If it's any consolation 4kidsnocash we (well, our son) have been going through the same thing. On his way home from a late shift his car broke down. Call to his Dad, who got out of bed, searched for jump leads (in vain), torch and tow rope and set off on half hour journey to rescue him. Fine for 200 yards, then no brakes, so ended up calling and joining RAC for a tow to garage. They mended the broken crankshaft (£135) then discovered car wouldn,t move. Said probably clutch (£400) but could well be something loose in the gearbox as well. As that would meam taking it apart that would be another £500 to £1000, and it would cost £100 just to investigate. As the car was only worth about £650 (tho previously a good runner) he decided to scrap it. Garage didn't charge him for crankshaft job and gave him £100.
My son was working all hours in A&E so ended up renting a car to get to work. After a lot of thinking, he decided he had better investigate buying a car on finance, but until he had done the research would buy a runaround. Found an old Peugeot 306 for £350. Would not start but the owner said it hadn't been used for a couple of months. Also told us hand brake needed adjustment. He agreed to fix the handbrake and when son returned next day, car started fine. Drove to garage to fill up and on the way there the car stopped. Bump started it (thought battery might need replacing) and drove home. Returned hire car.
Went for fuel next morning and discovered he couldn't get the fuel cap off. Frantic call to his Dad as due to start work an hour away at 8am. His Dad drove him there, and then 2 hours in the opposite direction to get himself to work! He did this for 3 days while the garage booked him in to fix fuel cap. He had to get himself back by taxi and train, a 2 1/2 hour journey which got him in at 10.30pm.
Husband decided to get his own car insured for our son as he was working the weekend, and offered to take the car to the garage for him. On the way there, it broke down! Called out RAC again, who bump started it and followed to garage (now closed). Due to the Bank Hol they werer short staffed and unable to investigate for a week. Husband offered car to son and began catching the train to work (a novel experience for him - he hasn't used public transport for 30 years!)
After a week of this son went on holiday. Husband ended up driving him and girlfriend to airport 2 hours away, and will be collecting this Tuesday night. Son had booked non-refundable airport parking so that was a waste of another £40.
Garage phoned on Friday and car's starter motor has burnt out and also steering column ignition switch needs replacing. Quoting £300, which is about what the car is worth.
Haven't told son yet so as not to spoil holiday but looks like my husband will be on the train again, till son decides whether to scrap the car he has only driven for 6 miles, or get it mended at more than it's worth and hope they don't find anything else wrong with it! The last 2 weeks have been a nightmare.
