Cylinder Head Pull Down, Cylinder head Gasket Replacement - is it time to sell my old car?

I think Accha has covered all the points, all the best Amit, safe driving in Qatar.

The agents will always charge you more for the same job that can be done at a lower cost in the market. Also, they will change parts that may still give you another couple of years or more. That's because the parts come from their own stocks. I believe people go to agents to get their car repairs carried out for several reasons: First, they are of the type who do not trust mechanics at garages. Second, they have too much extra money jingling in their pockets. Third, the costs are borne by the company and it makes no difference to them what the costs are like. Lastly, the spares for that particular vehicle are not available in the market except with the agents.

Furthermore, mechanics who are in the market running their own workshops, also go for some spares where non-originals will perform equally well thus saving on costs. They will check with you on this first weather you wish to go for genuine parts or non-originals (commonly known as "Tejari".)

If you wish you may contact one Mr Abdus Samad who is a very seasoned mechanic. His contact number is: + 974 5535 2549. He speaks Hindi and English. Tell him you got his contact from QL and he will understand that I had recommended him. Don't disclose to him your visit to the agents and get him to check your vehicle and give you an estimate.

Just to add, when I had my car engine overhauled, I had it done at a garage and not at the agents. My car was a Honda Accord. I faced no problems at all after the overhauling was done.

Hmm so i guess i will just go ahead and get it repaired and continue using it for another year or two.. as i know all the faults of the car and what things have been repaired... going for another secondhand there would be more uncertainties.. besides it would cost at least 2-3 times my repair cost.. so for now i think i should stic to the car for a few years and offload it or scrap it for whatever value i can after that...

Thank for your insights acchabaccha, Angelo...

By the way any idea if we can get done the similar repair reliably for cheaper from outside as the dealership pricing is a bit too high i feel...

Your views??

I agree with Angelo.

When I faced a similar situation, I had the engine completely overhauled and then continued using the car for a couple of years. But when I went to sell my car, no buyer believed me that my car had an overhauled engine. The price I was getting was the same for cars of the same model.

It is true that buying a second-hand vehicle is usually a "blind buy."

Whatever, my 2 bit is worth.

If you are going to be here a year or few, and plan on buying another car. Second hand of course, I would think it better to repair your Jazz as you are well aware of the work done and its running condition. As you are repairing at the dealer, I am sure they have checked the vehicle and will advise if any other repairs are required. At the end, is it amount worth repairing or putting for another vehicle, which condition you are not aware of.

No, you will not be able to recover the amount you spend on bringing it back to running condition. This is simply because the vehicle is an old model. No one will pay attention or listen to your words that you had work done on the engine. When people buy cars, they have some expectations from the car even if it's an old model. As such, my suggestion is to sell the car, get the best value you can, and go for a car of a later model and in a better condition.

I am posting my comments on first-hand experience as I went through a similar experience a decade back.