Offered 11-year-old car for free - good idea or potential money pit?

[TantieTowie]

I've been offered an 11 year old car (2001 Suzuki Ignis) that will be scrapped if I don't take it. Apparently running well (though a bit scratched). I don't have a car (work from home and school/nursery walking distance) and use car club/hire cars when I need them. That costs me around £2000 a year. Is this free car a no brainer or could it end up costing me a fortune? Or am I just a bit over-cautious about the responsibility or car ownership?

Bin it when it breaks down! It's free!

Read title and thought, 'why would you give an 11 year old a car?'. Time for bed me thinks.

Keep it untill it dies, some old cars are great and others are not. Our old car which we sold to a friend has just sailed through its MOT only needing two new tyres, and that is an X reg.

1andAhalfWines I put time into writing that - but you're completely right.

As are you, NatashaBee and nownowImreading - thanks!
Though it won't be completely free as there's the insurance/petrol/road tax and all of that... But still should cost me less than £2000 a year, I'm guessing (?)

Check the insurance cost and the road tax cost.
The insurance might be less but cars 10 years and over definitively pay more in tax.
But I think that it will be cheaper than using car clubs, actually, even renting a car in a regular basis is cheaper than using a car club.

if it was my 11 yr old car I'd say yes! Still runs v well but not cosmetic attractive IYSWIM but I dont care

When was it MOTd?

TantieT, I was thinking bed for me not you , your title was clear, my sleep deprived brain is not. Agree with others, drive till it dies

I wouldn't take a 11 year old Ford, but would take the risk on a Susuki. I have a 10 year old Nissan that is still going strong (and is still lovely to drive) and usually sails through its MOTs - I think Japanese cars in general seem to be cheap to run/maintain. We've owned ancient old Rovers, Audis and BMWs that have all been complete moneypits and I'd never buy another one again.

My car is a 2000 V reg, sailed through it's MOT in May.

It's pretty goddamn fugly but it runs well and it's pretty good on petrol.

Tax will depend on whether it's over 1.49cc or not. £120 if under, twice that I think if it's over. Mine's just under luckily.

1.5
ShatnersBassoon have asked the question about MOT but waiting to find out.
RubberDuck that sounds promising.
MyDogShitsMoney think it is under 1.49cc but again waiting to find out.

Thanks all! TT

If it has no/very little MOT, I wouldn't bother. It could just be a complete waste of time and a test fee.

Athendof

"The insurance might be less but cars 10 years and over definitively pay more in tax."

Most definitely not. Worst case scenario - 11.5 year old vehicle (or older) £220; same vehicle but 9 years old £475. From here

If it's over 40 years old, it's free. From here

As said, run it til it breaks, then scrap it.

think it is under 1.49cc but again waiting to find out

That won't go very fast

The largest engine in the Ignis was 1.5l (1490cc). However, you'll need to know when it was registered in 2001 to get the right tax rate (or ask the current owner what they pay); £120 if registered before 1st March 2001, £195 (1.5l) or £170 (1.3l) if registered after.

Just had the mot for our 12 year old ford focus and it cost £180 :)

I see, I am paying just over £100 for a cosiderably newer vehicle, and I noticed that the tax went up to £220 after their ten aniversary. It may be that my car model has some sort of discount which ends by then

Yeah, 1.4's are not exactly racy I admit.

I have to change down to go up steep hill sometimes but it's 16v so not too bad on motorways and stuff. Not exactly shit off a shovel but not too shameful!

If it's got a decent MOT and it's cheap tax I'd say take it, worth a punt imo.

"...the tax went up to £220 after their ten aniversary."

It's dependent on the date of registration, not how long since it was registered.

"Yeah, 1.4's are not exactly racy I admit."

Maybe not, but a 1.4l is nearly 1000 times bigger than 1.49cc.

Hence the wink in my earlier post.

Oops

I was trying to sound all knowledgeable by using clever petrol head terms.

I have a 12 year old car and a 13 year old car. They both run fine, the zafira goes through mot every year no problem and the focus has a few bits but nothing major. Tax is about 200 quid on each? Insurance is 230 quid a year.

I wouldn't try to MOT it, but if it has some MOT, the tax and running costs should be less than what you are spending atm.

I got a banger for a few months while I was waiting for a new car to be delivered. You can get insurance on a monthly PAYG 3rd party basis. This one I got was on it's last legs, but it was cheaper than bus fares, even though it was a 2 litre I think - a sporty Saab. Then after a few months I sold it at a profit!