MOT Disaster

Connor

Connor

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jan 10, 2015
Points
92
Location
Sheffield
Model of Z
3.0 Z5
Hi forum.

Basically, sent the car to my MOT guy this morning to have a brake issue sorting and to MOT the car.
Long story short the car failed badly and needs about £800 worth of work doing to the braking and suspension systems, running gear is all good thankfully.
I purchased the 1.9 for £1000 so would be looking at being £1800 in.
How much of this would I get back come to selling time?
Also what are my options?
I'm just really annoyed because I was planning on getting a 2.8 in the near future and now feel like i'd have to keep the car should I choose to fix it.

Help,

Unhappy Connor.
 
O my goodness poor you @Connor :(
Bet you weren't expecting that :)
It's a shock to me as every Z were had has sailed through the MOT :)
Hope you get it fixed soon :)
 
Connor said:
Hi forum.

Basically, sent the car to my MOT guy this morning to have a brake issue sorting and to MOT the car.
Long story short the car failed badly and needs about £800 worth of work doing to the braking and suspension systems, running gear is all good thankfully.
I purchased the 1.9 for £1000 so would be looking at being £1800 in.
How much of this would I get back come to selling time?
Also what are my options?
I'm just really annoyed because I was planning on getting a 2.8 in the near future and now feel like i'd have to keep the car should I choose to fix it.

Help,

Unhappy Connor.
Click to expand...
I don't know what to say. You're between a rock and a hard spot. I guess it all depends on what you can get for the car after its fixed. If you can recoup your repair expenditures, its worth it because the value of the car is less that what you paid if the repairs are not done. So if the value of the car once its fixed is there, you'd be getting back your repair money and any lost value without the repairs. Selling it soon might be easier at this time of year than any other as people are out looking for a nice convertible. It might be more worth it than any other option, even if you have to borrow the money to get it done and recoup it after the sale. I'm in the same boat as I must sell my 1.9 since I bought the 3.2 ///M. I have the ///M sitting in the driveway with a cover because I can't afford the insurance on both cars at the same time. It all hinges on what you can get for the car once its fixed. Good luck........... Frankie
 
I don't know what to say. You're between a rock and a hard spot. I guess it all depends on what you can get for the car after its fixed. If you can recoup your repair expenditures, its worth it because the value of the car is less that what you paid if the repairs are not done. So if the value of the car once its fixed is there, you'd be getting back your repair money and any lost value without the repairs. Selling it soon might be easier at this time of year that any other as people are out looking for a nice convertible. It might be more worth it that any other option, even if you have to borrow the money to get it done and recoup it after the sale. I'm in the same boat as I must sell my 1.9 since I bought the 3.2 ///M. I have the ///M sitting in the driveway with a cover because I can't afford the insurance on both cars at the same time. It all hinges on what you can get for the car once its fixed. Good luck........... Frankie
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly @FRANKIE. Im hoping with a bit of a polish and a couple of smaller issues sorting out I could be looking at getting some back, maybe £1500 or so, but I am unsure. The car does have service history, low mileage and the interior is near mint.

The problem is that it is so unexpected!

Connor.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Connor, can you post a list of what actually needs doing. Do you have any mechanical skills as brakes (and depending on what suspension work) is pretty straight forward.

I'm guessing most of that £800 is labour charge...
 
Sorry but, what is a MOT? Repair shop, inspection location, back yard shade tree mechanic?
 
Also, where are you located Connor? There'll be someone not far away from you you could and most likely would help out. Just show us what needs doing. A screen shot of the failure sheet would be ideal.

Tony.
 
It's a lot of routine things all added up into the same bill.
He's only charging me £200 labour.
It's parts that are costly.
I don't use the car too much at the minute as I've been really busy with uni work.
The list goes like:

- 4 x brake discs & pads £180 ish
- 1 x brake caliper £50-70?
- 2 x front suspension arms £140
- 2 x bushes for suspensions arms £80?
- 1 x shock absorber £60 ish
Also the MOT charge and labour of £200

Not ideal when you're a student. But I've decided to let him go ahead with the repairs and hopefully recoup some of the cost back when it comes to selling. I'm hoping the low ish mileage favours the car when it comes to selling.

