URGENT advice needed!

Robi · 8 Feb 2016 at 11:49

The new engine route seems the most sensible option. It will eliminate the worry of potentially discovering new issues after replacing the head gasket. This is also cheaper than scrapping the car and buying a £2k banger which I don't know the history of.

I know this question is unanswerable, but what are the chances of buying a reconditioned engine with 90 days warranty, then 3 months down the line it blows up?

It seems like the most sensible options are therefore:

1. Buy a new engine and fix the car, costing no more than £1.5k

2. Scrap the car for £300, take out a bank loan, buy something 3 years old and then sell when I come round to buying a house? More costly, but newer car with less risk.

Robi · 8 Feb 2016 at 11:56

Just an idea, I was towed by the AA and I have the Breakdown Repair Cover option, which I bought after it received glowing reviews on OcUK. Would they part cover (up to the limit of £500 less the excess) something like this?

Gaygle · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:12

May do. Check your policy wording.

What were the circumstances of the breakdown? Did the engine overheat?

Robi · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:17

Yes, I think so. Coolant/oil leak. Warning light popped up, tried to pull off at the next junction, car lost power and cut out. Wouldn't start again. AA came and towed me to my local garage.

[TW]Fox · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:22

Robi said:
Garage said I'm looking about £800 in labour + the engine. So about £1.2k all in giving any fluctuations.

Is that not still a daft amount of money to throw into a car that's old and only worth £2k?

It's not worth £2k broken and it's worth more than £2k fixed.

So no, not that daft.

[TW]Fox · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:22

Robi said:
Just an idea, I was towed by the AA and I have the Breakdown Repair Cover option, which I bought after it received glowing reviews on OcUK. Would they part cover (up to the limit of £500 less the excess) something like this?

Yes, that is exactly what it is for!

Robi · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:30

[TW]Fox;29150474 said:
Yes, that is exactly what it is for!

Good stuff, the garage and the AA are now speaking. Hopefully something good comes out of it.

[TW]Fox · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:35

Robi said:
Good stuff, the garage and the AA are now speaking. Hopefully something good comes out of it.

I used to have this on my other car and I never once had a claim rejected. It was a very good policy.

skaif · 8 Feb 2016 at 12:41

Robi said:
Yes, I think so. Coolant/oil leak. Warning light popped up, tried to pull off at the next junction, car lost power and cut out. Wouldn't start again. AA came and towed me to my local garage.

This happened to my old 1.7 Astra on the motorway!

Turned out the engine blew and I was left in a very similar situation to you...ended up getting a new engine and clutch in for around £2k back then (around 3 years ago) so was a hard pill to swallow on a car that was worth about that back then!

Still, it lasted me well until I sold it over 18months later

Gaygle · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:07

[TW]Fox;29150538 said:
I used to have this on my other car and I never once had a claim rejected. It was a very good policy.

Yeah, just read the policy documents, seems fairly comprehensive really and it's good to hear they don't dispute every detail about every claim like some warranty companies do. Might have to look at this next time I take out breakdown cover. Is it expensive to add on?

EDIT: Just looked, and if you go through quidco and get £80 cashback, it works out that the cover for two people, plus breakdown repair cover is only £72. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Howard · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:14

I'd never thought have taking out the repair cover with AA breakdown tbh, but it sounds quite good thinking about it.

Can you choose where the repairs are done?

The_Abyss · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:17

Just buy the house immediately and get rid of the car

CyZMyAssBaby · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:20

Howard said:
I'd never thought have taking out the repair cover with AA breakdown tbh, but it sounds quite good thinking about it.

Can you choose where the repairs are done?

The AA have a list of approved garages for repair which include warranty of any repair work. A telephone call to them for further information my be helpful Howard.

When I took this policy out (running it with AA cover) I was advised I could choose where the repair was done.

Gaygle · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:41

Howard said:
I'd never thought have taking out the repair cover with AA breakdown tbh, but it sounds quite good thinking about it.

Can you choose where the repairs are done?

Yep, I think they say that you can take it to *any* garage, but they have AA approved garages which they'd prefer you take it to. There are a few simple conditions which are:

- You must have suffered a breakdown and not be able to continue your journey as a result. It can't be wear or tear related either.

- You must call AA out to the breakdown.

- If the roadside mechanic can't get you going, you must take your car immediately to a garage for repair (or the AA can on their lorry).

- The garage must charge no more than £85ph ex VAT (ie. no main dealers)

- You must pay the first £35 of each claim

Howard · 8 Feb 2016 at 13:49

Thanks - worth considering then!

Gaygle · 8 Feb 2016 at 14:08

Howard said:
Thanks - worth considering then!

Yeah, the "What's covered" and "What's not" sections are reasonable unlike most warranty companies where they state that their comprehensive warranty covers the entire car, except for all pumps, valves, wiring, bearings, hoses, fluids, pistons, engine blocks, radiators, sensors or any other lubricated part or any part that fails on the car that is made from metal, plastic, paper or rubber or is within 1 metre of any part which contains one of these materials.