Scrap,sell or fix it?

anniehoo

I've had my 99 Civic for 4 years now and it's been a great car needing very little done to it (exhaust problem only). It's due it's NCT in two weeks time which I know will fail on the front right wing alone (see pic). I reversed and hit it off a lamp post

I went to Coolmine motors (D15) on Sat but they don't do body repairs and couldn't recommend anyone in the area.

I've gotten 4 good years out of it so my dilemma is whether it is worth trying to fix the wing (needs a service too) or if I sold it as is, what would I get if anything for it in this condition and no NCT. Or just cut my losses and scrap it totally. The car is an unusual pearlised mint green so would be difficult to match a spare unless I got it resprayed.

Any advice appreciated

Alanstrainor

If you got the indicator light to stay in I'd say it would pass.

And a replacement wing of a car from a scrappy would sort it out. Even if it's not the same colour.

Tails142

anniehoo wrote: »

I've had my 99 Civic for 4 years now and it's been a great car needing very little done to it (exhaust problem only). It's due it's NCT in two weeks time which I know will fail on the front right wing alone (see pic). I reversed and hit it off a lamp post

I went to Coolmine motors (D15) on Sat but they don't do body repairs and couldn't recommend anyone in the area.

I've gotten 4 good years out of it so my dilemma is whether it is worth trying to fix the wing (needs a service too) or if I sold it as is, what would I get if anything for it in this condition and no NCT. Or just cut my losses and scrap it totally. The car is an unusual pearlised mint green so would be difficult to match a spare unless I got it resprayed.

Any advice appreciated

Only an NCT fail if they decide there is a jagged part that might injure a pedestrian, can you do anything about the gap between the door and wing by trying to bend back yourself? Fix the indicator then and it shouldn't be a problem

Idbatterim

for body repair I could recommend Johnny from carcosmetix, you could simply replace the indicator, put it through the nct and see what happens... Either way, dont do any work or get it serviced etc until you have put it through the nct, expect for getting the indicator sorted...

Whats the point in paying for a service etc if the nct fail it on one item that could make a car of that value a write off?

better the devil you know IMO. if you buy another car even with a 3-4k budget, it will probably be at the age of needing a yearly nct...

Mar4ix

stick it in adverts with average price from donedeal, describe problems, and see what you will get it. i dont know what is price on donedeal of them, but certainly youll get more few hundreds than scrapyard, it depends of you willing spend time on internet, advertising and show car to people.

Regarding coolmine motors .... not the best garage in the world - mean price wise, dont really know quality of work, as their price always been putting me away, just once i had to bite the bullet, as car was dangerous to drive, and had replace one part asap.

Cee-Jay-Cee

A new wing from an autofactors isn't that expensive. I think they're around €80 and painting it wouldn't be too expensive either. It's a cheap enough fix. I wouldn't scrap it over that if evetything else is ok on the car.

anniehoo

Alanstrainor wrote: »

If you got the indicator light to stay in I'd say it would pass.

And a replacement wing of a car from a scrappy would sort it out. Even if it's not the same colour.

Tails142 wrote: »

Only an NCT fail if they decide there is a jagged part that might injure a pedestrian, can you do anything about the gap between the door and wing by trying to bend back yourself? Fix the indicator then and it shouldn't be a problem

Can anyone recommend a garage that does both a service and "bodywork" together in Dublin?

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

A new wing from an autofactors isn't that expensive. I think they're around €80 and painting it wouldn't be too expensive either. It's a cheap enough fix. I wouldn't scrap it over that if evetything else is ok on the car.

If i thought it would be only €80 I'd be delighted but not having a clue where to even start finding an autofactor first off is where I get stuck (car clueless here).

I'm willing to spend (including a service and any tyres needed plus this repair) no more than €400 but it's where to even go for all of it is what I need help with. If it's anymore then I'm probably just better off selling it (imo though).

Idbatterim

there is no point in getting any work done, until you have put it through the nct and find out where you stand...

Mar4ix

Also I would advice to get in bodywork shop, and ask repair that wing ( i think that damage is not too bad) without spray , i would say wing require to be taken off, straightening, and putting back . wont be perfect as it was before crash, but descent bodywork shop could do this nearly perfect without high costs. I think that rusty bit will be visible, but very little, if treated well.

Usually body work shops not doing mechanical work and vice verse . Get that wing done, and then do service in other garage. Pass NCT and keep driving, or sell, or whatever you decide.

Alanstrainor

Idbatterim wrote: »

there is no point in getting any work done, until you have put it through the nct and find out where you stand...

Indeed.

Get the side indicator to stay in place, use whatever you can to do so and put it through.

anniehoo

Cheers all, consensus seems to just put it through and see what the outcome is.

Will have a chat with Carcosmetix's in Sandyford in the meantime too.

Francie Barrett

anniehoo wrote: »

I'm willing to spend (including a service and any tyres needed plus this repair) no more than €400 but it's where to even go for all of it is what I need help with. If it's anymore then I'm probably just better off selling it (imo though).

To spend €400 or anything near it is nuts.

What's the mileage on this?

anniehoo

Francie Barrett wrote: »

To spend €400 or anything near it is nuts.

What's the mileage on this?

106km....which isn't bad for a 16 year old car I think. €250 ish for a couple of new tyres and a service is normal and then whatever to fix the wing. It seems such a shame to scrap it just on the wing as it's been a gem of a car so far.

It's needed very little work over the years as I said, so to get another year or so out of it would be more than worth it no?

Idbatterim

yeah of course, if you dont want to change, keep it going as long as it makes financial sense...

