Used car from dealer turns out to be rotten
Discussion
Hi, I bought a 2003 Discovery from a small independent dealer one year ago for £6k. It had an existing MOT from a different garage. Put it in for a new MOT at our local garage today [not the supplying one] and have been told the chassis is very badly rotted and is dangerous and may not be economical to repair. I am aware that an MOT is for the day of test but it is obvious that the chassis couldn't have been in an acceptable condition last year. I fear that because of the car's age I'm stuffed but I have to ask...Is it worth me pursuing any course of action either with the supplying dealer or the garage that did the original MOT? Thank you.
Worth taking it to another garage for a quick 2nd opinion on the rust, some garages will describe minimal rust as a huge problem and making the car scrap, and if you take it up the road to a more sensible garage who is used to repairing old cars they might only charge a small amount making good local repairs/welding.
I had a nice old 944 that had failed it's mot on rot and the mot garage had told the owner it was not worth repairing hence he sold it in a panic ( he was quoted £1200 to £1500 to fix the rust ) I gave it to my trusted garage and they sorted it for less than £300 rust repairs and the mot.
The flip side of that is it might have been driven in the sea 11 months ago and now be as rotten as a pear and not worth fixing, but as its 12 months later there is no obligation from the supplying dealer to help you .
I had a nice old 944 that had failed it's mot on rot and the mot garage had told the owner it was not worth repairing hence he sold it in a panic ( he was quoted £1200 to £1500 to fix the rust ) I gave it to my trusted garage and they sorted it for less than £300 rust repairs and the mot.
The flip side of that is it might have been driven in the sea 11 months ago and now be as rotten as a pear and not worth fixing, but as its 12 months later there is no obligation from the supplying dealer to help you .
Get a second opinion always worth it.
Remember a friend got his wifes mondeo mot'ed at the garage next to were he was working for ease one time instead of his normal garage.
Year 1 all ok passed ok 1 bulb. Next year with a mer 3000 miles more the garage came up with a massive list of stuff that hadn't happened in the 12 months since the last mot he also noted it has been quiet of late. Took it to our usual mechanic 1 wishbone bush and it was mot'ed with the known garage.
I always pop any new used car purchase to my mechanic and have a look over it with him within a week or two of purchase as I have bought two cars with mot's that were not better than toilet paper and I don't trust mots from garages I don't know.
Remember a friend got his wifes mondeo mot'ed at the garage next to were he was working for ease one time instead of his normal garage.
Year 1 all ok passed ok 1 bulb. Next year with a mer 3000 miles more the garage came up with a massive list of stuff that hadn't happened in the 12 months since the last mot he also noted it has been quiet of late. Took it to our usual mechanic 1 wishbone bush and it was mot'ed with the known garage.
I always pop any new used car purchase to my mechanic and have a look over it with him within a week or two of purchase as I have bought two cars with mot's that were not better than toilet paper and I don't trust mots from garages I don't know.
The Discovery 1 bodies used to rust overnight but the chassis were fairly long lasting, when the Discovey 2 was introducedin 1999 Land Rover addressed the body rust issue but left the chassis with no protection at all with the result that serious chassis rust problems were starting to emerge on vehicles from about 5 years old onwards.
I've had the quote for welding/repairs to pass MOT. £1200. A replacement chassis is near £3k plus the job of fitting it, so that's not an option for me. I suppose I have 3 options: Sell car as it is; get MOT done and keep car; get MOT done and sell car. If I keep it there will undoubtedly be ongoing rust issues and wife has lost confidence in it anyway so I'm thinking it has to go. Tonight then my homework is finding out what it's worth as is and what it's worth with 12 months MOT and see if the difference is more than £1200. I suspect the best course of action is going to be to fix it and sell it/trade in.
Artie Fufkin said:
I've had the quote for welding/repairs to pass MOT. £1200. A replacement chassis is near £3k plus the job of fitting it, so that's not an option for me. I suppose I have 3 options: Sell car as it is; get MOT done and keep car; get MOT done and sell car. If I keep it there will undoubtedly be ongoing rust issues and wife has lost confidence in it anyway so I'm thinking it has to go. Tonight then my homework is finding out what it's worth as is and what it's worth with 12 months MOT and see if the difference is more than £1200. I suspect the best course of action is going to be to fix it and sell it/trade in.
Px it at some car dealer and be done with then.How many garages have quoted / inspected it for mot
I would be very pissed off if I had dropped 6k on a car and a year later it was basically scrap at MOT time (I assume you have got a second opinion to make sure the MOT station isn't bending you over?).
However it is an old car, a model that is known to throw up some big bills, and you have had it a year.... I would have thought it is highly unlikely you have any case against the dealer really.
However it is an old car, a model that is known to throw up some big bills, and you have had it a year.... I would have thought it is highly unlikely you have any case against the dealer really.
The current MOT garage is one we have used as a family for many years and I have faith in them. They have shown me the chassis and I agree it is an absolute rotting mess. Looks like it's been sat in the sea. After seeing this, I cannot see any benefit in going for a second opinion anywhere.
An MOT fail similar to my spec, mileage, condition and needed welding just sold on ebay for £1420. Cars with 12 month MOT similar spec to mine advertised privately on autotrader for £4000 to £4800, so say £4500 tops. Remembering that I have to pay £1200 for the MOT, I might as well try WBAC cos even if they give me £3000 it would be worth it.
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