I had a discussion with a friend and was talking about potentially selling my Mazda MX5 (1998 MK 2), which is great fun but thinking about getting a bigger car. I had an engine replacement last August after engine failure and although it's running great now I said I thought I wouldn't get what it was worth because it has had an engine change. He stated he wouldn't mention it, which I think isn't fair for an unsuspecting buyer.
If I was to trade it in at a dealer (who would give me a low price anyway) would you mention it? I'd feel too guilty if I sold it privately without mentiong it to someone. Does anyone have any views?? It's all theoretical at the moment, as I say I haven't decided to sell yet anway.
Matt
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It's a 10 year old car that has had a replacement component. What's the issue? Why should this affect the value?
Was it a new/recon/second hand engine?
It wouldn't worry me unless you put a 1.1 engine in, or if the 'new' engine had done 200k miles compared to the car which had done 50k.
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I see your point. The 'new' engine was from a rear shunted x reg MK 2 that had done 3000 miles less than my S - reg. The engine is fine and performs great (well I've done 8000 miles on it without any problems, except for a leaking thermostat valve which I replaced).
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Don't see why people should be too worried. Why was there a new engine? If it's been something like a cambelt going, then there's a common-ish reason for major surgery. New engine could be seen as a plus point.
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There wasn't a cambelt problem (not that I'm aware of anyway). I'd had a recent service and MOT and the wrong oil (or so I'm told) was put into the engine that resulted in engine failure on junction 23 of the M1.
So therefore would you mention it or not. I've always percieved (rightly or wrongly) replacement engines as a negative as there is often problems associated after having a replacement. Would you therefore advertise it with these details or wait for someone to ask??
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I have always viewed replacement engines in high mileage cars as a plus point!
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Mention it if asked and I'm sure you'll still get a buyer. As others have said it's only the same people that think anything more than 60,000 is fit for the knacker's yard that would be bothered.
To anyone with an ounce of sense a decent 'factory engine' replacement rather than some shoddy "re-build" by one of those companies advertised on lampposts is far far better.
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For some cars you have to take the engine out to change the cambelt or clutch.
Would you mention this in a car ad (except maybe to boast about the new component)? Of course not!
Now, if it were a pre-first world war car, where the components had to be "fitted" by a "fitter", then yes, it would matter. Modern cars are designed for assembly-line construction so all parts are completely interchangeable between identical cars.
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Now if it were a pre-first world war car where the components had to be "fitted" by a "fitter" then yes it would matter.
I really do think 'hamm' would be a great verb!
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The engine was carried out by a garage in Leicester that specialises in Japenese cars and did it for a reasonable price through a friend of a friend. The mileage is only done 73000 miles on the clock and the total on the replacement is around 68000, so is still very low milage. The car has a 'full service history', by that I mean the old engine has a full service history and the subsequent replacement engine has been serviced once by me (not sure of history before that).
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I take it you changed it on the log book (I'm assuming the engine number is on it!) ;)
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That's a point. I've never changed the log book. The vin number won't correspond. Does this make it difficult for me. What should I do about that?
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Check out the DVLA website, I'm sure its easy enough to change!
Edited by b308 on 26/03/2008 at 18:20
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Thanks, I never thought about that. I've just checked and I have to phone them and they will advise me if an inspection needs to be carried out by them.
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I bought a BX16 valve with 70k on the clock and found out afterwards from the service history that it had had a new engine at 36k. No reason given. I just thought that I had a car with a newer engine. It didn't particularly bother me.
If you have the paperwork for the engine change then I don't see a problem. You have a valid reason for the change.
I would just say that you had forgotten to let DVLA know about the change. The V5 will have to go to Swansea for the change of owner, so kill two birds with one stone.
(Don't say that the cam belt broke, though, the MX5 engine is non-interferance!) :)
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The only "common" failing that an engine swap would be economical for is a failing on the first year or so's MK1's where the crankshaft nose fails (short nose crank failure). This would appear to be a shared failure of design and maintainance. where an incorrectly torqued front crank bolt lets the main timing pulley hammer on the woodruff key and wear the slot cut in the crank.
If I got an HPI check I'd compare the Reg and VIN, but doubt I would be able to find the engine number.
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