2005 Streetka - what to do??

2005 Streetka - what to do??

Author
Discussion

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Tuesday 1st March 2022
quotequote all
Nearly seventeen years ago in a moment of complete madness I bought my wife a brand new Ford Streetka.

Failing the MOT test is an annual tradition and we normally spend a couple of hundred quid and all’s well. The cars only done 45k and with covid only 180 miles since it was last tested.

Anyway it failed again on Friday and really pee’d me off,

Problems are:

1. Can't open boot - I could when it failed MOT. I think the solenoid in the boot was on the way out as it always took many attempts to open from the fob, but since doing a shop on the way home from the MOT centre, it can't open from the key in the lock between the seats. Also, the key fob doesn't work with the door locks either - we've put in another CR2032 and not the battery. I can open the hood storage compartment can the boot be opened from here?

2. It failed on the rear windows which is totally discoloured and daylight is just about visible, but can't understand why the very same tester didn't fail it 12 months ago it has got no worse over the last five years and always rely on wind mirrors. Immediately ordered some amazing convertible plastic window cleaner on Ebay which I have zero faith in.

3. Shouldn't have bothered with the rear window cleaner, in trying to sort the boot issue out put the roof down to ensure roof storage cover was closed properly and the window cracked. Ironic, since if this happened before the MOT we would have been able to remove the window and it wouldn't have failed on this. Replacement windows are around £100 - how easy are these to replace. Are they just on a zip and covered by velcro?

4. Other failures are windscreen washer not working and have ordered a motor for this assuming that's the problem but haven't looked at that yet.

5. I got a friend to replace the front coil springs to pass last year’s MOT and need the rears done this year and the nsf brake hose, but friend now moved and don’t have any others (that are good with cars).

6. Plus I need a new clutch.

So, all in all, could be very expensive and need to look at whether I keep it or get rid.

The tax expired today so I have two or three weeks to fix it or offload it.

What the best way to find a reasonable mechanic who enjoys replacing coil springs, brake hoses and clutches without getting totally stitched up.

Many thanks for any advice.



Dave

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Tuesday 1st March 2022
quotequote all
I meant to add it's parked in the road, hence to 2 or 3 weeks to sort it before I get a fixed penalty. There is a private road close by, but don't want to leave it there with the rear screen hanging out.

Register1

2,279 posts

101 months

Tuesday 1st March 2022
quotequote all
Sounds like a scrapper.

Time for some proper shedding

twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
I was going to say stick it in the air and leave it there for a few years but saw you only have street parking.
I'd get it sorted as I was selling them when they launched and still have a soft spot for them.
If you do decide to sell it try owners clubs first. Anything special about? Leather, colour, etc?
As I say, though, I'd put the money into the old girl and keep her running

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
No USPs unfortunately and deep down I do hate to let it go.

How long before I get a fine from DVLA?

LankyFreak

713 posts

35 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Dave121 said:
Nearly seventeen years ago in a moment of complete madness I bought my wife a brand new Ford Streetka.

Failing the MOT test is an annual tradition and we normally spend a couple of hundred quid and all’s well. The cars only done 45k and with covid only 180 miles since it was last tested.

Anyway it failed again on Friday and really pee’d me off,

Problems are:

1. Can't open boot - I could when it failed MOT. I think the solenoid in the boot was on the way out as it always took many attempts to open from the fob, but since doing a shop on the way home from the MOT centre, it can't open from the key in the lock between the seats. Also, the key fob doesn't work with the door locks either - we've put in another CR2032 and not the battery. I can open the hood storage compartment can the boot be opened from here?

2. It failed on the rear windows which is totally discoloured and daylight is just about visible, but can't understand why the very same tester didn't fail it 12 months ago it has got no worse over the last five years and always rely on wind mirrors. Immediately ordered some amazing convertible plastic window cleaner on Ebay which I have zero faith in.

3. Shouldn't have bothered with the rear window cleaner, in trying to sort the boot issue out put the roof down to ensure roof storage cover was closed properly and the window cracked. Ironic, since if this happened before the MOT we would have been able to remove the window and it wouldn't have failed on this. Replacement windows are around £100 - how easy are these to replace. Are they just on a zip and covered by velcro?

4. Other failures are windscreen washer not working and have ordered a motor for this assuming that's the problem but haven't looked at that yet.

5. I got a friend to replace the front coil springs to pass last year’s MOT and need the rears done this year and the nsf brake hose, but friend now moved and don’t have any others (that are good with cars).

6. Plus I need a new clutch.

So, all in all, could be very expensive and need to look at whether I keep it or get rid.

