Scrappage Scam Extended

I have a 12 year old MPV (Automatic) with about 86k on the clock. I believe that Glass' Guide values it at less than £1,000. I have just got estimates from my local authorised dealer for some work that is deemed important at the next service (replace front disks & pads; drain, flush & replace brake fluid; drain, flush & replace coolant; purge & regas a/c; change cam belt; replace exhaust system parts) - their estimate was between £1,200 & £1,400 and that doesn't include anything else that they may consider important at the next service or tyres which are probably due for replacement any time now.

As it happens, there is absolutely no way that I would scrap this car because I love it and so far it has been uber reliable, is very relaxing to drive and I now only use it for long trips; however, I certainly don't relish the prospect of my next service costing some £1,500 for a car that is worth substantially less than that :(
 
stockhausen said:
I have a 12 year old MPV (Automatic) with about 86k on the clock. I believe that Glass' Guide values it at less than £1,000. I have just got estimates from my local authorised dealer for some work that is deemed important at the next service (replace front disks & pads; drain, flush & replace brake fluid; drain, flush & replace coolant; purge & regas a/c; change cam belt; replace exhaust system parts) - their estimate was between £1,200 & £1,400 and that doesn't include anything else that they may consider important at the next service or tyres which are probably due for replacement any time now.

As it happens, there is absolutely no way that I would scrap this car because I love it and so far it has been uber reliable, is very relaxing to drive and I now only use it for long trips; however, I certainly don't relish the prospect of my next service costing some £1,500 for a car that is worth substantially less than that :(
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Why would you go to a dealer with a 12 year old car?
 
stockhausen said:
I have a 12 year old MPV (Automatic) with about 86k on the clock. I believe that Glass' Guide values it at less than £1,000. I have just got estimates from my local authorised dealer for some work that is deemed important at the next service (replace front disks & pads; drain, flush & replace brake fluid; drain, flush & replace coolant; purge & regas a/c; change cam belt; replace exhaust system parts) - their estimate was between £1,200 & £1,400 and that doesn't include anything else that they may consider important at the next service or tyres which are probably due for replacement any time now.

As it happens, there is absolutely no way that I would scrap this car because I love it and so far it has been uber reliable, is very relaxing to drive and I now only use it for long trips; however, I certainly don't relish the prospect of my next service costing some £1,500 for a car that is worth substantially less than that :(
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If you don't want to spend money on it, don't. Even if you do, don't go to VW as you could probably get that work done for half the price at a regular garage.

Banger ownership 101: don't pay more than the car is worth for a cambelt change, do brakes when they are crap and not before, and spend money on exhaust only when it fails a mot.
 
Janesy B said:
Can't afford £1000 to fix a car, spend £12,000 on replacement car. It makes so much sense!

If he went to a good local garage, the work would be nearly half that anyway.
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He doesn't need to spend anything like £12000 on a new car does he? He also didn't say he couldn't afford to spend the amount necessary to repair it, just that he'd rather not.

Perhaps put your glasses on next time?
 
The Mad Rapper said:
He doesn't need to spend anything like £12000 on a new car does he? He also didn't say he couldn't afford to spend the amount necessary to repair it, just that he'd rather not.

Perhaps put your glasses on next time?
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He has an Auto MPV, I'd actually expect to be paying more for something suitable. Buying a new car when a main dealer throws a big bill at you is not the answer.
 
Janesy B said:
He has an Auto MPV, I'd actually expect to be paying more for something suitable. Buying a new car when a main dealer throws a big bill at you is not the answer.
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I was just making a suggestion, which, with respect, is as valid as yours. The chap has made no claims about his finances or otherwise, so only he knows whether buying a new car is an affordable option for him. For a car of that age, the scrappage scheme represents a good opportunity to have some hassle free motoring.

I haven't said it's the answer, but it is an answer. N'est pas?
 
Robbie G said:
You're happy to drive round in that, fine. Thousands wouldn't turn up to work or the golf club in something like that if they could help it, and I'm one of them.
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I'd actually rather turn up at work or the golf club in an old banger like that '95 golf, at least it would be easy to find your car amongst the sea of silver! :p ;)
 
Depends on your definition of crap brakes, and whether the driver is able to tell what crap brakes feel like.

Probably no point bleeding the brakes unless they actually feel a little spongy, but most people don't notice because it happens so gradually.

Certainly for discs and pads, replace when worn, not because they've now done 20,000 miles. Most service schedules state "inspect" for things like discs and pads.
 
lambda said:
Why would you go to a dealer with a 12 year old car?
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I wouldn't, the only thing that I am likely to get done at the authorised dealer is the cam belt replacement. Pretty much everything else I will get done at a local garage or a specialist (e.g. brakes and exhaust).

As I said, there is absolutely no way that I would scrap this car. The point I was trying to make is that maintaining even a 12 year old car can work out to be very expensive if you are not able / willing to shop around for service. The local papers are full of people who will work on your car; I have no doubt that some of them are very, very competent; equally I have no doubt that some of them shouldn't be allowed to service a pencil sharpener; the problem is choosing between them.

If you don't have a particular reason to retain an old car, it has little resale value, cost a fortune to maintain and you happen to need a car, I can quite see why people would go for the scrappage scheme - as I have already done on a different, even older car - the fact that my taxes are being used to subsidise it was an added bonus :)
 
stockhausen said:
I wouldn't, the only thing that I am likely to get done at the authorised dealer is the cam belt replacement. Pretty much everything else I will get done at a local garage or a specialist (e.g. brakes and exhaust).
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Why on earth would you get the cam belt done at a main dealer? The car is out of warranty and although the cambelt can be a bit of a PITA (especially if you're in a Previa or something like that) the bulk of the cost of the job is the labour, something that main dealers charge extortionate rates for.

It's really not that hard to do and your local garage or specialist will be able to do it just fine. I've got a mate coming around this evening to change my cambelt on the driveway FFS. Will be the third time he's done mine for me, never had any problems.
 
Hatter The Mad said:
Would there be anything to stop me from scrapping my car for a friend, then selling the new car on to him (less the £2k / fees)?
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This is kind of what we had to do for my mum, because the car to be scrapped was in my name, the new car had to be too, so was first registered to me, then as soon as the log book came through, changed it over to her. Which is a rule that surprised me a bit tbh, while there is a length of time you have to have owned the car to be scrapped etc, there's no length of time stipulated that you have to keep the new car, so you're free to do as you've said, scrap your car for a friend and then just pass/sell it on to him etc.
 
Saw an immaculate, fully loaded, 520i manual (E34) in blue with white leather scrapped, only 80k miles on it. Very disappointing.

Later M50 one too, not the old M20.
 
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Lashout_UK said:
Saw an immaculate, fully loaded, 520i manual (E34) in blue with white leather scrapped, only 80k miles on it. Very disappointing.

Later M50 one too, not the old M20.
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Why is that disappointing? Your attitude is over-sentimental. Old cars won't be around for ever, even if they do have a Bavarian flag / propeller on the front of them.
 
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