Keep and fix or scrap?

vintagexmagic

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum!

So I bought a Vauxhall Corsa (2007 plate) in May for £2k second-hand from someone on Gumtree (A risk in itself!). It had 100,000 miles on the clock and a few little bits that needed repairing but not anything major that I was aware of at the time of purchase

I had driven it for the past few weeks and noticed that it constantly needed water, noticeably it started steaming. So I stopped using it, to be on the safe side. In addition to that, it pulled to the right indicating the tracking needed to be done.

I have taken it to a mechanic and have discovered that it has some major problems, ie. the onboard computer system needs fixing, something to do with the brakes, bodywork and other things need to be done in order for it to be roadworthy again. He has quoted £1400 all in for him to fix everything. Otherwise, if it is scrapped, I can get about £500 - £700 for it.

I am really at a loss of what to do, as being a new driver (Only passed my test in March), with this as a first car, it has taken me back a bit. Do you think it's best to get fixed? Or scrap it, get some sort of money for it, cancel my insurance and be car-less?

Or should I re-sell to a dealers, making them aware of the problems it has?

Would love some advice as I have no idea what to do and obviously it is an expensive cost?

Thank you in advance.

Ebe_Scrooge

Need a lot more info really.

First off, don't think about selling it to a dealer - you'll get nothing. Stick it in an auction, or eBay, being honest about it's known issues, someone will buy it for repair.

But down to specifics. Losing water - potentially head gasket = expensive, potentially a loose jubilee clip = a few pence.

Onboard computer needs fixing ? No idea, could be any one of a hundred things. If the ECU is fried then you're talking big money, if it's a Lambda sensor then a few quid from a decent indy garage.

Bodywork ?? Are we talking MOT failure, or cosmetic ? If cosmetic, then a visit to your local scrappy and a few hours with wet&dry and paint will sort that. If welding is needed then your local indy is again your best friend.

Pulling to one side - if the tracking is out, then that's easily fixed by any garage. If the brakes are binding, that again is not a difficult fix. In fact, most things brakes-related are not difficult or expensive on "ordinary" cars - most are a DIY job.

I can't offer any concrete advice without more info, but all I can say is don't despair - it may not be as bad as it first seems.

The mechanic you took it to - is he a trustworthy guy ? Is he recommended by friends & family ? He may be trying it on. To repeat the oft-quoted mantra - a trustworthy independent mechanic will be your best friend for many years :-)

I hope this gives you something to go on.

droopsnoot

Sounds quite a lot, to get £500-£700 to scrap it. Normally scrapping is just by weight, though I'm not sure of the price of steel at the moment it's usually more like £100-£150.

Agree you should forget about selling to a dealer - they'll have to fix it and make a profit when they sell it on, so you'll get hardly anything for it. It's hard work selling a "good condition" car to a dealer unless you're part-exchanging it for something else.

But yes, might not be as bad as you think, remember you've only had one quote so far.

Quiet_Spark

vintagexmagic wrote: »

Otherwise, if it is scrapped, I can get about £500 - £700 for it.

You might just about get £500 if you strip it yourself and sell the parts individually, if you weigh it in then you'll be lucky to get £100 at todays scrap metal prices (about 10p per kilo).

vintagexmagic

Hi

Thanks all for your replies. I have heard back from my mechanic and these are the problems...


Abs pump
Passenger seat I.e air bag light
Tracking of wheels
One o/s/f wheel
O/s/f wish bone
O/s/f leg

So - all in all, do you think it's worth paying £1400 to fix it? Or selling it on eBay or Gumtree as 'Spares and Repairs'?

Thank you all for your help.

colino

Are you sure he said osf leg and not strut? If he did, then you've got a hastily fixed up Gumtree special that has a knock on the front corner and needs thoroughly checked over before deciding to fix at all. All of those faults could have resulted from the same bump.