At what point do you decide you've spent enough on keeping a car running?

[YourHandInMyHand]

I have a car, it's just cost me over £200 for MOT, was more than that last years MOT, have also replaced the clutch, new window when it got smashed, etc. Today the driver's window is jammed, I need a new window regulator and am looking at £220 new part, or £120 second hand part. I've had to ask him to jam the window shut for now while I save to have it repaired.

I have always just had a cheap run around kind of car. Cant afford a car on finance or upfront unless its £1000 or under so I'm aware it will likely need more upkeep than a newer car would.

My mechanic has said car will likely need a fair bit of body work doing come next MOT.

I need a car. DS has special needs, goes to a paediatrician out of county and soon will be starting a school out of county where I won't be doing school runs but would need to drive there if he was ill or there was an emergency, and for termly meetings, open events, etc. DS has his sen and DP has cerebral palsy. Baby on the way too.

I'm not working at the moment (due to DS being out of school) so money is tight.

I just don' t know when do I cut my losses with this car, sell it and get another? And then how do I know the next one I buy isn't a money pit? This is only my second car as I didn't pass my test until I was 30. I've no big brother, dad, etc to ask car advice of, and DP doesn't drive and has zero knowledge of cars. I need sage car advice!

My previous car was about 10 when I called it a day. She was high milage but mainly motorway so general wear and tear had been comparatively low. The last year she began to get niggle after niggle, mostly minor, but there was an issue that cost about £3-400 to resolve. She made her final one way journey to the scrap yard when her head gasket went a few months later as it reached the point where that was going to be expensive, there was a risk of damage, then some other aging part waiting to fail.

I gave up on my last one at the point it would cost me more to repair than buy one slightly better, which was about £1200. Hard decision as I loved the car but I have got a better one (ended up part- exing it).

See mine is now 16! So she's been a good runner. I think I've had her 3 or nearly 4 years now. She'd only had one owner before me and been well looked after but is definitely starting to show her age now!

A one off issue over 300 and I'd definitely be waving goodbye, I think that's an easier decision than when it's bits here and there. Also knowing the next MOT will likely be a hefty bill I'm mindful it would be harder to sell on closer to mot time.

I’m trying to make the same decision. Just spent £300 on a clutch, now the gearbox (I think?!?) has gone as the clutch is sticking and it’s hard to find gears. I’m scared to find out how much it’ll be to repair.
I love my car, had him 6 years and he’s been so reliable (12 years old) but dh thinks it’s time to move on... would hate to think of him being scrapped though 😩

Logically if you can't afford a new car outright, and you need a car, pay for the repairs. You won't get anything much for a 16 year old car (unless it's a rare sports car!) so you are going to be driving it into the ground anyway.
Meanwhile try and save bits and bobs towards replacing the car next year or the year after.

My cars are always boys too HowManySleeps

When one thing goes wrong, I get it fixed and think no more of it. When two or three unrelated things go one after the other, then it's time to think about getting rid of it. That's always been my view. If I were you, I'd be thinking of changing. As for a replacement, you need to find a good second hand car dealer in your area. Try asking on MN if you've nobody in RL you can ask, We have always bought 2nd hand from reliable dealers and, so far, have never had one that turned into a money pit.

May i ask with you mentioning your son with sn are you entitled to a mobility vehicle i wonder?

My car is 11 years old, but high mileage (approx. 160,000 miles) as I do a lot of driving. In the last month three unrelated things have gone wrong. It's served me well up to now but I'm definitely starting to feel like I'm throwing good money after bad.

@Justanotheruser01 Unfortunately no. DS receives low rate mobility so no chance of a mobility car. His low rate helps with petrol costs is how I look at it, as he often can't do the bus or walk so we use the car more than if he were neurotypical I guess. My DP has CP and has recently had his mobility element cut during the switch over to pip and he will now lose his bus pass and blue badge. It's bonkers. He's decided not to fight it. I think my DS may get a blue badge if I fight for one, which is crazy consider DP is much more physical needs on paper than DS, but there ya go.

The notion of there being a few things needing repairs in a short space of time is another good rule of thumb for me to remember too.

This new window regulator seems such a daft but expensive thing. It's going to annoy me though having to haul my pregnant belly out of the car to say, get hold of the car park ticket though with no opening window until I get it fixed. I may feel less attached to it after a while of having to do that ha ha.

I will definitely ask for local recommendations of car dealers in my town. Best to know in advance!

My drivers window didn't work for about 3 years before the car went to the scrappy for other reasons. It's a pain in the arse, but you soon get used to stopping far enough forward to be able to open your door to get a ticket
Just don't try a McDonald's drive through!

I'd probably try to keep it going until the next mot is due, then get something else with a years mot at that point.