Total sub-frame failure.

HillStreetBlues

Only have limited info but welcome any views.

Getz pass MOT in March with an advisory of rust on sub-frame, 7 months later it completely collapsed.
Would something like this normally happen? 

Herzlos

With visible rust on a sub frame, then anything could happen in 7 months in the UK.

Flight3287462

Depending on the car, not necessarily difficult to replace.  But would it be worth it? 

SiliconChip

Assuming that the car is a Hyundai Getz then it's a minimum of 11 years old, and could be as much as 20. I'd be surprised if it's worth fixing now, but there might be some parts value in it.

facade

The front subframe on a Getz is a common rust failure. Brand new ones are cheap (£100 or so) and very easy to change.

Certainly worth doing at a local garage who is happy to re-use as many of the old parts as possible. (Assuming the car is otherwise fine )

HillStreetBlues

Bit more info
2008 1.4  70000 miles
Did drive fine and no other advisories
Towed to garage and said it's a right off and can give £60 (yes I know!) for it.

facade

HillStreetBlues said:

Bit more info
2008 1.4  70000 miles
Did drive fine and no other advisories
Towed to garage and said it's a right off and can give £60 (yes I know!) for it.

Depends on what you haven't said.

If the subframe came apart at 70mph, and the car rolled 8 times before hitting a lamppost then £60 is probably right.

If there is no damage just a corroded subframe, then they will buy a £100 subframe trade for about £75, and fit it when they have no work on (and they are paying wages & bills anyway) and then sell it for £1500 or so.

How much do they say it will cost to fix?

What could you realistically get for this + £60 (+ admin fees to swap your insurance etc.)

HillStreetBlues

Happened a low speed in a car park.
Garage just said right off so would give £60 scrap value.
It's a friend's dads car (he's in his late 70s) and was going to take the £60.
So I'm going with him on Monday to talk to the garage.

He is going to get another car,  but I want him to get the best price he can even if it's for scrap.

facade

You have to be realistic, to the garage it is worth nothing now, but will be after they have put in the work (remember it is standing in their way whilst they wait, the space is worth money), then they want to make a decent profit because they have to offer a bit of a guarantee.

If you want to sell it on eBay for spares/repair, you now have to tow it home, which will cost.

I assume there is bodywork damage if they say it is a write-off, I can't google a price for a simple subframe replacement, but it is only a few hours labour plus the part, so it shouldn't write off a £1500 car, new body panels and a respray as well might..

HillStreetBlues

Did an on-line quote for scrap, comes to £285 with collection.
Any reason why not to do that if the car is a right off?

Herzlos

Assuming they are fine with the condition of it, then £285 collected seems like a pretty good deal. For that money I'm assuming they'll try and put it back on the road, since it looks like the scrap value of steel is only about £25/ton at the moment.