Keeping an old car

Gam2015

So i have owned my car 10 years in July it is an 08 plate. I have just paid £330 to get it through the MOT this month is it time to move it on or keep it? It drives fine tbh and just used for work and back currently worth about 2/3k. 

Stubod

If it still fit for purpose and you know it's history then from a financial point of you it would be better to keep it. Although it would be useful to understand the reason for the MOT costs. ie if it's welding that may fail again in the near future, or replacing consumables like brake discs / pads??

Mildly_Miffed

What were the fails?

Generally, MOT fails are a big hint that your maintenance isn't up to scratch. Maintenance is what makes cars last reliably.

Fails are things that say the car shouldn't be on the road in the condition you were driving it around in, because it's not up to the minimum standard required.

They're almost always things that should have been picked up while it was being serviced - or, for lights/tyres, during your own regular routine checks.

fatbelly

Better the devil you know.

Generally speaking

HillStreetBlues

As above, far more details needed.
Could be a rust bucket that has just squeezed though MOT, or in A1 condition that needed normal wear & tear items replaced.

Gam2015

HillStreetBlues said:

As above, far more details needed.
Could be a rust bucket that has just squeezed though MOT, or in A1 condition that needed normal wear & tear items replaced.

Hi it needed 2 new rear springs (1 was broken) 2 new rear shockers (both leaking) and a front bottom arm. 

pseudodox

I have had my 02 plate car from new.  Passed MOT with flying colours more years than not - last 3 years a clean sheet.  Fails have usually been light bulbs, wipers, tyres, brake shoes - all regular wear & tear on any car.  A couple of bigger issues included a cracked spring.  In 21 years I have had one replacement battery, first new exhaust 2 years ago plus bodywork repairs following being hit by another vehicle.  No rust issues.  I go to the same garage every year & they will advise me when it becomes uneconomical compared to buying a new car.

Including initial purchase, all costs including petrol I have had 21 years & 85,000 miles of almost trouble free motoring for £36,000.  It is worth peanuts of course.  My late father's car is still on the road at 52 years old, now a Classic Morris Minor in the hands of a friend.

It depends what you want from a car - trusted reliability of the devil you know (with acceptance there will be costs for age related issues), a status symbol, a pain in your pocket for a brand new replacement or a used "devil you don't know" risk.  If you only do low mileage I would advocate keep on keeping.  It could get written off in an accident tomorrow.  Low risk of being stolen.  I just make sure I have some funds tucked away for an urgent replacement, but meanwhile earn interest on the nest egg rather than lose on depreciation.

anderson18

I am in the same dilemma. The exhaust has dropped, for a replacement to be imported it would be £3,500, more than the car is worth, so I am having a new one fabricated. Getting replacement parts is becoming more and more problematic. However looking to change the car, most of the cars I reviewed were no longer manufactured and as parts should be available throughout production of a model and “for a reasonable period thereafter" I have concerns I would be in the same predicament should I change cars, unless I buy nearly new. Even then electronic parts where in short supply during the pandemic. I am sticking with my 10 year old car, better the devil.....
I'll save the carbon footprint required in the fabrication of another car.

pseudodox

The garage guys like working on my old car.  Lots of old fashioned proper mechanics to tweak, rather than hooked up to computer diagnostics.  

uknick

anderson18 said:

I am in the same dilemma. The exhaust has dropped, for a replacement to be imported it would be £3,500, more than the car is worth, so I am having a new one fabricated. Getting replacement parts is becoming more and more problematic. However looking to change the car, most of the cars I reviewed were no longer manufactured and as parts should be available throughout production of a model and “for a reasonable period thereafter" I have concerns I would be in the same predicament should I change cars, unless I buy nearly new. Even then electronic parts where in short supply during the pandemic. I am sticking with my 10 year old car, better the devil.....
I'll save the carbon footprint required in the fabrication of another car.

What car is that for?  I'm thinking something exotic or a low production car.

amanda1024

I’d probably keep it, at least until something more expensive goes wrong with it - get your money’s worth from your £330…