MOT failure, worth a second opinion?

owen_money

Here's a second opinion, its' fu*cked, buy a new car

Aretnap

Goly, eight years ago someone drove into the back of my P reg Fiesta and when the insurers offered me a grand for it I thought Christmas had come early. Unless it has more sentimental value than I'd normally associate with a Fiesta I wouldn't even contemplate spending that much to get it through its MOT.

polomints

Well there's a little bit of sentiment there, the thing is it's only 88k miles which is low for it's age and it's still a good runner, but I feel I may have to put it down, especially if the inner sill is rotted, I can't even think how water would get to that.

I already put down a deposit on a 2001 facelift mkIV fiesta a week last Sunday, it was £2,500 and only had 17,000 miles on the clock however my cousin's BF told me that was ridiculous and I managed to get he deposit of £200 back within the cooling off period.
Then I saw a really nice 02 Fiesta with 47,000 on the clock for 1300 but unfortunately someone got to it before me.

chrisw

Condition is far more important than mileage at that level. An 80,000 mile rust free car would be preferable to a 17,000 mile rust box. Lack of use can kill a car quicker than regular daily user.

DaveTheMus

chrisw wrote: »

Condition is far more important than mileage at that level. An 80,000 mile rust free car would be preferable to a 17,000 mile rust box. Lack of use can kill a car quicker than regular daily user.

I agree....

a car with low milage is normally used for short journeys round to the shop and back, in that time the engine and gearbox hasn't had much time to heat up.....

I'd much rather have a car with 100'000 miles and a full service history owned by an enthusiast than a motor around the same age with 20'000 miles and no service history....

I'd scrap your current motor.

polomints

Yeah, that's pretty much why my cousin's BF told me not to buy the 17,000 mile (although it wasn't a rust box, it looked almost mint) car. I just wish the 47,000 mile car (that was almost half the price) had been nearer to my address.

Hintza

If I was buying any car over 12 years old I wouldn't be spending more than £1k.

fivetide

What do you use the car for?

Is it a small car you have because you've always had one or is it a lack of parking space etc etc?

Just wondering if there might be other options than Fiestas is all!

polomints

Yes I like to have a small car it's nippy round town and there are too many Chelsea tractors already.

forgotmyname

What you need to remember is with that amount of corrosion even a relatively small accident could see your car fold like its made from cardboard.

In fact cardboard maybe stronger.