night and they towed me home. The guy said it's definitely my head gasket as there is water in my oil tank.

    Apparently this is likely to cost me £500/600 to repair so I am definitely looking for the way to get the most ££ out of scrapping my car?

    Any ideas?

    Thanks
    H
  • Volcano
    Volcano Posts: 1,116 Forumite
    If it's affecting the running of the car then it must be pretty bad and certainly beyond bodging. Maximum scrap value would be by breaking it yourself and selling parts individually on ebay.

    This sounds a lot of hassle for something that was only worth £300 in the first place however. You could try going back to the garage, telling them you'll no longer be trading in, so can they give you a discount if you pay in cash? You're bargaining position isn't strong because you've already paid a deposit.

    I think you've just had a lot of bad luck unfortunately, hope you have a better time with the VW.
  • Brooker_Dave
    Brooker_Dave Posts: 5,196 Forumite
    harloe wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies. I called my breakdown company last night and they towed me home. The guy said it's definitely my head gasket as there is water in my oil tank.

    Apparently this is likely to cost me £500/600 to repair so I am definitely looking for the way to get the most ££ out of scrapping my car?

    Any ideas?

    Thanks
    H

    See if the VW garage are still up for the PX?

    They may have just allowed a token £300 and have been planning to scrap your car anyway.
    "Love you Dave Brooker! x"

    "i sent a letter headded sales of god act 1979"
  • mrscb
    mrscb Posts: 1,163 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    That a shocker.(not)... a Rover with head gasket problem..
    Can you still drive it at all to the garage....I think they will still do the original deal....
    Or just tell them you dont want to p/x but can they still do the same price, then sell Rover for bits.(not the head!!!)
    :beer: Am thinking of a new one:beer:
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