Selling old banger: advice needed.

Aquamarina

Hi Everyone,

I'm in a bit of a quandry here. We have a 14-year old car which we have owned for the last 11. It has been faultlessly reliable and our intention was to keep it going forever(ish). In March we spent out on two new tyres, an exhaust and some belts and it has also recently had a new catalyst.

We have unexpectedly been offered a slightly newer car which will suit us better as it has 5 doors by a friend who has owned it from new.

So we need to sell the other car. It currently has 6 months tax and MOT, but has developed a rattle at the front and clunks when it goes over an uneven road. My question is: should I...

1. Sell it as it is really cheap (say £250) with faults explained
2. Get the rattle fixed and sell it for £250 + cost of repair
3. As 2 but include a new MOT and sell for more.

I am slightly sentimental about this car so would like it to go to a nice home rather than someone who'll rag it for 6 months then scrap it. I also feel a moral obligation to sell it without any known faults.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Aquamarina x

Badger_Lady

Do you know exactly what the fault is and how much it would cost to repair? That would make the biggest impact on your decision.

Generally speaking, a vehicle with a new MOT and no 'significant' faults will have a higher profit margin for you than one that can't be proven to be worth more than its scrap value... sadly your word that "it's reliable" won't wash with a stranger.

Weird_Nev

It would help to know what it is.
If it's only £250 worth as is, then I'd say it's probably not worth much more 'fixed'. You certainly run the risk of it costing you money. Suspension work may not be cheap.

Bang it on ebay with a £200 reserve and see what you get. Forget sentimentality, if you're selling it then you need to stop caring about it!
Only other solution (if it's suitable) is to sell/give it to a family member or friend in need of a reliable car.

Aquamarina

It's a Toyota Corolla 1.3 with 130k on the clock.

split_second

toyotas in decent condition always make good money, get the rattle looked at, get somewhere honest to check it out and give a proper breakdown of what the repair will cost.

if it has been maintained well, has no visible faults and is a corolla, it wont end up as scrap in 6 months, if it was bigger than a 1.3 i would suggest it might end up as a minicab

Aquamarina

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll get it looked at next week and see what the repairs will cost.
Does anyone have an idea of what the car would be worth fixed with 12 months MOT so I can judge if the repair is feesable?

Rolandtheroadie

If it's got 6 months Tax and 6 months MOT I wouldnt bother with a new MOT.
It's an ideal buy for someone looking for a winter hack.
Hopefully the faults something simple like a drop link, ball joint or roll bar bush.
Get a quick quote on the repairs then ebay it with an honest description. You may be pleasantly surprised.

s_b

i would just offer it for sale at £495 and clunks come free

mikey72

It was a Toyota from when they made a reasonable car, they go for around £500 on ebay.
I'd leave the clonking noise alone, no one expects a perfect car for that age.
Just put it on as it is.

Aquamarina

Thanks guys. I'll stick it on eBay as it is next week starting at £250.

mcjordi

the knocks at the front tend to be droplinks/ball joints and can be done cheap.. if your anywhere near me i can take a look if you want?