Car MOT failure need a new one!

3011gillian

We have a 2009 Vauxhall’s Meriva which we’ve had for about 6yrs. It’s failed it’s MOT every year! We’ve tried a new garage this year and it’s starting to cost more than we’re comfortable with and becoming a pain as repairs take 3-4 days or longer which todaybhas meant me missing work (self employed so no pay!

We’re currently on a dmp so not the greatest financial position although no ccj’s etc.
What would be the best option on getting a ‘almost’ new car? Would we have any issues with credit checks etc? Any advice on where to go and what to do would be great. Thanks x

DUTR

Is finance going to be less than your current repair costs?

3011gillian

No sorry I should say we’ll repair it for now but look to get another car in the coming months.

DUTR

3011gillian wrote: »

No sorry I should say we’ll repair it for now but look to get another car in the coming months.

What I mean is the ongoing finance costs may well outweigh currently running the current vehicle.
I don't know about the finance as it's been many years since I have had to borrow to buy a car. Budgeting was the key for me, if you already have lots of outgoings adding to it may soften one blow but add to your current predicament.

3011gillian

DUTR wrote: »

What I mean is the ongoing finance costs may well outweigh currently running the current vehicle.
I don't know about the finance as it's been many years since I have had to borrow to buy a car. Budgeting was the key for me, if you already have lots of outgoings adding to it may soften one blow but add to your current predicament.

Yes I see what you mean. I’ve no idea how much the I going repairs would be, it the unreliability that’s unnerving. I feel it could break down at any point (of course it could last years yet!) but I just feel even the MOT repairs each year will only go up and up.
I’m thinking a set monthly price for a newer car would be easier to manage and less likely to break down or require costly repair (although obviously could happen with any car!)

DUTR

3011gillian wrote: »

Yes I see what you mean. I’ve no idea how much the I going repairs would be, it the unreliability that’s unnerving. I feel it could break down at any point (of course it could last years yet!) but I just feel even the MOT repairs each year will only go up and up.
I’m thinking a set monthly price for a newer car would be easier to manage and less likely to break down or require costly repair (although obviously could happen with any car!)

If a newer car does break down the repair cost is likely to be more.
On the whole MOT fails should be things you notice before the test is due.

caprikid1

If you can provide the last few years fails we can give a sensible appraisal.


If it is just lack of basic maintenance then a new car will be worse as you will devalue it by lack of maintenance.

3011gillian

caprikid1 wrote: »

If you can provide the last few years fails we can give a sensible appraisal.


If it is just lack of basic maintenance then a new car will be worse as you will devalue it by lack of maintenance.

Well this year it’s the seatbelt Anchorage needs weldering, and the rod between the suspension and wheel.
I literally get in the car drive to work and drive back. We wash it and put air in the tyres every so often, replace wiper blades and top up wiper fluid etc . I’m just an average Joe I don’t know anything about maintenance other than the basics!

MovingForwards

What garage do you use for your MOTs? Main dealer? Halfords? Etc

What are all the repairs you have had done since you purchased the car?

How much has each repair cost you?

How often do you do regular maintainence and what do you do or who does it and what do they do?

Can you realistically save £1k over the next 11 months and spend a month looking for a budget replacement.

Technically this years repairs should have been expected due to receiving advisories last MOT.

Remember, sometimes it's better the devil you know.

mattyprice4004

Give us a breakdown of the work it's had done, and the cost - I'm not meaning to judge, but a lot of my friends have moaned about the cost of MOT repairs etc - and when I've looked at the invoices, it's all been for minor work that could have needed to be done on any car.

Motoring isn't cheap, if it's only £100-£200 per year on minor repairs I'd stick with it for now. It could be so much worse - if you had a Fiesta EcoBoost, you'd likely have needed a new engine at some point (and until recently, Ford told customers to go away leaving them with a £7000 bill).

3011gillian

Thanks all, its more a case of the car getting old and I don’t want it to start costing more than it’s worth. Non of the repairs were listed as advisory last year and there no way I’d know about sealbelt anchors and suspension rods to maintain things like that. I’m fine with it costing what it needs but I don’t want to keep lowing money into it when it’s just declining year on year.
I can’t also keep running it until it completely dies on me. I have to travel locally for work and carry equipment which makes trains/buses difficult.
I just want to replace it with something newer which may give us a few years good service before it starts to cost us.
Anyone got any thought on places to get good deals and what I should look for in terms of a good solid reliable make/model for a family. Thank you