To keep or to scrap

ADaffodil184

Hi All! so, it was MOT'd yesterday, and got the following:

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))
• Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))
• Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
• Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i)

They didn't test it until late in the day so still have it today, to do the rear brakes - they said they need to strip them and find out if something is causing the imbalance (like something touching it), and quoted £250 ish including the MOT. I've told them to go ahead.
Do you think it's worth getting them to address the rear coils, too? Just to note I do around 14,000 miles a year (if that makes a difference to the advice)..

Goudy

That's a pretty good result there for an 11 year old car.
The rear brakes don't usually get the wear the fronts get (or the attention) as they are drum brakes, so they often get overlooked until they throw up results like this at the MOT.
They are probably due a refit now anyway, so don't be too unhappy, as the parking/service brake is lagging I would guess they're just worn rather than anything major.

I wouldn't worry too much yet about the springs, it's very common for testers to flag them up on advisories, but if you're worried, try and take a picture or two and post them here, you'll need to get down on your hands and knees.
If you're doing that, try and get a snap of the lower "pans" the rear springs fit into.  Once you get under the rear bumper, all the parts should be easily seen.
These are noted for a bit of rust and it might be worth planning on some new springs and a clean up and paint of those "pans" some time before the next MOT.

ADaffodil184

Thanks Goudy, I thought it was a pretty good outcome (and no mention of the exhaust that was noted last year!), so I'm pleased I put it through and didn't give it up for a new car!
I think I will leave the springs and see what comes up next year.. Not sure how I'd go about finding them to take photos but happy to try! It might be good to have some idea of their actual condition..! Them and the pans!
Thanks for all your advice!

Goudy

Just stick the flash on you smarthphone, point it up under the back of the rear wheels and snap away, changing the angle slightly between shots. I'm sure you'll get an image sooner or later.

alan_d

Generally I keep cars going until something significant needs doing, and keep on top of maintenance before things get bad. I do 95% of the work myself to keep costs down.
None of the faults you mention would make me consider scrapping a car, they all fall under maintenance as far as i'm concerned.
I currently run a 2003 (115k miles) and a 2007 (175k miles) car, and this approach has worked well for years.
There are plenty of people on here (and most you know!) paying £300 - £500 per month for cars on finance or leases for cars they'll never own - so even with your MOT costs, the savings over the last 3 or 4 years are MASSIVE compared to that!

Ectophile

I wouldn't worry at all about the springs.  I have owned my Fiat panda since new.  On its first MOT at 3 years, I got an advisory for rusty springs.  It's now 10 years old, and still on the original springs.  it's one of those silly things that MOT inspectors like to put down on the form.

The light should be easy enough to fix, and any decent mechanic should be able to sort out the rear brakes.

ADaffodil184

I picked the car up yesterday, one of the calipers was leaking brake fluid so that's what was causing the problem. All sorted! and at a cost that works out at around £20 a month I can't complain at all!
The owner of the garage said the car is sound, and that he wouldn't consider getting rid of it - much the same as you have all said! I'd be daft to get rid of a car that runs fine and doesn't let me down for the sake of a relatively (very!) small repair bill.
The Ka lives to drive another year! I might even treat it to a wash this weekend!
Thank you all for your advice! (I am leaving the coils and will see what crops up next year..!)