Just spent £500 for MOT - now oil leak

AliceBanned

Hi

I have a 1996 Fiesta - it has done 95000 miles and I wanted to keept it for most of next year then will probably replace it. It had MOT and service 3 weeks ago - I've just noticed oil is leaking. Had this problem before and replaced the sump. Seems strange that just after service and MOT this is happening - is it possible something has been left loose and caused this? Surely wouldn't need a new sump again already. I know nothing about mechanics but could shine a torch under the bonnet and try if anyone can advise what to look for. Otherwise I will take it back to the mechanic who I've been to for 3 years and think he's doing a reasonable job and has not given me any reason to mistrust him.

MOT repairs included new mid and rear exhaust, some welding where the driver's seat belt is secured, some work on suspension and a few small bits. Never gets through MOT without around £300-400 but then seems worth it as I only do about 4000 miles and can't afford a new one yet - hoping to save for this by next summer. It has been reliable and despite its age not a bad drive. I use the trains a lot also so it suits me for now but am beginning to wonder if another expense on top of the last one..thanks.

scheming_gypsy

When it was serviced they'd do an oil change; that will involve going under the car and unscrewing the sump plug to drain the oil... and then replacing the oil filter so it's possible they've not tightened the sump plug and it's leaking,


Jack the front end up so you can see under and point a torch over where the leak is coming from and see if you can see anything.

liam8282

"Just spent £500 for MOT - now oil leak I have a 1996 Fiesta - it has done 95000 miles."

Nothing like stating the obvious, but your MOT probably cost more than the car is worth.

If it is costing you around £400 a year just to get through the MOT, you should have parted with it long ago.

You have spent the £500 now so you will want your moneys worth out of it, but I would seriously consider selling or part exchanging it asap, or definitely before next years MOT.

Strider590

^^ Aye, sump plug would be my first port of call...... They might have left it loose OR didn't replace the sump plug seal (which should always be replaced with an oil change).

Easy to spot at the lowest point of the engine, sticking out of the sump....

andygb

liam8282 wrote: »

"Just spent £500 for MOT - now oil leak I have a 1996 Fiesta - it has done 95000 miles."

Nothing like stating the obvious, but your MOT probably cost more than the car is worth.

If it is costing you around £400 a year just to get through the MOT, you should have parted with it long ago.

You have spent the £500 now so you will want your moneys worth out of it, but I would seriously consider selling or part exchanging it asap, or definitely before next years MOT.

I agree, have just seen a very clean Mondeo 1.8 petrol (W reg) on a local dealer's forecourt for £600.

Strider590

andygb wrote: »

I agree, have just seen a very clean Mondeo 1.8 petrol (W reg) on a local dealer's forecourt for £600.

That's one overpriced Mundano

AliceBanned

liam8282 wrote: »

"Just spent £500 for MOT - now oil leak I have a 1996 Fiesta - it has done 95000 miles."

Nothing like stating the obvious, but your MOT probably cost more than the car is worth.

If it is costing you around £400 a year just to get through the MOT, you should have parted with it long ago.

You have spent the £500 now so you will want your moneys worth out of it, but I would seriously consider selling or part exchanging it asap, or definitely before next years MOT.

I know that it is not worth £500 but I don't want to sell it, I want to drive it until I can afford something else, hopefully next year. Plan was to drive it until it gives up. It was garaged for a long time by previous owner so isn't showing or acting it's age I don't think. I did consider looking for something new at the time when quoted the repairs but I could have spent £1k on something else which could go wrong in 2 months. That was my reasoning, I felt I had to keep it for now as I know so little and buying something else is equally risky. It had FSH when I bought it and only paid £400 for it myself, 6 years ago so it's just something to keep me on the road. Something new for me at the moment is a whole research project I need to do in the next few months, both financially and in terms of finding a replacement for the old Fiesta. Incidentally it has been 100% reliable. I know where you are coming from though and I will probably seek advice on here about what to get next..thanks.:)

AliceBanned

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

When it was serviced they'd do an oil change; that will involve going under the car and unscrewing the sump plug to drain the oil... and then replacing the oil filter so it's possible they've not tightened the sump plug and it's leaking,


Jack the front end up so you can see under and point a torch over where the leak is coming from and see if you can see anything.

Will take a look, thanks!

AliceBanned

By the way, I did this morning think about part exchange. What would I get, considering it has a year's MOT? I thought very little, maybe £100- £150.

I have to pay for the rest on my credit card at the moment so even spending £1k on another car is too much right now; part of my reason for just keeping it. MOT repairs were actually £370, service £100 or thereabouts so I didn't think it a waste of money overall, considering over six years - (I didnt' spend £400 on MOTS every single year, just 3 including this one. Insurance also low for me £150 a year so I still think cheaper motoring will be difficult. If I were doing higher mileage it wouldn't be economical though but I spend £2.5k commuting by train and use the car for leisure and getting to the station (2 miles) and it is essential for my social life and it has got me through a tight time financially. Surely any car would cost a few hundred a year to service, MOT, tax etc so I'm not sure how much cheaper it can get for me, as I can't do much myself unless I go on a course!

AliceBanned

andygb wrote: »

I agree, have just seen a very clean Mondeo 1.8 petrol (W reg) on a local dealer's forecourt for £600.

Thanks. I am just concerned at spending another even £600 on a car that could be a heap of crap. At least mine doesn't break down, it just fails every MOT lol but I save in not having HP payments and interest on something newer. I can't do much more at the moment so have stuck with it. . Some people keep changing cars but I never have as I then have to deal with car salesman or some dodgy dealer, potentially rather than stick with what I have. It can give me the creeps as well, for single women it is difficult dealing with the salesmen etc and some of the mechanics.:(. Sorry to say this, but it's been my experience.

gardner1

next year change garage and go to local council mot centre