Should I fix my 17 year old car?

khw05

I took my 2000 Nissan Micra for MOT this week and have been told the repairs will be around £500. I've taken it to a local mechanic who I believe is trustworthy. As the car is 17 years old it's probably only worth around £150-200!

My other option would be to buy a 'new' used car for around £700-1000, however I'm aware that this could come with its own problems. Despite the age my current car is reliable, always starts up on a cold morning. The only other expense I've had with my during the past year was a service and a few small bits and pieces for around £150.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. How long can I realistically expect the car to last? It has around 112,000 miles on the clock and I only use it for short journeys.

Thanks in advance!

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

khw05 wrote: »

I took my 2000 Nissan Micra for MOT this week and have been told the repairs will be around £500. I've taken it to a local mechanic who I believe is trustworthy. As the car is 17 years old it's probably only worth around £150-200!

My other option would be to buy a 'new' used car for around £700-1000, however I'm aware that this could come with its own problems. Despite the age my current car is reliable, always starts up on a cold morning. The only other expense I've had with my during the past year was a service and a few small bits and pieces for around £150.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. How long can I realistically expect the car to last? It has around 112,000 miles on the clock and I only use it for short journeys.

Thanks in advance!

The value does not relate to its mechanical condition and likelihood of it lasting. Virtually any car of that age is going to be worth a couple of hundred quid - the scrap value.

If you are happy with the rest of the car and the £500 resolves all the issues then certainly consider it. If you buy another car of similar value (£500 repair + a bit) then you are into the same risks.

Sounds like you are not interested in the car except as a tool so the conversation I would have with the mechanic is whether he believes that the £500 will keep it on the road for another year or two, or whether it is the beginning of the end.

Nobbie1967

What stuff needs doing for the £500? Is it just routine maintenance, or is their welding to be done?

Tom99

If you can only afford £1,000 for a replacement you will be buying someone elses load of trouble.

At least you know the history of your car. I would pay the £500 and get it fixed.

stator

Get it fixed unless you car has rust holes in it or there are other problems you know about, eg if the cam belt needs doing soon

wgl2014

If you are otherwise happy with the car then fix it.

Sounds counterintuitive but doing short runs can place extra demands on your engine oil as it's never getting up to temp for long. Make sure you get an oil and filter change at least every 12 months. No reason your car shouldn't carry on file for years to come but you need to be prepared that one major repair bill could mean a trip to the scrappy.

Gloomendoom

Tom99 wrote: »

If you can only afford £1,000 for a replacement you will be buying someone elses load of trouble.

At least you know the history of your car. I would pay the £500 and get it fixed.

My thoughts too.

konark

stator wrote: »

Get it fixed unless you car has rust holes in it or there are other problems you know about, eg if the cam belt needs doing soon

Micras have a chain.

peter12345678910

If the insurance is running out soon do it, but consider £2000 budget.

dogshome

Micra's of that era have very long lives, unless the problem is rust, keep it

Sarastro

You're wasting your money repairing this one. It's too easy to say, "next big bill, I'll change it" because lots of small bills will add up.