Situation - Help Please

mOdO

mOdO

mOdO

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Joined
13 Jun 2007
Posts
1,210
Location
London
Hi,

Yesterday, our family car (20 year old ford ghia:p) went in for service. It wasn't good news as it needs welding costing £300-£400 to pass its MOT due in 3 weeks.

The car was handed down from my grandfather who bought it brand new. Hence why the family wants to keep the car. We could just get rid of it but I personally use the car for socialising and sometimes travelling to uni when I'm lazy...

Now I need your advice, would you spend the £400 to get it fix and use it for 9months max.

OR

Spend £3000-£4000 on a 2nd hand motor. If so, where would you look to buy? We have no experience on buying cars apart from autotrader, local garage etc.


Thanks.
 
What reg is 20 year old i am to messed up to work it out :o

Anyway, Get a 2nd/3rd quote for the welding, get it down to 200 quid to pass the MOT then keep it just for posterity & the fact it's a 1 owner family motor. In 20 years you'll Love that motor & all the memorys it will bring back for you.
 
malc30 said:
What reg is 20 year old i am to messed up to work it out :o

Anyway, Get a 2nd/3rd quote for the welding, get it down to 200 quid to pass the MOT then keep it just for posterity & the fact it's a 1 owner family motor. In 20 years you'll Love that motor & all the memorys it will bring back for you.
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Its a D reg. Yes the memories, however we have had bad memories, including being stranded as the engine failed. Ok i'll look into the quotes.
 
Yeh I think buying a motor is the better route, its just finding one....the family wants a 5 door, 1.4-1.6 and so far they like focus and golf...is it within the budget? what do you guys think?
 
mOdO said:
Thats the thing, we dont have a clue! However, this time as we have a little savings I've decided to ask on here for advice as you lot know a lot more than me!!
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My mum phoned me in a panic because she'd been told her car needed welding to one of the sills to pass to the MOT. She was expecting it to be a writeoff. I found someone to do it for £25. It passed the re-test just fine.

Obviously your situation might be a bit more serious but I think £400 is taking the cake unless they're going to build you a new car in the process :p.

Mechanics want to make the living the same as everyone else. They'll charge whatever they can get away with. All you need to do is find a mechanic who needs the work more than the rest of them.
 
Many garages hate doing grotty MOT welding and quote a ridiculous figure to put you off having it done. It's tedious work and most garages can do without it.

Find a man with a Mig and whatever needs doing can probably be done for half that at the most.
 
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