Urgent help with car please

[Doctorfern]

Hi - I have a second car garaged in dry conditions in Spain. The car has been off the road for almost 4 years. Can anyone advise me as to how much work will have to be carried out to make it roadworthy again. The vehicle has not been moved ( so guess the tyres will require replacing - for a start !! ) Prior to garaging the car it was always extemely well looked after, with dealer servicing when necessary. I would appreciate any helpul answers pl.
Many thanks.

[Hymie]

The following advice was given recently by Honest John (Daily Telegraph Motoring Agony Aunt), in answer to a question relating to a Honda Jazz, which had been laid up for 10 months, and what should be done before attempting to start the car.

�It needs an immediate change of transmission/brake fluid and engine oil. It probably requires a new battery, too, as well as fresh tyres. The brake discs might have rusted if it was not stored in a bone-dry location. Budget �1,000 for the work�

[Doctorfern]

Thanks Hymie - biggest saving grace is that if you estimate around �1000 in the UK then hopefully as is normal with car repairs - labour etc - will cost me less in Spain. Thanks for replying. Appreciated.

[Buenchico]

I had a car parked up for several years (because I couldn't afford to run it). The tyres didn't look too good but the mate I gave the car away to pumped them up and found that they were fine.

I also used to be a 'trade plater', collecting and delivering cars all around the country. I collected quite a few that had been stood for many months, or even years. The biggest problem was usually getting the handbrake off but, once I'd got the car started, a bit of alternately revving it in first gear and in reverse gear nearly always did the trick. (There was only one vehicle I couldn't get the brakes off). Even getting the car started wasn't usually much of a problem. A simple jump start was often all that was needed. (That car of my own, which had been standing for years, was a diesel Citroen BX. It started first time on a jump start and my friend reported that the battery was still as good as new).

If a car has been garaged in dry conditions, I reckon that the most you'd need to spend would be �200, to cover the cost of 4 cheap tyres and a new battery. With luck, you might not have to spend a single euro!)

Chris

[Hymie]

The figure of �1,000 was Honest John�s, not mine.

I would guess that figure would be made of from something like �250 for the tyres, �80 for the battery, �150 for the fluids and the remainder for the discs, at UK prices.

I would suspect you will find cheaper prices in Spain, provided that the parts are available.
Providing the discs are OK � it would think someone in Spain would do the job for well under �500 � but then, there are tyres and there are tyres.

[Doctorfern]

Many thanks for your answer Buenchico !
I am smiling more tonight ! Hopefully this will be the case - as I need megga bucks to transfer the car ( L.H.D ) but still on UK plates to Spanish registration ! A pricey business here, considering I have already paid tax once on it ! But thats another story!! I wont bore you with these details.
I really appreciate you answering - thanks again.

[Doctorfern]

Thanks again Hymie,
Have tracked down some good ( but reasonable tyres here) should I require them.
Shall be speaking to my friendly and helpful local garage very soon to enquire re same.
Work done in the past on my Spanish car - normal maintenance - servicing etc was absolutely peanuts compared to UK prices -so hopefully !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again for your comments.