Vehicle health check

Brion

I've the NCT coming up soon and had a check carried out recently (by the main dealer) on my 16 year old car (low mileage, about 75k) and I was hit with a 3.5k quote for their recommended repairs. Obviously not going to pay that on a car that cost 1/4 of that amount. Am I wasting my time bringing it to the test centre? There are things that will obviously fail me, most noticeably two new tyres as they're below 1.6mm. Biggest quote is for the suspension (l/h/f drop link worn needs replacing and rear axle bushing worn both sides need replacing). This is 1.3k alone.

Other pricey repairs include water pump leaking (oil leak from engine) and timing belt due 80k miles.

Obviously want the car to be roadworthy but can some of these quotes be taking the piss at times? Car has been driving fine (passed the NCT last year no problem) and I haven't spotted anything unusual with it (though you could argue that if I didn't change the tyres at this point then maybe I am missing something).

Dubwat

By your own admission, your 16yr old car is worth approx €900. A timing belt/water pump will probably cost you at least €400-500 in an indie garage. If an indie garage did the suspension at half the price of the main dealer, that's still €750. Two 'new' pre-worn tyres ~€50. That's €1,200-1,300 just on the three items you mentioned.

I'd buy a new(er) car (for €1,200?) with a current NCT.

Brion

LIGHTNING wrote: »

LOL! 1.3k for replacing some drop links and bushings, are you driving a 18 wheeler or something! Put the car through the NCT and see what happens. And I would avoid where ever you got that quote from

Sorry, left out some text, actually read:

l/h/f drop link worn needs replacing. L/h/f shock leaking recommend replacing. (Recommend replacing shocks as pair) both wishbone bushes worn recommend replacing.

Real axle bushing worn both sides need replacing. Rear top mounts worn both sides need replacing.


Not sure if that changes your attitude towards the quote!

martinr5232

Throw it through the test and see what it fails on its only a few quid for a retest and you may get another years cheap driving.

bazz26

What on earth were you doing bringing a 16 year old car to a main dealer for? Main dealers will quote you for brand new OEM parts along with very high labour costs. There is no value add to bringing a car of that age to a main dealer.

Also these pre NCT checks are a waste of money imo. Put the car through the test and let them tell you what needs fixing. Get a price from an independent garage for the work and then make an educated decision on whether it is worth spending that money on the car.

George Dalton

Dubwat wrote: »

By your own admission, your 16yr old car is worth approx €900. A timing belt/water pump will probably cost you at least €400-500 in an indie garage. If an indie garage did the suspension at half the price of the main dealer, that's still €750. Two 'new' pre-worn tyres ~€50. That's €1,200-1,300 just on the three items you mentioned.

I'd buy a new(er) car (for €1,200?) with a current NCT.

Interesting how you can quote values and prices without even knowing what make or model the car is :pac:

JohnBoy26

George Dalton wrote: »

Interesting how you can quote values and prices without even knowing what make or model the car is :pac:

Notice it a lot lately on here where posters give a long story and never include the most crucial information of make and model.

Brion

Sorry, it's a Ford Puma!

Dubwat

George Dalton wrote: »

Interesting how you can quote values and prices without even knowing what make or model the car is :pac:

It's a 16yr old car worth €900!

I wrote:
- will probably cost
- If an indie garage did the suspension at half the price of the main dealer
- ~€50

Option A was to say nothing until the OP realises their ommission.
Option B was to grandstand those who try to help with guesstimates.

I recognise your username and you're an expert on this forum. I am not an expert. So, in future, I'll wait until you call out the OP before I reply.

biko

Don't pay for anything until after NCT guys have had their say. Pre-NCT is usually a waste of money.
Stop using a main dealer for such an old car, there's plenty of local independents that will do the same job for half money.

Guy:Incognito

2 knackered shocks that have been wiped dry beforehand will probably go through an nct because there wont be an imbalance. That doesnt mean the car is "ok for another years driving". A top mount coming apart while driving wont be any less damaging because theres a disc in the window saying it's nct'd till next September either. The NCT isnt the be all and end all of keeping your car roadworthy. It's should be just the confirmation that the ongoing maintenance you're doing on the car is working.

*Kol*

I would source the parts myself rather than buy OEM parts. That will help. Unfortunately you can't escape the inevitable costs such as tyres and timing belts.

Brion

Update: Brought it somewhere else, cost 1k to repair and passed the NCT last week.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

George Dalton

Patww79 wrote: »

Bring it, get the list, and get those fixed. The price of test + retest + specific repairs will always be lower than the price of test + what you'll pay to get the car ready beforehand.

This is what I always recommend. In the case of older cars particularly. It suits everyone better IMO. I much prefer to get handed a fail sheet than asked to look at an old car before the event.

Most garages don't want the hassle of going through a 15 year old car with a fine tooth comb trying to make a judgment call on half a dozen borderline issues when the NCT itself will give you the definitive answer in half an hour for €55.

corks finest

Brion wrote: »

I've the NCT coming up soon and had a check carried out recently (by the main dealer) on my 16 year old car (low mileage, about 75k) and I was hit with a 3.5k quote for their recommended repairs. Obviously not going to pay that on a car that cost 1/4 of that amount. Am I wasting my time bringing it to the test centre? There are things that will obviously fail me, most noticeably two new tyres as they're below 1.6mm. Biggest quote is for the suspension (l/h/f drop link worn needs replacing and rear axle bushing worn both sides need replacing). This is 1.3k alone.

Other pricey repairs include water pump leaking (oil leak from engine) and timing belt due 80k miles.

Obviously want the car to be roadworthy but can some of these quotes be taking the piss at times? Car has been driving fine (passed the NCT last year no problem) and I haven't spotted anything unusual with it (though you could argue that if I didn't change the tyres at this point then maybe I am missing something).

Go to the credit union,buy a cheap second hand