To scrap or not... That is the question

mary2012

Hi, I wonder if anyone can advise me on what to do.. I have an S Reg Vauxhall Vectra. It runs great, never a problem.

Its out of MOT and tax is due at end of this month.

Bodywork is so-so.

I arent a mechanic and dont know anyone to look at it... Do I spend time and money for someone to do it up to sell on or scrap it?

Longships

Take it in to a friendly garage for an MOT but get them to give you a call to let you know how much work needs to be done to get it to pass and what it would cost - then you can decide if it is worth it. As long as it has an MOT it should be easy to sell.

peter_the_piper

Running great? Never a problem?
Why sell it or scrap?

mary2012

Would I pay the MOT? Sorry to sound thick, but I dont know if its worth plowing money into it if it does need work.

I cant afford to run it, the tax is £118 ish for 6 months.

I also skidded on the road a few weeks ago and its scared me.

I want to buy a smaller car so would put the money towards that...

GT60

The Mot can cost £50
the tax for any car is about the same as what you are paying now
you can skid in any car
the smaller car MAY save you some money on fuel
If you trade in your car with an MOT you could get about £500 or LESS you would have to ask around.
What would you say was wrong with it now that it would not pass an MOT and when was it last serviced?

mary2012

I've had it maybe 2 years, I've never had its serviced, but I have topped up with oil and water

I think the brake pipes under the car will need replacing, maybe brake shoes too, because I hear it scrap sometimes.

If I were to keep it, I would want different tyres on it.

Tut, I just dont know what to do for the best.

gravitytolls

Rather than pay for an mot, perhaps take it somewhere for pre mot, which should be considerably less, then you'll know what you're up against. Alternatively, see what you can get for it without an mot.

Were there any advisories last year?

gilbert_and_sullivan

mary2012 wrote: »

Would I pay the MOT? Sorry to sound thick, but I dont know if its worth plowing money into it if it does need work.

I cant afford to run it, the tax is £118 ish for 6 months.

I also skidded on the road a few weeks ago and its scared me.

I want to buy a smaller car so would put the money towards that...

You'll spend a lot more than the annual VED cost to replace this fine workhorse, replacement will need taxing too.

Skidding on the road could well be down to cheap rubbish tyres, it usually is, unless you spend mucho money finding a well cared for next used car or go new, its likely to be on ditchfinders too, people spend thousands of pounds on a car and then put the cheapest untried rubbish tyres on and complain when it skids.

Invariably the most economical car is the one you already have if money is the driving factor, if you really do want smaller, then fair enough, but don't be surprised if its a disappointment compared to the present.

mary2012

Thank you everyone... I am gonna go and find a friendly garage this week and see what they think.. I like the car as it is nice and heavy and reliable. I just worry about the cost of taxing it... Its probably worth spending a couple of hundred on it and then taxing it... Thank you

GT60

If you live near M-cr let me know and i will take a look at the car

mary2012

Thank you, thats really kind... sadly I am near Durham