Renault Clio failed NCT, should I sell or fix?

silvine

I've a Renault Clio 2002. Before Xmas I had to replace the alternator and put four new tires on the thing. that cost 400. I also spent 100 getting it ready for NCT.

Then it failed the NCT on:

Worn Track Rods
A broken coil spring
A noisy engine.

The mechanic reckons the noisy engine is due to a dodgy fan belt. He quoted the cost of repairs at around EUR500. He was a bit concerned that the new fan belt might not fix the noisy engine. Is it worth spending this kind of money on the car?

I'd get a new mechanic anyway, that lad seems a numpty, more so if he's the one who took €100 off you for NCT preparation.

RWD

silvine wrote: »

I've a Renault Clio 2002. Before Xmas I had to replace the alternator and put four new tires on the thing. that cost 400. I also spent 100 getting it ready for NCT.

Then it failed the NCT on:

Worn Track Rods
A broken coil spring
A noisy engine.

The mechanic reckons the noisy engine is due to a dodgy fan belt. He quoted the cost of repairs at around EUR500. He was a bit concerned that the new fan belt might not fix the noisy engine. Is it worth spending this kind of money on the car?

As RoverJames said i'd move away from the mechanic,don't nct the car,try and get your money back for it.

blade1

Lets see,
The parts needed cost about 100 to 150.
So 350 to 400 for labour is way too much IMO.
Source the parts yourself online.
400 is nearly a weeks wages for a lot of people.
I think 150 would be enough for labour.
Now, is it worth fixing you ask?
Depends,you could buy another car and 3 months down the line it may need the same jobs done.
These are mainly wear and tear item, they go in all cars eventually.
At least you know you have nice shiney new ones in your car.

Celly Smunt

Tbh i'd be happy that the NCT came back with that,they're just maintenance parts as opposed to actual breakages.Considering it only failed on that i'd be inclined to say you have an ok car there once you get those repairs done.As another poster said,they're parts that go on all cars.

silvine

I prepared it for the NCT with a different mechanic to the one who looked at it recently. The second mechanic was concerned it still might have a noisy engine after he replaced the fan belt.

I'm just conscious of spending more money on the car that it's actually with. It's 70000 miles on it.

Toyotafanboi

what "mechanic" can't hazard a good estimation at a noisy engine?

slimjimmc

silvine wrote: »

I prepared it for the NCT with a different mechanic to the one who looked at it recently. The second mechanic was concerned it still might have a noisy engine after he replaced the fan belt.

I'm just conscious of spending more money on the car that it's actually with. It's 70000 miles on it.

70,000 miles is not a lot on an engine but it's about the recommended life of the timing belt so I'd seriously check if that needs replacing too. Rubber deteriorates over time and imo 11 years is a long long time for such a critical belt. Something to consider.