Failed MOT: fix, then sell, or sell for parts/scrap?
 

Hi.
First time poster - please let me know if this is in the wrong place.

My dad (life-long Volvo driver) passed away recently and am wondering how to sell his blue metallic 1993 Volvo 240 2.0 SE Estate (Manual).

Since his illness last year it has been stored in a garage. I took it for an MOT and it failed - it needs new tires and coolant is leaking. The garage told me it wouldn't be worth the money to get repaired.

The interior is plush and pristine, exterior has a few spots of rust and some tiny scratches, but otherwise, it's extremely reliable, starts every time and is a pleasure to drive. I'm looking to sell fairly quickly, as mum does not have the space.

Would it be worth spending the money on the repairs, then sell, or should I just put it on an Ebay auction 'as is'?

Any advice much valued!

Sorry to hear about your dads passing.

Sounds an easy fix. Not failed on severe structural rust. How many miles?

What part of cooling system is leaking? If head gasket could be expensive, but don't scrap. Ebay listing with good/bad points.

Garage obviously sees it as an old car! They haven't offered you a price of scrap have they?

Probably fix the issues and sell for £1500+ 240 prices are on the rise!

I say fix it yourself, if able. Find a different garage. Aftermarket nissens rad is cheap and heater hoses.



James.

I agree regarding repair. Tyres c£80 a corner - how many do you need?

Coolant leak could be something as simple as a loose or broken hose clip - I once had the bottom hose to radiator clip rust through!, As said, a new rad and hoses should not break the bank, as you're looking at perhaps c£200 - so possibly c£500 all in tops.

If the car has a good SH it is unlikely to be anything more serious, and the car should find a ready buyer if offered at a sensible price with a fresh MOT. Selling for spares would probably realise c£300 or so, so repair would be the way to go.

Regards, John.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss Blauwe.

What James and John say is correct.

If you sell the motorcar as scrap it will be worth about £400, the advantage would be you would get the cash straight away and it would be collected probably the same day.

If you advertised it on an eBay auction as a project motor car with no MoT but some nice photographs and a candid description it might make a grand (maybe a little less). It would need to be collected with a trailer so the deal may not be so swift, also there would be some selling costs (maybe £40) and eBay buyers are slightly notorious for being insincere (although I have not had a problem in that respect).

You could always try posting a free small ad in the selling section of this forum. There are always folk claiming to be looking for project 240s (although I think most of them are dealers looking for cheap stock - but that may suit your needs well). If you asked quite a low price (say £900) you might find that is just what someone is looking for.

Without seeing the motor car or the MoT failure report it is difficult to give you a better steer on the costs of repair. As John says a set of new tyres might be £300 (if it needs all 4, perhaps you might get away with just a pair?). Fixing the leak and any other failure issues is slightly open ended. If you have to pay a garage to investigate and do the work that could cost hundreds in labour alone. If you are able to diagnose and fit some parts yourself it might be just a few pounds. With a new MoT James is right, the motor car should make at least £1,500. There would of course be some selling costs and the same uncertainty as above.

I'm guessing the MoT garage gave you an estimate for making good the faults, so you will already know the approximate cost. If the estimate was more than £500 I'd say it might be best to advertise the motor car as it is on eBay with a low start price and aim to get around £1,000. There are always folk looking for project cars.

Good fortune,

Alan

Repair it. Garages are good at repairing cars, and in this case clearly not at valuing them.

Even a shabby example with MOT will sell for far more than the likely cost of repairs, and a good one for many times that sum.

There seems to be a pattern emerging here ...

Alan, you make 'volvo always' and I sound like characters in the good book, not on a Volvo forum ... :regular_smile: J

I’m sorry about the circumstances of the sale, it has value, no doubt.

Some pictures on here would really help, you’re in the right place to get interest.

I do so hope I have not offended anyone John; that would never be my intent.

:thinking2:

Never, Alan. It just made me chuckle, 'tis all! :regular_smile: J.

I recall Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
James hardly got a look in!:teeth_smile: