In article , Oliver Keating wrote:
If second hand car prices were kept a little higher, then
people would keep cars longer before scrapping them. It only
takes a £200 repair to a 10year old car and its off down the
scrap heap - what a waste.

I think that one of the troubles is that it can be a lot more
than £200. My first car, a 1962 Mini, was far from reliable but
cheap and easy to fix. My more recent cars, all bought new,
have been 100% reliable but looking under the bonnets confirms
that this is now dealer territory only. A read of Honest John's
Q&A in the Saturday Telegraph suggests that more than a few
people are picking up near £1000 bills for cam belts, catalysts
electronics and other things on 4-5 year old cars.

--
Tony Bryer