MOT failure - options and advice

jitters

Hello everyone.

My car, a Ford fiesta (1999 *S) has just failed it's MOT for its third consecutive year and needs approximately £320 to pass and then between £150-300 to sort out the advisory notices.

I've decided I can't afford to keep this car running (no income at present) and I'm going to purchase a cheap car (£300) from a family member with a long-ish MOT whilst I continue searching for jobs and travelling to interviews.

I've looked at my options with regard to 'dealing' with my car and listed them below. I would be great if people could suggest anything i've missed out and give advice on what they may do in a similar situation.

Note: MOT has expired.

Options:

1. Scrap the car - I scrap the car and get a refund on the tax (7 months left) - not sure if I'll get anything for the car though

2. Pay the £320 and get the car through the MOT. Sell the car with MOT and tax. Autotrader prices approx £500-800.

3. Pay £320 and get the car through th MOT and pay an additional ~£150-300 to fix the advisory issues. Sell with MOT and tax for £500-800 - unlikely to break even.

Problems, option 2 is most likely to make a profit. But as it doesn't include the advisory items (problems with brakes) I may not get price quoted. I could not mention the advisory items but this seems morally wrong/illegal? The brakes are safe for now but "scraped" through the MOT. and need "attention".

What do you think? Thanks for looking.

colino

Option 4 is put it in local paper/autotrader/ebay with honest description as is and you will get something for it. Their still popular cars and cheap to insure for first timers.

jaydeeuk1

What work is required to get it through its MOT?

jitters

MOT breakdown (no pun intended)

Fail: NSR break pipe excessively corroded, OSR shock absorber has serious fluid leak

Advisory: NSF tyre worn close to legal limit, rear service brake only just met required efficiency (74%), parking brake only just met the required efficiency (17%).

Both shocks would be replaced (standard practice I gather) and the tyre is a stupid semi low profile jobby. [Don't laugh, I get enough stick for that :rolleyes:, they came with the car (honestly!) and the car was a good price.]

jimdog

jitters wrote: »

MOT breakdown (no pun intended)

Fail: NSR break pipe excessively corroded, OSR shock absorber has serious fluid leak

Advisory: NSF tyre worn close to legal limit, rear service brake only just met required efficiency (74%), parking brake only just met the required efficiency (17%).

Both shocks would be replaced (standard practice I gather) and the tyre is a stupid semi low profile jobby. [Don't laugh, I get enough stick for that :rolleyes:, they came with the car (honestly!) and the car was a good price.]

Get another quote! And get just the one shock replaced - its rubbish to replace two!

Premier_2

jitters wrote: »

Hello everyone.

My car, a Ford fiesta (1999 *S) has just failed it's MOT for its third consecutive year and needs approximately £320 to pass and then between £150-300 to sort out the advisory notices.

I've decided I can't afford to keep this car running (no income at present) and I'm going to purchase a cheap car (£300) from a family member with a long-ish MOT whilst I continue searching for jobs and travelling to interviews.

I've looked at my options with regard to 'dealing' with my car and listed them below. I would be great if people could suggest anything i've missed out and give advice on what they may do in a similar situation.

Note: MOT has expired.

Options:

1. Scrap the car - I scrap the car and get a refund on the tax (7 months left) - not sure if I'll get anything for the car though

2. Pay the £320 and get the car through the MOT. Sell the car with MOT and tax. Autotrader prices approx £500-800.

3. Pay £320 and get the car through th MOT and pay an additional ~£150-300 to fix the advisory issues. Sell with MOT and tax for £500-800 - unlikely to break even.

Problems, option 2 is most likely to make a profit. But as it doesn't include the advisory items (problems with brakes) I may not get price quoted. I could not mention the advisory items but this seems morally wrong/illegal? The brakes are safe for now but "scraped" through the MOT. and need "attention".

What do you think? Thanks for looking.

Why would you be considering option 3 when you can do option 2 saving £150- £300?

Consider option 1: Look in local paper to scrap car collection services. Ones around here will pay a minimum of £100 and take the car away (and you can cash in the tax)

colino

You need about a £100 of work on the car (brake pipe and shocker) -advisories are a pass, though with potential/likely future faults drawn to your attention - so you can either make do and mend with a better local garage and keep a car you know, or spend more money on an unknown.

hartcjhart

what area are you(not precise)

rusty-london

You don't need to fix the advisory items, they are just that, advisory.
You can probably get the brake pipe and shock absorber done for £100 or less, so I'd do this then sell the car!

hewhoisnotintheknow

if its a good runner keep it, no point in buying another guy that might need all the same work doing again

i would be happy with £320 to get it through the mot

you could even try to do the advisories your self as a little project, cars are fun to work on sometimes

fto

If money is a issue & you need a car, Keep the fiesta.
Parts are so cheap on these.........What its failed the mot on,is nothing.
Go get some more quotes.Also change both the shockers at the same time, they are cheap enough on a fiesta.