MOT Fail - thinking of selling - advice please

Hi

I had a bit of a disappointing day today and need a bit of advice.

About a year ago I inherited my 1992 Defender 90 2.5 tdi hard top. It has been in our family since it was new, been garaged all it's life, regularly serviced and amazingly has still only done just over 60,000 miles. It has never been off roaded and only occasionally pulled a light trailer.

Today I took it down to Hallam brothers in Hayfield for what I thought would be a pretty straight forward MOT. uh-uh - never assume anything - it failed on the following:

• Excessively corroded rear cross member
• Play in rear axle swivel joint
• Leak in rear exhaust
• Misaligned headlights
• Deteriorated front registration plate

Obviously it's the first two that are the issue and Hallam bros' estimate that it will be about £1000 to get it through the MOT. The simple question is what to do, but this is complicated by the fact that I dont actually use the Landy that much, and I have only kept it because it is a bit of a family heirloom. It was brilliant having it around in the snow but I cycle commute to work most of the time and we have another car in the family if I need one.

It seems that the options are:

1. Sell it to Hallam brothers as is
2. Get Hallam brothers to fix it and keep it.
3. Get Hallam brothers to fix it and sell it
4. Sell it as is via a forum such as this to an enthusiast (who would probably do the work themselves)
5. Sell it as is via Ebay

I'm pretty sure that I will reluctantly be selling it so it is a question of the best way. Hallam Brothers are keen to buy it as they can see that it is an unusually tidy Landy with a mileage less than half what is typical for one of this age. I'm guesing they would do the work and have it on their forecourt for £5000+

The only supplementary information I can think of is that I have just put 12 months tax on it anticipating it's MOT pass...

Any thoughts would be welcome: you can see it here by the way -
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/90-wheel-bumper-refurb-83374.html

Thanks in advance for your input!

They're trying to rip you off.
£500 tops to fix that lot at a decent independent landy garage.
or £200 to do it yourself.

must agree with trewy there get it done yourself then keep it

with a landy of that history you would be daft not to get it repaired,but not for a £1000 tho

That seems expensive. I would be reluctant to sell a car without MOT, as you'll get sod all for it....

what a rip off!

only two things on the list that are any price really

They've bumped up the price to repair it, in the hope you'll sell it to them at a knockdown price. As Trewy said half the price would be more like it.

I'd be looking round for another garage to do the work. Post some pics of the alleged rot on the rear crossmember Chance are it'll patch. instead of renewing the whole crossmember.

They tell you it is going to cost a grand to fix and then seem keen to buy it off you and you are even giving this a first, let alone second, thought?

If so, I have some speakers for sale and a genuine rolex that I ordered too many of and have to get rid off.

Thanks for the replies - Obviously I'm not going to sell it to HB. I'm currently exploring getting the cross member done by an independent and will then re-consider my options.

Next question is - what do you think it would be worth with a new cross member, 12 months tax and fresh MOT: 1992 and 60,000 miles remember...

what! your joking right i bet the rear cross member can be patched and the play in the rear axle swivel joint is no biggy either. i bet you get it done for under £200 at a garage if you tried. £100 for welding, £50 to do swivel and £50 for rest.

take to back street garage and no work will be needed at all

don't sell it! get the work done and keep it

Excessively corroded rear cross member
Play in rear axle swivel joint
Leak in rear exhaust
Misaligned headlights
Deteriorated front registration plate

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rear crossmember get an independant to replace it i think the last quote i heard was £300 fitted

rear axle swivel joint i am assuming they mean the A frame ball joint £15 for a decent one +fitting

leaky exhaust at most a new back box £40 + fitting

headlight alignment most MOT stations will adjust them for ya for free or at most a couple of quid for a drink

number plate...... all of £10

G-man said:

don't sell it! get the work done and keep it



rear crossmember get an independant to replace it i think the last quote i heard was £300 fitted

rear axle swivel joint i am assuming they mean the A frame ball joint £15 for a decent one +fitting

leaky exhaust at most a new back box £40 + fitting

headlight alignment most MOT stations will adjust them for ya for free or at most a couple of quid for a drink

number plate...... all of £10

Click to expand...

a new cross member will cost ya £60 off paddocks i just got 1 for me 110

robint said:

a new cross member will cost ya £60 off paddocks i just got 1 for me 110

Click to expand...

with extensions?

its a good chance to rebuild it then you will have a landy that will pass MOT, be worth more , and last another 10yrs or so. the work that needs doig is somthing you can easy do your self

rear joint £50 land rover parts indepent garage about £60 to fit
rear crossmember can be patched up or i can take a gamble and buy the whole lot of ya for a tenner!!

lr110 said:

rear joint £50 land rover parts indepent garage about £60 to fit
rear crossmember can be patched up or i can take a gamble and buy the whole lot of ya for a tenner!!

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you can get an OEM spec one for £15 (delphi-lockheed)

On looking at the link to see it again....... WORST case, new exhaust (any 1 part of 3)fitted yourself £40, or complete £100....I had a new xmember fitted in Jan £350. Number plate set £12 ebay. Headlight adjustment you can do yourself or a garage..maybe £20.
Not sure about the rear axle........... but at the experienced members say £500 total.

Have to say your rear xmember dont look bad from the pic..... could be repairable?

Fook that garage off..... with a bit of effort you can sort it out. You would regret letting it go with no MOT they would only offer you about £2000 tops. Get it sorted and then decide. Once done it should be okay for years..... garage it and just use it Oct to March. You cant flog the family jewel

I was 20 mins posting above (phone) but the audience agrees.... I got my 3mm heavy duty xmember done in Warwick (cash)

Best thing about WA. No roadworthy unless re registering or the cops have picked you up for driving a pile of junk or got their attention some other way.

G-man said:

you can get an OEM spec one for £15 (delphi-lockheed)

Click to expand...

bugger i paid too much!!!!!!