Moral dilemma - selling a wedding present

[Deleted User]

My parents very generously gave us a brand new car as a wedding present 5 years ago, and we've been very happy with it, but it's going to need some expensive repairs/replacement parts soon (will cost £1000s), and it will be a real struggle to pay for this. In my heart I love this car and don't want to sell it, but in my head I can't justify the costs of keeping it.

If I do sell I would either take a lease car from my company, or go for bangernomics.

ceh209

Not a dilemma at all in my head - you've had 5 years use out of it and now it's going to cost you a lot to keep. Definitely get rid.

Thought this was going to be a '1 month after wedding and someone gave us something hideous we don't want...'

Mojisola

It's five years on - surely they wanted you to have a car to use, not a mill-stone that you were meant to keep spending on for the rest of your life.

Grumpypoo

It's had a good innings. Five years is good use out of a car, it's not like you sold it when you got back from honeymoon. Nothing to fret about here.

sillyme673

I would sell it. I bet your parents didn't want it to be burden. Have fun choosing new car:)

Idiophreak

I really don't see a dilemma at all.

Your parents gave you something that's subject to wear and tear, it's been worn. If they wanted to give you something to keep forever, they should have gone for jewellery or pictures, or an ornament...

In reality, they probably knew the car would die one day - but were happy it helped you out at the time.

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone, I did mention these car problems to my parents, but was met with stony silence (when normally they're quick to advise on things). I was quite prodigal in my 20s and needed bailing out by my parents a few times. I've been fine the last 10 years though. Perhaps they fear me reverting to old habits and px-ing for sports car (with massive loan).

Anatidaephobia

[quote=[Deleted User];65767717]Thanks everyone, I did mention these car problems to my parents, but was met with stony silence (when normally they're quick to advise on things). I was quite prodigal in my 20s and needed bailing out by my parents a few times. I've been fine the last 10 years though. Perhaps they fear me reverting to old habits and px-ing for sports car (with massive loan).[/QUOTE]

Just tell them the truth - the car is going to cost too much to repair so, although you're sad to see it go, you're going to sell it, and tell them how you're going to replace it or what you're going to do instead.

Perhaps they thought you were hoping they'd offer to pay for the repairs? Best to be clear with them about your intentions so that they don't go making assumptions.

[Deleted User]

good point, hadn't thought of that. thanks

fivetide

If it was brand new it will presumably have some value?

Work out what it will cost to keep going (sounds like it has been reliable) and what the cost of something else might be and that will tell you if it is cheaper to fix it v buying something new(er)

Does the car do everything you need? What is it is and what is wrong with it? Remember if you are going to sell it you'll need to tell any purchaser what is up with it because you know it needs work so you would be wrong to present it as faultless.

Has it been looked after to this point or used and abused?

Person_one

This is just what happens with cars. They run for a number of years (how many varies greatly) and then you either scrap them when the cost of repair is more than they're worth, or you sell/part-ex and use the value towards the next car.

I admit though, I would expect a decent brand new car to last more than 5 years (mine is 7 years old and still flying through its MOT every year). Maybe your parents are surprised that its reached the end of its life so soon?