Chemical Byrne

How you want to approach the repair issue really depends depends? Are you car proud or do you just want an A to B runabout.

If you're in the latter category don't mind going to body shops or buying panels. Just get (or get a friend to get) a length of wood or a hammer or something and slip it up under the wheel arch and try to pop out the panel. You might be able to reduce the gap near the door similarly or just bate it straight(ish).

Pop in a new indicator or one from a scrap car and you should pass no problem.
NCT doesn't care about ugly dents, only jagged edges that could injure.

Father had a 00 mondeo at one time. Failed NCT as boot lid was binding due to a bent quarter panel from a fender bender. A few slaps of a lump hammer along the offending edge of the quarter panel and all was good NCT wise! lol

anniehoo

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

How you want to approach the repair issue really depends depends? Are you car proud or do you just want an A to B runabout.

Definitely not car proud but I'd nearly prefer to drive around with a dented wing than a wing of a different colour. My issue is where/how to fix it without spending mad money.

Chemical Byrne

anniehoo wrote: »

Definitely not car proud but I'd nearly prefer to drive around with a dented wing than a wing of a different colour. My issue is where/how to fix it without spending mad money.

As I said, don't "fix" it as such. Just try to pop it out with something long and get a light from a scrapped yoke. €10 is all you need spend.

Does the door open and close without catching on the bend wing? If it does just hammer the wing edge until the door will clear it.

Chemical Byrne

Is your indicator even broken? It looks to be just fallen out.
Even just glue it back into place with superglue would be just fine.

It's a 16 yr old car dude. I wouldnt be putting my hand in my pocket for anything other than petrol, oil changes, brake pads and tyres. You don't NEED to spend anything on it.

166man

Definitely fix it up! service and tyres are consumables so I wouldn't be worried about spending that. It shouldn't cost the earth to service it and good tyres should be reasonable enough.

Reckon I know a guy who.could probably get any Honda parts you need. Ring Money's Hyundai near the long mile road and ask for the parts department. They have a chap in there who is a whizkid with Honda parts.

Failing that a scrapyard may have one cheap enough.

Happy Driving and hopefully it passes the test.

Francie Barrett

anniehoo wrote: »

106km....which isn't bad for a 16 year old car I think. €250 ish for a couple of new tyres and a service is normal and then whatever to fix the wing. It seems such a shame to scrap it just on the wing as it's been a gem of a car so far.

It's needed very little work over the years as I said, so to get another year or so out of it would be more than worth it no?

That mileage is quite low, so I would be inclined to fix it.

I'd put the car through the NCT as is and explain to the tester on the day that you're just looking to know what needs done to it before you put money into it. If it's just the mirror, side light and dent, then you'd be able to get it sorted for cheap. Side light should just be a matter of gluing it on, put a second hand mirror on it (ignore the colour, get a 20 quid mirror from the scrapyard) and then have the dent popped out as best as it can be (it'll look like a dogs dinner, but it only has to be good enough). Give it an oil change (plus filters if needed) and some cheap tyres and you could be back on the road for €400 all in.

Does anyone know a good indie mechanic in Dublin who could do a job like that?

Idbatterim

yes, Pm for his number if anyone wants it, did the work for me for prices so cheap I wouldnt even waste my time doing it myself, and they were jobs I could have done myself... he is based just off longmile road...

Chemical Byrne

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Does anyone know a good indie mechanic in Dublin who could do a job like that?

OP doesn't need a mechanic for this, that would push up cost. Anyone who is any way good with their hands could easily handle this. Apart from tyres, it's only cosmetic bits n pieces that need rough n ready treatment to pass the test.

Do you know any young lad whos nifty with their hands who'd do it for €50-60 quid? Family or friend's?

goz83

OP. Glue the indicator in place.

Put through NCT. If everything else passes or there are no expensive things needed:

Get a wing from a scrap yard.

Go to GVD Autos in Walkinstown. IMO, they are the best value in Dublin. Get the wing sprayed and fitted. You're looking at under €200 if you do this.

9935452

anniehoo wrote: »

I've had my 99 Civic for 4 years now and it's been a great car needing very little done to it (exhaust problem only). It's due it's NCT in two weeks time which I know will fail on the front right wing alone (see pic). I reversed and hit it off a lamp post

I went to Coolmine motors (D15) on Sat but they don't do body repairs and couldn't recommend anyone in the area.

I've gotten 4 good years out of it so my dilemma is whether it is worth trying to fix the wing (needs a service too) or if I sold it as is, what would I get if anything for it in this condition and no NCT. Or just cut my losses and scrap it totally. The car is an unusual pearlised mint green so would be difficult to match a spare unless I got it resprayed.

Any advice appreciated

As you say below you are not too car proud. Most of that would pop out with a few wrinkles left.
Get it through the nct and reevaluate in a year when the next nct is due

anniehoo

Well the good news is with one little bump from a mechanic in behind the dent it popped the wing out enough to get the indicator back in (€20 from Gowan motors). The ridiculously bad news is....the rest of the car is fecked. Dropped it in for an oil and filter change yesterday (60 min service thing) and it needs a new wishbone, exhaust back box, rear bushes....am looking at a grand min to fix all the bits. :eek:

After all that....I'm not even putting it through the NCT and will be going for scrap unless someone wants to buy it for parts as is.

Toyotafanboi

a wishbone, back box and trailing arm bushes (i assume) shouldn't come to half that price tbh. i'd get a second opinion.

166man

I agree, second opinion for sure.


That kind of work should not send a car to the scrapyard.