Should I pay to fix my car or replace it?

Question

I have a 12 year old Vauxhall Vectra 2.5 V6 CDX which runs perfectly, and is as powerful as it always has been, but in order to pass the annual MOT (safety test) it needs £265 spent on it. This seems OK given its age, but the mechanic (with surprising honesty) advised me to not bother spending any money on it as the head gasket is cracked and the car could break down at any time.

He told me that oil has leaked into the water in my radiator expansion tank, resulting in brown gunk spreading around the engine (he described it as "a mess").

So, with 130,000 miles on the clock of a 12 year old car, is it worth spending this much money on or should I put the money towards replacing the car? My funds are very limited, so I really don't want to waste this money.

Answer 1

Is he assuming that the head gasket is gone because the oil leaked in the coolant? Or after finding the leak, he checked the compression and the oil and found it out?

Check your engine compression, and make sure the head gasket is bad before you make any decision. You probably need just a new radiator plus $265 for the MOT.

Second opinion is always good to get.



Good luck.

Answer 2

Frankly, I'm amazed that any car with a blown head gasket "runs perfectly" not only do you have oil in the coolant system, you most likely have coolant in the crankcase. This is a recipe for catastrophic engine failure. You really must cut your losses and look into a new vehicle unless you are very attached to your Vauxhall for sentimental reasons. If that is the case, then you are going to have to invest in a major engine rebuild at considerable expense. Sorry man, but that really is what you are looking at.

Answer 3

The endless arithmetic with cars. The mechanic could be right, but the decision is yours. Trade this mess in or sell it, Put a new engine in and pay the MOT. I think that the decision would be based on your own needs and finances. I have kept an old Subaru going because I like the car and can afford the repairs.

Answer 4

if oil is mixing with water, your head gasket is shot. NEEDS replacing. as it gets worse, your fuel economy will plummet. my first car got 27MPG. head gasket blew, then i got 10MPG. if it was only the 265 in work it needed id say go for it. but since you need a new head gasket, and probably a whole set of engine seals and while youre at it just rebuild the whole engine. it wouldnt be worth it. unless you are totally committed to this car, start shoppin for a new set of wheels

Answer 5

haha no. You dont basically "decide on" what you decide on. on your settlement you signed you pronounced that they might restore a factor if repairable and replace with used and aftermarket or new factors if non-repairable. A a million.5 inch dent and scratches is actual repairable- why on earth ought to they replace it and raise all our insurance costs? would desire to you think of if each and each area that had any injury on it became into replaced with a sparkling OEM area? Our costs are already extreme! you are able to desire to be one in each of those consumers that drives an adjuster loopy. "oh my advantageous mercedes!" in case you decide on it replaced.. be waiting to pay the better value out of pocket because of the fact to boot that, you haven't any say right here. Your insurance won't grant you back your motor vehicle till it sounds like it did earlier than the twist of destiny.. why no longer permit the specialists difficulty approximately this quite of giving them a confusing time in the past you even see the outcomes?

Answer 6

take the mechanics advice vectras of that age are easy to find. a wreck prob wont cost more than a runner.

Answer 7

car is gone...head gasget will cost more than whole car is worth...and once you get into engine GOD only knows what else will be found...say bye bye ,,find a new love

Answer 8

Your best bet is to take it to another mechanic for a second opinion.