Hi All,

I bought a 2007 KA for £2000 in October 2013 at the time it had 35k on the clock. I'm in a huge pickle about whether to keep the car on the road or cut my losses and call it a day. I have now taken this car through 2 MOT's and serviced it every 6 months. I'm a stereotypical girl and I'm ashamed to say that I know nothing about cars and would really appreciate any opinions or advise on what I should do for the best.

I've been getting my car MOT'd and serviced at the same garage and nothing has been mentioned previously about corrosion. However, there is visible rust around the petrol cap. Car goes in for MOT last week and failed on mainly rust/corrosion.

I was advised by the first garage to scrap the vehicle due to repairs being around £1000 (then tried to sell me a second hand car - that story is for another day). I got another 3 independent opinions who advised in the region of £200 - £250 (inc VAT & Labour) to fix suspension arm and corrosion to drivers chassis. Then a further £360 (inc VAT & Labour) to fix the petrol cap corrosion, however, this is as an advisory on my subsequent MOT's rather than a fail.

I have therefore paid to get the car through it's MOT by fixing the suspension and drivers chassis. I also requested to have better types put on at £92 for 2 (inc fitting & VAT). Total cost to get through the MOT (inc VAT and labour) = £350.

The decision is as follows: get the fuel cap corrosion done at a further £360 or call it quits and trade it in.

I'm not in a position to buy a brand new car so I would be getting another second hand car. If I was to go out and buy one today it would be in the region of £2k again. I was hoping to get another 2 years out of this car to give me time to save up for a more reliable one worth a bit more money to spend on it. So I'm stuck with the decision to make over the devil I know (e.g. repairs and issues) or taking a gamble on another cheap car and hoping it lasts. Apparently the engine is in great condition. What would you do?

I have added repairs and costs so far below...

Many thanks again,

Kate

Costs to date

Prior to MOT 1 (Feb 2014) - New clutch - £95 (+ VAT & Labour)

MOT 1 (Sept 2014) - Passed with 2 advisories

1) Lower arm rear bushes starting to split

2) N/S/F inner drive shaft seeping grease

Repaired Sept 2014 at £180 (+VAT)

Between MOT's - new battery (£70) and service (£110) - including VAT& Labour

MOT 2 (Sept 2015) - FAILED

1) Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength to within 30cm of the body mountings nearside rear inner wheel arch.

2) Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting... offside front chassis leg

3) Suspension are has excessive play in a pin/bush front lower (both rear bushes).

Advisories

4) front - flexcy starting to corrode

5) both front tyres inner edges wearing

6) nearside outer wing starting to corrode

Hi Kate

Do you have any pictures of the corrosion near fuel filler?

The Ka is well documented to rot and fizz away to nothingness, and it appears as though yours is going. Personally, I would drive it up until a month before MOT is due again, then trade it. You won't get much for it, so may as well save like crazy until next MOT is due then serve it on and get a better car.

May I recommend a Focus?

Sent via the 'Clacks'

GNU STP

Hi Ben,

Thank you for your speedy reply. I don't have any pictures at the moment but I can try to take some after work today. Rust is visible on the outside round the petrol cap however, has not rusted though as yet.

Is the focus less prone to rust? At this moment in time I think I'm, probably unjustly, looking at all Fords through negative goggles. Ahhh the joys of motoring :(

If you can afford to change cars I'd trade it in asap as older Ka's are a moneypit