Failed NCT - options

mumblindeafro

Hi,

I have a 1987 Saab 900 turbo. Have had it for about 4 years and it's great mechanically etc but now it needs about €800 to get through the NCT retest (needs 2 new doors and some bodywork). The timing is terrible for me as I just don't have the money at the moment. I have spent about €3k-€4k over the past few years and it's great to drive etc but I have to be realistic about running the car given my family circumstances (young kids) and the fact that i don't really drive it enough to justify the expense.

I think my options are:

- sell it - probably hard to shift in this economic climate
- have it declared off the road - they were clamping down on this so maybe that's not an option

Any other thoughts on what i could do?

Many thanks

Pdfile

huge cult following for these... advertise in the north and england

learn their going rates then price it more towards the fixers upers section... who knows... mike brewer might give you a call ?

but nah, just dont break it for parts it sounds more then fixable.

theirs an irish saab club also so maybe they'll have a member to take it off you ( providing you have the fail sheet handy and can list exactly what it needs... )

either way should it get into safe hands when you get into finacially better times you can buy her back ? :cool:

mumblindeafro

Thanks - I care about the car too much to sell it for parts. It's actually a great and super quick car that I had sunk money into with the intention of keeping it for many, may years to come.

I have a fail sheet for the NCT and a quote for the work from a 900 specialist who has looked after it since I bought it, so maybe that would reassure a buyer - thanks for mentioning that.

hi5

You can declare it 'off road' without any penalties. But even when it gets to 30 years old you will still have to NCT it.
But look at this way, you then have five years to restore it .

Xlaxeo

How do you go about declaring a car "off the road"?

hi5

Xlaxeo wrote: »

How do you go about declaring a car "off the road"?

You do it retrospectivly when you want to put it back on the road again, otherwise you have to pay the back tax, form rf100, I think.

Bigus

New doors seems a bit extreme ,can they not be patched with new sheet metal , fairly standard to do on old yokes. ,primer finish will do for NCT too .
Can you post up NCT sheet ?

ahal

Hi,

I find it a bit odd that the car has failed on such major items if it was only tested a year ago? I have a 1990 9000 Carlsson and I'd swear it never saw a carwash in it's (mostly U.K.) life. Despite this, the only thing needing replacing was a passenger door, and that was only because it'd got a ding once and was badly filled, allowing rust.

If you go on flickr and search 'scrawb' you'll find the guy in Suncroft, Kildare, who has thousands of cars. He has a few 900's, and he's decent enough to deal with.

The Irish saab club bit the dust some time back. I've a saab section of my own forum (www.ivc.ie) but it isn't up to much, namely because I've not promoted that side of things and I'm lazy :pac:

Don't part it out ... far too interesting a car ... though I appreciate the dilemma you've got.

shawnee

It's probably not the most practical car today with young kids etc. If you have a place to store it then do so and get something else. If not let it go to someone who will and at another time when in a better position you can still buy another one. Don't be controlled by a car... there will always be plenty around if you have the dough

bjak

Hi mumblindeafro

I´m struggling to understand how it needs bodywork, particularly doors to pass the NCT. Is there a hole with a jagged edge in them or something? Any chance of a picture and NCT sheet?

If its only the doors and you can get a replacement in the same colour, you should get away with much less than €800. If it comes to it, patch welded repairs, filler and spray can paint would cover it. Its probably the professional standard paint finish thats most of the cost quoted.

Would be a real pity to take such a robust car off the road if it can be saved.

Best of luck

BJAK