A (very) rough idea of some repair costs
A (very) rough idea of some repair costs
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a311

Original Poster:

6,426 posts

207 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
My shed went in for it's MOT today and failed. Annoyingly the guy couldn't give me an idea of the costs to repair today so I'll have to wait until Monday where I'll have to drop it off again for the day.

Anyhow fails were front and rear break pipes excessively corroded

offside rear coil spring broken

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases-yet passed the emissions test.

I can do the basics-pads, discs, servicing but this will be beyond me. It's usually a case of weighing up the time/effort it would take me vs what the garage are charging anyhow.

What I'm after is a very rough ballpark figure for the repairs, it's a Vauxhall Signum assuming identical to a Vectra if anyone has had similar work done-for the lines not sure how access etc is-are they routed around/under/over the petrol tank? Exhaust not sure of where exactly the leak is. I'm based in the NW I'm not 100% but labour is about 40 p/h.

What I'm looking for is a rough guesstimate of the costs and then I can decide over the weekend if I should be looking for a replacement-MOT runs out this time next week so have a little time to play with.

I've enjoyed shedding for a few years now but I've recently been looking at the other end of the spectrum-lease deals. The car cost me 900 new and apart from 4 new tyres, front pads and dics it's served me well. But it's 10 years old done 123k so it's whether it's worth keeping or looking for a replacement.Tax is also due by the end of the month which will be another 155 out.

If anyone can give me a rough idea would be appreciated.

Cheers


M4cruiser

5,228 posts

180 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
a311 said:
My shed went in for it's MOT today and failed. Annoyingly the guy couldn't give me an idea of the costs to repair today so I'll have to wait until Monday where I'll have to drop it off again for the day.

Anyhow fails were front and rear break pipes excessively corroded

offside rear coil spring broken

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases-yet passed the emissions test.

I can do the basics-pads, discs, servicing but this will be beyond me. It's usually a case of weighing up the time/effort it would take me vs what the garage are charging anyhow.

What I'm after is a very rough ballpark figure for the repairs, it's a Vauxhall Signum assuming identical to a Vectra if anyone has had similar work done-for the lines not sure how access etc is-are they routed around/under/over the petrol tank? Exhaust not sure of where exactly the leak is. I'm based in the NW I'm not 100% but labour is about 40 p/h.

What I'm looking for is a rough guesstimate of the costs and then I can decide over the weekend if I should be looking for a replacement-MOT runs out this time next week so have a little time to play with.

I've enjoyed shedding for a few years now but I've recently been looking at the other end of the spectrum-lease deals. The car cost me 900 new and apart from 4 new tyres, front pads and dics it's served me well. But it's 10 years old done 123k so it's whether it's worth keeping or looking for a replacement.Tax is also due by the end of the month which will be another 155 out.

If anyone can give me a rough idea would be appreciated.

Cheers
My guess:

front and rear break pipes excessively corroded

Depends how many pipes. Suppose 4, then it's £150 including labour (mostly labour)

offside rear coil spring broken £70 part, £70 to fit

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases-yet passed the emissions test. £140

Total £430
Pure guess

a311

Original Poster:

6,426 posts

207 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
Cheers, my own rough guess was about 500+ but not based on much.

@ That sort of figure I'm not sure whether I spend it for hopefully another 12 months trouble free motoring or bin it.

M4cruiser

5,228 posts

180 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
If you like the car then you could bring the repair cost down by doing some of it yourself - brake pipes are not too difficult provided the unions come undone. Metal pipes can be bought for around £10 each - it's the fitting that costs the money. Just remember to bleed them afterwards!

The exhaust can sometimes be given a few months life with a repair kit.

Coil is more difficult unless you have some good tools.


a311

Original Poster:

6,426 posts

207 months

Thursday 10th October 2013
quotequote all
M4cruiser said:
If you like the car then you could bring the repair cost down by doing some of it yourself - brake pipes are not too difficult provided the unions come undone. Metal pipes can be bought for around £10 each - it's the fitting that costs the money. Just remember to bleed them afterwards!

The exhaust can sometimes be given a few months life with a repair kit.

Coil is more difficult unless you have some good tools.
I'm not particularly attached to the car. It's my 4th shed and also the most expensive, if a £400 + bill came up for one of my previous sheds there'd be no question of fixing it, however I'd also not have the confidence in them completing the long distance trips the Signum has. It's very comfy for long journeys but in 3.2 V6 it's thirsty and most trips I do are <15 miles, plus it's getting dated and I've toyed with the idea of treating myself to something new(er) for a while.

Appreciate the advice will look to see what is around at the weekend replacement shed wise, and also entertaining a lease deal.

HustleRussell

26,606 posts

190 months

Friday 11th October 2013
quotequote all
I reckoned about £400 and it seems I'm not the only one... It could be a fair bit more if you need a large exhaust section though.

davepoth

29,395 posts

229 months

Friday 11th October 2013
quotequote all
"Excessive corrosion on a brake pipe" has been known to be a bit of rust which was "fixed" with some sandpaper. If not, this needs a bit of investigation as it could be very cheap or quite pricey depending on the length of pipe that needs replacing. The spring is £35 from ECP (and that was the first place I looked), a pair of spring compressors is about £20, and the job can be done on a driveway in about two hours. As for the exhaust, a bit of gun gum will get it through the MOT. I'd say you could do it for around £250 all in.

HustleRussell

26,606 posts

190 months

Friday 11th October 2013
quotequote all
davepoth said:
"Excessive corrosion on a brake pipe" has been known to be a bit of rust which was "fixed" with some sandpaper. If not, this needs a bit of investigation as it could be very cheap or quite pricey depending on the length of pipe that needs replacing. The spring is £35 from ECP (and that was the first place I looked), a pair of spring compressors is about £20, and the job can be done on a driveway in about two hours. As for the exhaust, a bit of gun gum will get it through the MOT. I'd say you could do it for around £250 all in.
Don't get me wrong, bodges are great- but sometimes a false economy if you're planning to keep the car.

One worn OEM spring and one new pattern replacement on the same axle isn't really advisable.

Andyjc86

1,149 posts

179 months

Friday 11th October 2013
quotequote all
I would say £500 for the job ( assuming new section of exhaust)

a311

Original Poster:

6,426 posts

207 months

Friday 11th October 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the additional replies. I'll have a look underneath re: the corrosion. If it's more of the order of £250-£300 I'll get it sorted regardless as it will be worth it to sell it if that's what I decide to do.