Forum menu

[Closed] Help me decide what to do with my car

SaxonRider · 2021-10-21T21:40:47Z

Something @molgrips said to me a while ago has informed my approach to vehicles for quite some time: 'better stick with the devil you know than the one you don't.' In other words, if you have a vehicle that works for you, you might as well just do your best to maintain it, even when the repairs might get a bit costly, insofar as getting a vehicle you don't know that could have just as many problems, on top of the purchase cost, plus the pain in the arse of finding one in the first place, could make it less efficient for you. All of this is to say that our 62 reg Mercedes Vito came out of its MOT with a long list of necessary repairs, details as follows: - 307k miles - prop shaft joint so worn, it is likely to fail - anti-lock braking system lamp indicates fault - electronic stability control lamp indicates fault - exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's limit - suspension arm pin excessively worn (both sides, front) - vehicle structure corroded to extent that rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (both sides, front) - parking brake efficiency below requirements The garage that did the MOT could only guess at the cost of repairs, but they said at least £500, but closer to £1000, and probably more. As a driver, I have always hated the vehicle, but my kids have loved it and said that it is the most comfortable we have had since the T4 Caravelle back in the early noughties. The problem is that I don't have any income right now, and Mrs SR's income from work is very small, so repair is going to be difficult shy of putting it on a credit card. That leaves purchasing a new (to us) vehicle, which we might be able to do with assistance from my in-laws, and writing off the old Mercedes. Bear in mind that neither Mrs SR or I are very happy with the idea of asking her parents to foot the entire bill of a newer vehicle. Question is: What would STW do?

Page 2 / 2 Prev

RustyNissanPrairie

Posts: 6642

Full Member

What does this mean…. the seat coverings are not good? The stitching on the drivers seat on mine gave way – I had to stitch it back together myself!!

the 'Active' models which do tend to be manuals have faux leather/plastic seat materials which badly splits. The seat bolster seam also comes undone as you mentioned.

That Sharon has been unloved most of its life.
They are out there - but Covid tax means they are a grand or so higher than they were. I've just bought a mint low mileage 2004 Berlingo for £2400 - that would have been a grand a couple of years ago.

Posted : 22/10/2021 4:57 pm

the-muffin-man

Posts: 14114

Full Member

That Sharan is a heap that’s been mistreated for years and then traded in before it it’s no longer a viable vehicle.

That would be my guess too!

Also at MOT last Nov it had 195,000 miles on the clock. A year later it's being sold with 195,000 miles on the clock!

Posted : 22/10/2021 5:06 pm

Page 2 / 2 Prev