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Technical 500 thats sat for 14 months

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Technical 500 thats sat for 14 months

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coolhandluke11

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Hi all,just joined to ask this specific question if you dont mind.

We've been offered a fiat 500 (2008 1.2 pop) with just 32000 miles on it and would like it for my daughter (she likes it too) but the car has sat outside for the last 14 months with the occasional start up. body work is lovely as is the interior.

We've taken it for a drive and it spluttered a lot when given any gas but it did seem to improve over the 30 minutes or so we had it for. it idled just fine, after 10 minutes or so. one thing is certain, the starter motor and battery are in great shape as we must have restarted the car 15 or 20 times

It needs the following, 4xcoils, 2xfront shocks, 2 rear tyres, front discs and pads, top suspension mounts x 2, top struts x2 ? same thing, I dont know, a service and new spark plugs,
This was according to a local garage that we drove it to. Estimate £1100 to fix.

I can accept the above given the age and lack of use - in a coastal town too but in your opinions, is it a money pit or bargain?

Its ours for £500 as it is.

avoid or snap it up? we're concerned that there could be a host of future issues just around the corner.

thanks.
 
Last edited:
coolhandluke11 said:
Hi all,just joined to ask this specific question if you dont mind.

We've been offered a fiat 500 (2008 1.2 pop) with just 32000 miles on it and would like it for my daughter (she likes it too) but the car has sat outside for the last 14 months with the occasional start up. body work is lovely as is the interior.

We've taken it for a drive and it spluttered a lot when given any gas but it did seem to improve over the 30 minutes or so we had it for. it idled just fine, after 10 minutes or so. one thing is certain, the starter motor and battery are in great shape as we must have restarted the car 15 or 20 times

It needs the following, 4xcoils, 2xfront shocks, 2 rear tyres, front discs and pads, top suspension mounts x 2, top struts x2 ? same thing, I dont know, a service and new spark plugs,
This was according to a local garage that we drove it to. Estimate £1100 to fix.

I can accept the above given the age and lack of use - in a coastal town too but in your opinions, is it a money pit or bargain?

Its ours for £500 as it is.

avoid or snap it up? we're concerned that there could be a host of future issues just around the corner.

thanks.
Click to expand...

Post the registration number and we can all check mot history online

Which visual town?

Very low miles to need new front shocks unless corrosion caused them to leak.
Was it independent local garage or chain like Kwik fit?
 
jackwhoo said:
Post the registration number and we can all check mot history online

Which visual town?

Very low miles to need new front shocks unless corrosion caused them to leak.
Was it independent local garage or chain like Kwik fit?
Click to expand...

32k of speed humps..

Oil sump would be the only ..non wear and tear item on that list

For @£1800 you should have a car that should last years :)

It will want £300 of cambelt work 'tomorrow..if not sooner' ;)
 
Would you be able to any of the work together with your daughter ?(she needs to get her hands dirty as soon as possible, that will save her a life time of garage bills for things she can do herself)
 
coolhandluke11 said:
Hi all,
We've been offered a fiat 500 (2008 1.2 pop) with just 32000 miles on it and would like it for my daughter (she likes it too) but the car has sat outside for the last 14 months with the occasional start up. body work is lovely as is the interior.
thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome both :)

Basics : is it MOT'd

When you say 'offered' for £500.. do you know the car and its history ?
Why has it been out of action..??

Not rebuilt after major damage.. will knock its 'worth' in any calculations

Work wise..
Your list is :
2 complete front strut assemblies
2 rear tyres
2 rear springs

Front end.. pay a garage

Rear end.. sort it yourself

Corrosion can be an issue with rear suspension.. so strip and repaint while replacing springs and tyres ;)

IF its not been rebuilt.. or taken off road due to an issue..

I Think the £500+@£700 is worthwhile

Charlie
 
Hey, thanks all.

I looked further at the MOT, all items were advisory so well get done done straight away, others can wait a month.
It's my mum's car so I know it's history and why it's been sat for a long period

I've given her more money too.

Everyone's happy.
 
Thanks for getting back to us :)

Well worth putting back into service..

The cambelt needs careful consideration though
Belt lasts 5 years through 'time' but many failures are actually due to the tensioner bearing failing..and snapping the belt... trashing the engine :(

Inactivity for 14 months might build corrosion in that bearing.. making its failure more likely :eek:

The belt also drives the waterpump.. so having :
Cambelt
Belt tensioner
Waterpump

Changed as a set is worthwhile ;)

Charlie
 
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coolhandluke11 said:
I can accept the above given the age and lack of use - in a coastal town too but in your opinions, is it a money pit or bargain?
Click to expand...

The answer probably depends on your DIY skills.

If you can fix most stuff yourself, snap it up. If you need to take it to a garage for even the smallest of faults, walk away and leave it for someone who is handy with the spanners.

IMO age, particularly when combined with infrequent use, is more likely to cause a modern car to develop faults than mileage. Expect a fair few minor but important issues which are relatively cheap on parts, but costly on labour, such as brakes.

If it's been stored outside near the coast, even more so. Some manufacturers of outdoor items like metal garden lighting guarantee offer guarantees on the finish of five years or so. There is often a clause in the small print saying the guarantee is not valid if the product is installed within ten miles of the sea.
 
jrkitching said:
IMO age, particularly when combined with infrequent use, is more likely to cause a modern car to develop faults than mileage.
Click to expand...


my original concern.

Anyway, we've bought it now.

Regarding DIY, I have done many car jobs in the past, brakes, discs, basic services, bodywork repair, respraying etc errors including breaking a Metro door handle to get in it to service it (frozen door), dropping sump plugs into buckets of hot oil, putting a hole in a radiator pipe (same Metro, same day!) and at my age I am happier to pay a good mechanic to do the work :) I also think its best for the car.

points taken though.
 
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