Used car/or MoT repairs - advice needed urgently

AliceBanned

Hi
My very old Fiesta (1995) has just failed its MoT. I don't have a quote for repairs yet but some of the problem is welding needed to the two front wheel arches which sounds a bit major to me, plus emissions. I was going to spend about 5k on a newer car towards the end of next summer - now my plans may be scuppered as I may need to get something before the beginning of December, when MOt runs out. Can anyone suggest what would be best? Fiesta has good service history, 88000 miles and usually can be a bit expensive (£300-400) each MOT. It hasn't needed welding before though. Would I be better off rushing around to try and get finance and buy something decent now? That would be a pressure on me, or I could look for a 1k old banger locally, although not too keen! Thanks for any advice - I need a car as I live on the edge of town and need it to get to the station and to do anything socially evenings/weekends so I can't go for more than say a week without one. Any hire options also would be worth me considering, if anyone has good recommendations. Thanks!

jaydeeuk1

If its MOT failure, its probably worth £100 at best.

If it had 12 months MOT, probably worth £400 at least, maybe £500 dep on condition. Sounds like it been looked after if it has good service history.

Next summer, with perhaps 6 months MOT, I'd say £350-£450 is fair.


Say it cost £400 to put right, you'd get most of that back when you come to trade/sell, and not have to worry about some £1000 banger blowing up 2 months later. No brainer imo.

AliceBanned

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

If its MOT failure, its probably worth £100 at best.

If it had 12 months MOT, probably worth £400 at least, maybe £500 dep on condition. Sounds like it been looked after if it has good service history.

Next summer, with perhaps 6 months MOT, I'd say £350-£450 is fair.


Say it cost £400 to put right, you'd get most of that back when you come to trade/sell, and not have to worry about some £1000 banger blowing up 2 months later. No brainer imo.

Many thanks jaydeeuk1 - I must admit whilst waiting for replies I was coming round to that way of thinking. Hadn't thought much about secondhand value of mine but you are right. It can also be dangerous if I'm running around desperately trying to get something just to tide me over. At least if I get it through for say under £400 it should be worth it as I know the rest of it is fairly sound, as far as it is possible to tell. I spent only £200 on it for the whole of last year when the sump corroded. So I guess overall a few hundred to include service is worth paying rather than having to face second hand car dealers in tears lol. thanks, i appreciate your feedback.

AliceBanned

Just got the price through - £377 inc VAT including interim service. needs new Cat. Converter (this car almost always fails on emissions!) and both rear sills need welding. One mirror is loose and needs fixing. Not too bad, I was panicking over nothing really. The mechanic said he has seen much newer cars in a far worse state. Makes me think of keeping it, but it isn't very economical for fuel.

AliceBanned

Also spoke to Carcraft salesman in the meantime. I'm now not too keen on shopping for something new. Apparently I can have a new car delivered to my door tonight. No test drive or anything. yeah right. :rotfl: Not pushy at all.

gardner1

who did the mot

might be worth having it done at council mot centre

1995 isnt that old

rizel23

yep council MOT center is next stop (you candrive it to the center if your car has failed as long as your pre book) you could spend that sort of money to get through MOT and then something else to go wrong before next summer if we have a bad winter again

mikey72

£377 for a year's mot and a service, take it. You can lose more than that buying a runaround to last 6 months until it's next MOT, then have it fail.
Council MOT will cost, and if it fails it's still going to need work. The emissions are on a print out, it won't lie.

gardner1

the emissions results may just be over nothing that a good run to warm engine up before mot test and hey presto pass

Rolandtheroadie

Spend the £377 and get the ticket.

Why people would advise another MOT when your still going to need welding....... Just read Mikeys post.

gardner1

just because garage says it needs welding does not mean it will need it get second oppinion


OP who did mot was it a big chain centre or small garage