Connor.
 
If the car bodywork and roof are good, alloys are good and, interior mint, as you say, Connor, then spend the money and get it through the MOT. I suspect the engine speaks for itself. You should get at least £2k on re-sale, all ship-shape - maybe more! Just the right time over here for selling!

Good luck!
 
I hope you are right David! I do love the Z3 though and one the work is done it'll only be better. If I could get £1500 for it I would be happy!

Connor.
 
Connor said:
It's a lot of routine things all added up into the same bill.
He's only charging me £200 labour.
It's parts that are costly.
I don't use the car too much at the minute as I've been really busy with uni work.
The list goes like:

- 4 x brake discs & pads £180 ish
- 1 x brake caliper £50-70?
- 2 x front suspension arms £140
- 2 x bushes for suspensions arms £80?
- 1 x shock absorber £60 ish
Also the MOT charge and labour of £200

Not ideal when you're a student. But I've decided to let him go ahead with the repairs and hopefully recoup some of the cost back when it comes to selling. I'm hoping the low ish mileage favours the car when it comes to selling.

Connor.
Click to expand...

If you are going to sell you could get £2000 for it with full MOT if everything else is in good condition. I'd put it for sale at £2200 and haggle.
If there are no advisories on the MOT after the repairs, all the better.

If I were you though, I'd keep it another year.

Enjoy your Zed
.
 
Jack Ratt said:
If you are going to sell you could get £2000 for it with full MOT if everything else is in good condition. I'd put it for sale at £2200 and haggle.
If there are no advisories on the MOT after the repairs, all the better.

If I were you though, I'd keep it another year.

Enjoy your Zed
.
Click to expand...

Or would you sell and buy a 2.8?

Connor.
 
Connor said:
Or would you sell and buy a 2.8?

Connor.
Click to expand...

Only you can answer that. What if you buy a 2.8 that needs £800 spending on it? If you can afford it, then upgrade to a 2.8 but I would enjoy what you have in the knowledge that it's as good as it's ever going to be.
You should still get £2k for it next year as long as you look after it. If you only paid £1k for it you got a bargain anyway.
Don't be too disappointed, you did ok
 
I know how you feel, mine went in for its 1st MOT under my ownership last Saturday and with baited breath. Happy it passed but with a few advisory's, brake lines and shocks. Brake lines being upgraded to braided lines in a couple of weeks , shocks will be done over the winter SORN period. Sorry to have say but the joys of owning an 15 yr old car!!

As @FRANKIE stated - "stuck between a rock and a hard spot" and as you say being a student doesn't help, I would have to take @Jack Ratt advice get the works done on the 1.9 and get it up together and enjoy it at least you know its a well tidy car, moving it on now and getting a larger 2.8 would have to be more expense?, with these items done it will be a real USP for any prospective buyer next spring.
Summers coming enjoy it:)
 
Get it done, run it till this time next year. Re-mot hopefully at little cost and treat yourself to a 2.8 next year. jmho! :mad::)
 
Connor said:
:beer:thumbsup: I think that's what I'll do. Enjoy the 1.9 and save up and get a mint 2.8 next summer.

Connor.
Click to expand...
Another possibility is to ask a relatively high price for it now. If someone bites, then sell it and buy the 2.8 after the springtime feeding frenzy, perhaps mid summer, or late summer. Then you could pick and choose your 2.8 from owners who don't want to hold on to their cars over the winter and are more anxious to sell. You might have to lose 2 months not having a car but you'll have sold yours at a good price and bought what you wanted at a buyer's market and have the end of the summer and all the fall to enjoy your new toy. Frankie
 
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