The tax expired today so I have two or three weeks to fix it or offload it.

What the best way to find a reasonable mechanic who enjoys replacing coil springs, brake hoses and clutches without getting totally stitched up.

Many thanks for any advice.



Dave
These are cheap, buy another one that isn't rife with issue?

twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Dave121 said:
No USPs unfortunately and deep down I do hate to let it go.

How long before I get a fine from DVLA?
That's anyone's guess. Can you not just tax it on the monthly for the time being?
From memory you can open the boot from the compartment between the seats, using the key blade.
You could easily fit the rear window in the way you described, using velcro.
Clutch kit,hoses and springs should be cheap as chips and about 5 hours total labour and neither will tax a mechanic.
Where are you based?


ARHarh

4,280 posts

114 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Just an Idea, For number 2 MOT it with the roof down, as far as I know they will not be allowed to put it up and can't then see the window. I have taken my MX5 for its mot every year for 5 years with the roof down and they never put it up to check it.

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Thank you both, good ideas.

If only it had failed on roof alone I would have taken it down and driven straiglt back in to retest. It the fail on the rear screen is on the system does that HAVE to be retested?

Boot lock between the seats no longer works. The door locks/alarm/boot no longer respond to the key fob and I have put a new battery in.

To the best of my knowledge, you can't tax a car without a valid MOT otherwise I would have done it - always pay monthly.

My old Merc failed the MOT, couldn't tax and received a fine after three weeks around £100?


Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all

Just tried to tax it, just in case I was wrong. Won't do it without an MOT,

Sorry, I meant to say I'm in Sutton in Surrey.


twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Dave121 said:
Just tried to tax it, just in case I was wrong. Won't do it without an MOT,

Sorry, I meant to say I'm in Sutton in Surrey.
Any local Facebook groups you could ask for a home mechanic to help? I'm miles away, otherwise would be able to recommend a few that would do it after work for pocket money.

InitialDave

12,235 posts

126 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Dave121 said:
Just tried to tax it, just in case I was wrong. Won't do it without an MOT,

Sorry, I meant to say I'm in Sutton in Surrey.
Yes, unfortunately, while you can run tax on quite a while after an MOT expires before anything flags up, renewing it once its finished doesn't work.

Edit: to actually try and offer advice, unless it has sentimental value to your wife, I'd be listing it on ebay with all issues described and plenty of photos, then buy something else.

Edited by InitialDave on Wednesday 2nd March 12:26

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Thanks Dave, unfortunately I agree it's good money after bad.

What should in look at as reasonable reserve with:

1. no MOT
2. no clutch
3. scratches on most panels.
4. 2 old batteries and cheap toolset locked in boot

Clutch, coilsprings and brake hose - £200? Rear screen £100.

Would it be easier to ring around breakers to collect?




twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Ah shame and if I had space to store I'd make an offer. Try these guys https://www.removemycar.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_...

They paid me decent money on a no MOT/Cat N car recently

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Thanks Twing, they are quoting £277 for scrap.

As it's a scrap value they are not going to whinge about the clutch or try any haggling are they?

Only done 45k in 17 years. Would have been a nice little project for teenagers runaround with the scratches already done for them. Great little engine.

twing

5,207 posts

138 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Dave121 said:
Thanks Twing, they are quoting £277 for scrap.

As it's a scrap value they are not going to whinge about the clutch or try any haggling are they?

Only done 45k in 17 years. Would have been a nice little project for teenagers runaround with the scratches already done for them. Great little engine.
They didn't haggle at all an mine and it was hanging out of it's arse hehe

InitialDave

12,235 posts

126 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Well, £277 for a hassle-free removal of it isn't at all bad.

You may get more selling it yourself, but I'm not sure it'd be enough of an increase for the hassle of dealing with people.

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
Yes, I wasn't really looking forward to selling on Ebay and the no show buyers.

Selling a Galaxy smartphone is one thing, a knackered, old Ford's another.

Thanks for all your help and I will update you when I'm paid.




Pit Pony

9,242 posts

128 months

Wednesday 2nd March 2022
quotequote all
There's nothing in the Ops first post that shouldn't be a piece of piss to fix. Scrap it.

Dave121

Original Poster:

16 posts

32 months

Saturday 12th March 2022
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
Well, £277 for a hassle-free removal of it isn't at all bad.

You may get more selling it yourself, but I'm not sure it'd be enough of an increase for the hassle of dealing with people.
I did get more Dave, got another quote the following day and they offered £282. Good as gold, collected within 36 hours and money in the bank a day later.

Thanks for all your help.