A Toyota that has been sitting a while...
Discussion
I'm looking for a little bit of advice regarding an old car - this is my first post on Pistonheads, so go easy on me!
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine this morning about an old 1999 Toyota that has been sitting outside his house for the last 3 years. I don't know the vehicle model or mileage - other than it's an 1999 Toyota. He told me that car was left there by his brother, and hasn't even had a fresh tank of fuel during that time. Recently, they have decided to try and get rid of it, and decided to try and start the car. The front passenger side wheel was completely flat, so they changed the wheel over with the spare one and tried to get it going with a set of jump leads. To my amazement, the car started the second time round, and he tells me it actually ran relatively OK. They where able to move the car forwards and reverse the car a couple of yards, however there was a little bit of resistance (from the brakes?) slowing down the car, although the front wheel moved freely while the wheel was being changed.
The car is currently sitting with no MOT and no tax.
So I'd like to ask, what would be the best advice to offer my friend? He has already been offered £100 from a local scrap dealer to take the car from him, however he tells me the car is in relatively good nick for its age - so maybe list it for spares or repairs?
Also, could the resistance issue be a quick fix? And would it be worth completely draining the fuel and putting in perhaps couple of gallons of some freshly bought fuel?
Any advice from someone in the know would be greatly appreciated!
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine this morning about an old 1999 Toyota that has been sitting outside his house for the last 3 years. I don't know the vehicle model or mileage - other than it's an 1999 Toyota. He told me that car was left there by his brother, and hasn't even had a fresh tank of fuel during that time. Recently, they have decided to try and get rid of it, and decided to try and start the car. The front passenger side wheel was completely flat, so they changed the wheel over with the spare one and tried to get it going with a set of jump leads. To my amazement, the car started the second time round, and he tells me it actually ran relatively OK. They where able to move the car forwards and reverse the car a couple of yards, however there was a little bit of resistance (from the brakes?) slowing down the car, although the front wheel moved freely while the wheel was being changed.
The car is currently sitting with no MOT and no tax.
So I'd like to ask, what would be the best advice to offer my friend? He has already been offered £100 from a local scrap dealer to take the car from him, however he tells me the car is in relatively good nick for its age - so maybe list it for spares or repairs?
Also, could the resistance issue be a quick fix? And would it be worth completely draining the fuel and putting in perhaps couple of gallons of some freshly bought fuel?
Any advice from someone in the know would be greatly appreciated!
Look at the price of one with 12 months mot on eBay etc.
Assume you will have to spend at least that to get an mot on it unless they are sub £500 (in which case buy one that has been in use).
Decide if it's worth it.
Without physically looking at the car, no one on the internet can tell you what is or isn't wrong with it...
Ps yes you will get a bit more for it by selling it spares or repairs on eBay than a scrap man will give you but expect the associated potential hassle.
Assume you will have to spend at least that to get an mot on it unless they are sub £500 (in which case buy one that has been in use).
Decide if it's worth it.
Without physically looking at the car, no one on the internet can tell you what is or isn't wrong with it...
Ps yes you will get a bit more for it by selling it spares or repairs on eBay than a scrap man will give you but expect the associated potential hassle.
New oil, filters, coolant, check brakes for binding/rust, makes sure handbrake cable is free, change brake fluid ( if you fancy being safe ), new fuel, check tyres, give everything a play and a oil ( not brakes 
.
Drive.
Fixing it to sell, leave it alone, fixing it to drive, definitely. Much rather have a car I know and worked on for a £500 than a shed off someone else.
.Drive.
Fixing it to sell, leave it alone, fixing it to drive, definitely. Much rather have a car I know and worked on for a £500 than a shed off someone else.
Service it, consider a cambelt if due. Do basic MOT checks i.e. tyres, bulbs, fluids, wiper blades. If it looks viable, get it insured.
Then book an MOT, ideally at a test station several miles away so that you can shake down the car on the way. Get the engine nice and hot, apply and release the brakes repeatedly to clean up the discs and get everything moving again, ease the handbrake on and off gently while moving to free up the mechanism. Do another visual check when you get there
Then book an MOT, ideally at a test station several miles away so that you can shake down the car on the way. Get the engine nice and hot, apply and release the brakes repeatedly to clean up the discs and get everything moving again, ease the handbrake on and off gently while moving to free up the mechanism. Do another visual check when you get there
Thanks for all your advise guys. I've since been to see the car, and it's defiantly not due for the scarp heap just yet! Turns out it's actually a 1999 Toyota Celica that just needs a little TLC. I've passed all of your advice onto him, and it looks like it will be back on the road.
Cheers again, hopefully we've saved him a few quid too
Cheers again, hopefully we've saved him a few quid too
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