WeBuyAnyCar Non-runner, or other scrapper? 12 January at 3:51PM in Motoring 9 replies 420 views

greensalad

My car suffered catastrophic engine failure last year. Top camshaft pulley broke and damaged the engine, timing belt out and would require a new engine / full re-build.

I put it into "WeBuyAnyCar" as a non-runner and was quoted £3,810 which seems far too high to be true IMO, but I know that the used car market is mad at the moment so maybe it is worth something, even with the rebuild? I would have to pay for it to be towed to their location and I'm concerned that they would then turn around and say no thank you which leaves me with having to have it towed to my house, and then presumably towed again when I finally sell it.

Has anyone done WeBuyAnyCar with a non-runner? How does it work? It didn't ask me for any details of why it's a non-runner so I don't see how they can value it very easily.

I'm going to try and contact some local scrappers but this is something I've never done before so I don't know how it all works.

Grumpy_chap

What is the car and the age of the car before the engine failure?

The best part of £4k for a non-runner seems a very lot of money to me, but it really does depend on what the vehicle is.

If the car is a good condition, 5yo, family saloon then £4k plus an engine rebuild would still be a bargain.

Conversely, you then suggest contact local scrap yards, which I read to imply the car is somewhat older and really of negligible value.

greensalad

It’s a 2015 VW Polo TSI. Otherwise good condition. 35,000 miles and full service history.

I’m thinking £1-1,500 is more likely. But it’s hard to know.

diystarter7

did you say it was a non runner?

greensalad

Yes on the WBAC quote. Their running quote was £8,000. £3,800 seems insanely high for something that needs a new engine. 

Grumpy_chap

greensalad said:

It’s a 2015 VW Polo TSI. Otherwise good condition. 35,000 miles and full service history.

I’m thinking £1-1,500 is more likely. But it’s hard to know.

Looks like it could be a car that would retail at £8k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141674081

So, £4k plus needing an engine build could be a realistic valuation.

Ganga

Grumpy_chap said:

greensalad said:

It’s a 2015 VW Polo TSI. Otherwise good condition. 35,000 miles and full service history.

I’m thinking £1-1,500 is more likely. But it’s hard to know.

Looks like it could be a car that would retail at £8k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141674081

So, £4k plus needing an engine build could be a realistic valuation.

I suppose a mechanic might buy it and rebuild the engine or buy a second hand one and fit it BUT that market must be limited so W B A C must be living in hope of moving that car on if they bought it at that price.

Nobbie1967

They are £8-10k on autotrader and there are plenty of 2nd hand engines on EBay for under £1k. With it’s low mileage and FSH it will make a great little earner for someone. Don’t bother with WBAC, give it a good clean and list it on EBay as a non runner with full details of the fault and someone will come and take it off your drive and give you a lot more than £1500 with minimal hassle. 

chrisw

WBAC is only one of the many car buying companies. Get quotes off a few to get an idea of its true value. Some of the companies will collect the car from your house.

GenieBoy

chrisw said:

WBAC is only one of the many car buying companies. Get quotes off a few to get an idea of its true value. Some of the companies will collect the car from your house.

This is true but not every other car buying company will buy ANY car. Least with WBAC they will take anything off your hands if you're trying to get shot of a car.