Repair or Sell - Weighing Up a Repeatedly Overheating Commodore or Falcon
Recurring overheating is a common problem for high-mileage Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons on Perth roads, and many of these cars are now well past 200,000 kilometres. The advice is aimed at owners of these older vehicles who are deciding whether another repair bill is worth paying. It comes from a Perth car-buying business, so selling features as one of the options. The usual causes are a corroded radiator, a worn water pump, a failed head gasket, a sticking thermostat, perished hoses and blocked airflow. On an ageing car these tend to turn up together rather than one at a time.
Repairs stop making sense when overheating returns after a fix, when a quote approaches or exceeds the car's value, or when cooling, transmission and suspension problems appear at once. They also stop making sense when the owner no longer trusts the car on longer drives. Resale or wrecking value depends on whether the car runs, its variant and engine, how complete it is, the type of damage and what parts remain in demand. A car does not need to be registered or roadworthy to be sold. In Western Australia the number plates stay with the seller, a Notification of Disposal must be lodged with the Department of Transport, and valid photo ID is required. Stolen vehicles, cars still under finance and bare bodies without a chassis generally cannot be sold this way.
If a car has overheated two or three times, the useful question is whether the owner is fixing it or only delaying the next breakdown. A further repair can still be reasonable, but it should follow an honest quote and an honest look at the car's overall condition. Comparing that cost with what the car would fetch as it stands, even if it is not running, gives a clearer basis for the decision. Selling as-is can avoid both the repair expense and the uncertainty of what fails next.
To Learn More:
Comments