Indebt and car about to pack up

Nayma12

I am looking for any advice regarding the fact that my very old car has presented me with a £500 bill!!! Unexpected - it has many many miles on the clock and probably not going to last much longer according to mechanic. I cannot get to work or collect my children from school/childcare without a car so buses /walking would be impossible. Realistically, it needs replacing very soon ( with a more economical model - car costs a lot to run as it is old). My problem is than I spend all my spare cash on credit card payments ( working on this). I have looked at financing( not a great option for someone in debt but may be the only way I can buy a car without spare cash). Does anyone here have advice on running economical cars/buying a new car whilst still paying off debt. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks:)

Brightspark87

Hi didn't want to read this and run. Have you looked at how much you would get for your old car and how much an economical second hand car you need would be? Best thing is to look at that sort fall.

FireWyrm

Nayma12 wrote: »

I am looking for any advice regarding the fact that my very old car has presented me with a £500 bill!!! Unexpected - it has many many miles on the clock and probably not going to last much longer according to mechanic. I cannot get to work or collect my children from school/childcare without a car so buses /walking would be impossible. Realistically, it needs replacing very soon ( with a more economical model - car costs a lot to run as it is old). My problem is than I spend all my spare cash on credit card payments ( working on this). I have looked at financing( not a great option for someone in debt but may be the only way I can buy a car without spare cash). Does anyone here have advice on running economical cars/buying a new car whilst still paying off debt. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks:)

Dont. Dont buy a 'new' car on finance just because your mechanic 'says' the car is 'on it's last legs'....(was there a sharp intake of breath through the teeth by any chance?)

Get a second opinion from a larger garage. Kwik Fit usually are pretty good and they dont have much of an axe to grind in terms of extracting money for unnecessary repairs. A second hand car will cost you more than £500 these days though it is possible to pick up a tolerable 10 year old for that. What exactly is wrong with it anyway? Is it the parts that will cost £500, or the labour? Could you potentially do it yourself, or do you know someone who can help you fix whatever is wrong? I've done alternators and breaks by myself with the help of a manual and a friend, so it isnt rocket science. I once had a garage tell me they wanted £70 parts and labour to fix a back windscreen wiper...I did it for £10.

19lottie82

Ask your friends / colleagues if they know any mechanics (personally). Most will take these jobs on as "homers" and it will be a lot cheaper for you.

Nayma12

Thanks for the advice- the mechanic is a family friend who has replaced ally tyres in that as well. Clutch has gone, as have brake pads, its leaking fluid from one of the pipes( cant remember what)! Faulty wires causing back brakes to short.... And the list goes on. I have thought long and hard about the advice given and have decided to get my car fixed and run it as long as i can. In the meantime, i plan to throw all spare cash at my credit cards so that when car finally gives up the ghost i will hopefully be in a better position to buy another car. Thanks again for all advice.

Bobarella

Hi Nayma
Just to say I felt I couldn't manage without a car but have done just that for 2 months. Same story as you pretty much. I walk everywhere except 1 bus ride a day so my costs are around £10 a week vs £40 in petrol. There are some downsides like getting soaked every so often but at the moment I feel happier not taking on more debt to buy another car.

[Deleted User]

Post up an SOA.

If you can cut spending to the bone (the good people on here can help a lot in this), you could have the price of a cheap replacement, in a few months.

owen_money

FireWyrm wrote: »

Dont. Dont buy a 'new' car on finance just because your mechanic 'says' the car is 'on it's last legs'....(was there a sharp intake of breath through the teeth by any chance?)

Get a second opinion from a larger garage. Kwik Fit usually are pretty good and they dont have much of an axe to grind in terms of extracting money for unnecessary repairs. A second hand car will cost you more than £500 these days though it is possible to pick up a tolerable 10 year old for that. What exactly is wrong with it anyway? Is it the parts that will cost £500, or the labour? Could you potentially do it yourself, or do you know someone who can help you fix whatever is wrong? I've done alternators and breaks by myself with the help of a manual and a friend, so it isnt rocket science. I once had a garage tell me they wanted £70 parts and labour to fix a back windscreen wiper...I did it for £10.

Dont ever, ever say 'Kwik Fit usually are pretty good and they dont have much of an axe to grind in terms of extracting money for unnecessary repairs.' on the motoring board or you will get a huge and might 'flaming' . From what I can gather other peoples experience of KF is the mirror opposite of what you say. I used them once for a free brake check up and they wanted to change a load of parts at a cost of £300+. Never had it done and the brakes never failed and the car passed the MOT every year ok.

glentoran99

Do not use kwik fit, Small independent on friends/family recommendation is the best bet

its_maths_not_magic

Ah cars. I could swear they know to break down just when you've completely run out of money. The car I drive now only cost me £490, and that came with car tax for a few months. I've had no complaints with it. So, if your car is on its last legs, probably trying to free up £500 is a great idea.

Andehh

Don't go to quick fit, it's like taking your laptop into pc world!!

Use the good garage scheme to find a good, reliable, popular garage nearby and ask them. Plead the hardship case and go in when they are likely to be quieter and see what they say!