What should I do about my elderly Multipla?

MadelinesMum

Hi all, I have a 51 plate Multipla with 123k on the clock. She had what I thought was a rattle in the engine but I soon realised it only rattled when the clutch was depressed. Got my usual garage to take a look and they say it needs a new clutch - £460 plus parts!

I was a bit grieved because when I bought the car I have the invoice for a new clutch at 90k. I do live in a valley and do lots of hill starts and steep hill junctions but saying that 3rd gear has always been a bit hit and miss.

I am in a dilemma, do I get her repaired or buy another car. At a stretch I can afford £800 for another car but it could have the same or worse problems.

My house is for sale and when it sells I was planning on buying a newer car anyway, so this has really come at the wrong time.

What would you do?
Thanks in advance

attila_

I'd get it done.

arcon5

Shop around, you should surely be able to get a clutch done for less than the £500 they seem to be quoting (parts about £50).

Or depending on when you plan on buying a house and get a new car, risk it with the rattle. Not all rattles mean near immediate failure. I've driven a Mondeo before with a similar rattle and it did another 60k miles before being scrapped for unrelated problems, clutch and flywheel never faltered throughout this whole time despite the rattle.

colino

Well done in getting and enjoying something quirky in the first place! In reality there are a lot of options. Keep on driving it: The garage repair cost exceeds what the car is worth and Multiplas aren't exactly unknown for clutch problems (not just the clutch itself) with their relatively heavy weight and usual under-speced Fiat transmission component issues.
Shop around and get a fixed priced quote from a respectable garage. They do, depending on the model, take a bit of time to do, though aren't particularly difficult. Don't entertain a mobile mechanic who says he'll do it for something daft like £300 all in though.
You could do it on the driveway yourself, but if it's your first major bit of DIY, it will either kill or cure that particular notion of a hobby and could end up with you scrapping it half-way through.
Genuine bits will be in the £150-200 mark, so it would have to be a particularly good member of the family for me to do more than drive it until it goes bang and weighing the rest in.

Tilt

Apart from the unusual looks, these have a good rep (as i'm sure you would confirm). I'm also sure you could get it done a lot cheaper than you have been quoted.

maninthestreet

Is the clutch slipping? Can you get the car into all gears easily? If it's just rattling, it may continue to work as designed for many miles before failing.

Herzlos

I'd repair it; it'll cost you less than buying a new one, and you'll know it's got a new clutch.

Clive_Woody

Check your breakdown cover is up to date and carry on regardless.

salubrious

I wouldn't start throwing money at it, especially if the mot is nearing due - These cars suffer with serious corrosion issues as well as a host of other issues.

I have some pictures here somewhere of one I tested which needed to be seen to be believed.

Herzlos

Clive_Woody wrote: »

Check your breakdown cover is up to date and carry on regardless.

Check your breakdown cover covers pre-existing faults first.

MadelinesMum

Thanks for all your replies.

The MOT is due this month so it is at the garage now having it done. I thought I might as well as it will be the final decider, I suppose.

There doesn't feel anything wrong with the clutch or the gears, except for third which has always been the same - sometimes doesn't want to go in but will go in if taken back to neutral and try again, this only rarely happens and might just be me.

Just waiting on the phone call now.

I paid £2k for her around 4 years ago and I specifically travelled to get her because she was all I wanted. I have four children so she is perfect for the family.