Salvaging An Unused Car?

Fish Bloke

I'm not really a car person, but I have a question about saving an abandoned car. My sister stopped driving a few years ago because she was going to college and couldn't afford to keep her car on the road. Since then, her car has been sitting in the driveway untouched.

I'm wondering if it's possible to save a car that's been sitting like that for so long. It's a 2000 Renault Megane, and was in great condition, NCT'd & no issues, up until she was forced to stop using it. Obviously the battery is dead. One of the tyres is flat. I'm assuming there's been a fair amount of rusting over the few years too.

Is it ever possible to save a car from this kind of situation, or would it be easier & cheaper to just scrap the car and buy a new one? As I said, I'm not really a car person, so I've no way of knowing the ins and outs of this kind of situation! Any ideas would be great!

Merch

depends, how long ago was it that it wasnt being used regularily? few years like 2? more?
Its possible that it may be fine even if sitting up, but depends if it really was running fine or had some underlying issues that might crop up now that it has been sitting idle for a while. The cost to get it going again, if it needed brakes checked/done, service,tyre/s,battery might seem too much.
Visible rust? or assuming its rusting.
it is possible it might be cheap enough to get up and running, be better if you knew few things and could check/do the stuff yourself but if you're not familiar with that kinda thing then you're gonna have to pay.
few quid might get it going and great for years or could just be throwing money at it.

i assume you have to get it NCT's again.
I have to say, in my opinion, one thing to stave off problems is keep something running, even if only turning it over every few weeks, but that seems like it was not in your control.

Fish Bloke

No, unforunately it wasn't in my control, I'm living away from home and I didn't realise up until recently that the car had been left sitting there like that. It's been there for about 2 years. I just saw it on a visit home and she said I could take it if I had it repaired.

There's no serious rust visible on the top of the car, it's just a bit grimy. I haven't had a look at the underside, but I might take a few pictures of parts of it and post them up here if anyone wants to share an opinion.

I'd imagine it'll need a full service at the very least. And the NTC of course. I'd probably be paying for one or both of those if I bought a new car anyway, so I thought it was worth seeing if it's viable.

Merch

You might want to wait for more expert opinion than mine, not sure
how the megane I was, didnt really hear of it having problems as people seemed to be giving out about the megane II?
maybe let people know the engine size, someone might get back to you, but id say its kind of hard to tell and give an opinion really.

Fish Bloke

It's a 2000 Megane Classic RT Saloon 1.4L Petrol.

I'm just looking for ideas really. I'm just wondering if it's done, or if most people would just scrap a car in the same situation. I don't know if a mechanic would want to even bother looking at it for me!

Nissan doctor

There is no reason why there would be any more rust under the car from it being parked then if it had been driving, in fact, there could be less as it hasn't been out in the bad weather/salty roads.

The main issues with a car sitting up are perished tyres and seized brakes, especially if it was parked with the handbrake on.

Obviously it would need a service too but if the car was in good condition and only needed brakes and tyres to get it up and running then IMO it would be worth taking it as the MK1 meganes were a decent car.

dhog4n

it is essentially a free car, so I would check all the fluids and hook up a borrowed battery or jump leads to another car and see if I could get it started. If it starts resonably easily and runs normally then it is probably fine.

Don't start it without checking the coolant level in particular - there have been two big freezes in the last two years which could have done for the radiator (or worse) if the coolant mix was too weak.

The brakes will probably be bound to the discs/ drums. Freeing them is quite brutal if it is done by rocking the vehicle under power. No real harm done if they come free under gentle power but I have left brake linings on the drums before now using this method. It is better to take them apart to the point where you can pry them off the discs or knock them free with a hammer. There is still a risk of damage but it is much reduced. If you can use a spanner and a hammer then you have the skills to get this far on your own with the help of a haynes manual.

Then use the nct to test for any other faults and you potentially have a roadworthy car for the price of an nct test.

Hal1

If your thinking of starting her up, check the oil level and contition of oil first. I would change the oil and filter before starting a car lying that long myself. It could be a nice project to get yourself motoring.

Mar4ix

give it away for free... (adverts.ie or somewhere else) , there would be many who would take, just make sure sister sign and post logbook.

dharn

why give it away for free put it on donedeal cost you 3 euro give full story and see what happens

Mar4ix

dharn wrote: »

why give it away for free put it on donedeal cost you 3 euro give full story and see what happens

then put on ebay, with no reserve.

no1beemerfan

I doubt there would be much wrong with the car. It's simple stuff really that needs doing I'd say....especially if the car was fine when your sister stopped driving it. Don't listen to the scaremongers....just get someone that knows what they are doing to have a look at it.

BTW where are you? If you weren't too far from me I'd offer to have a look

Mar4ix

yea, if you around Blanch, i could have look and do some work, if you want... for small fee.