Is it worth repairing? HELP!

[Elliotnina]

Hi all,
I've posted here before about my ds3 2014 diesel having a issue with ESP/ ABS lights on the dash...this has happened since I had the air bag replaced ( the recall) but citroen is adamant that it isn't related to it...since October (after the replacement) the car hasn't really been used, only occasionally "when it's warm" ( after leaving it running for a bit) and the warning lights disappeared (turning off the ignition and back on again). Citroen quoted me £2.5k for a new steering rack and I didn't allow work to be carried on as I didn't think the car was worth it...now the vehicle is at a workshop (it's been back and forth there a few times) and now they're quoting me £1200 for a new steering rack( labour included...they had already "repaired" the ground wire and said I had to put 2 top mounts..they assured me the issue was resolved and two days later the lights were back). So I've already paid for work that didn't fix the issue.When I spoke to them on the phone today and they told me about the pricing of the job I asked for some time to think...they apparently had to strip the car apart to get to the rack ECU to be able to see the serial number of the part...when I asked if I didn't want to go ahead with the work would they put my car back together ( so I could either scrap it/part exchange or sell it somehow) they replied no, they said they wouldn't put the car back together, that this "is going backwards with the job", can they do this? I don't even know if getting a new steering rack fitted would definitely solve the problem but I also know that I wouldn't get another car the same spec as mine (only 82k miles on the clock) for £2200 ( car valuation at £1000 if I was to sell it and if I was to add the price they're asking for to fix this issue...this was my train of thought)I was don't know what to do anymore...please help and apologies for the long post. Thank you.

[mickthemaverick]

It is very difficult to offer opinions about worth when your own financial situation is a very significant factor in any decision. I know of people who have spent a small fortune keeping a loved car on the road because they have a large fortune to play with. Likewise there are some who cannot afford to put decent tyres on their car for their own safety!! Thus you have to decide how important the car is to you or would you be better served by scrapping it and buying something else with what the repair would have cost? Whatever you decide good luck.

[Stickyfinger]

Legally, the garage CAN charge to put the car back together....it is "another instruction/job".

Should they say No to rebuilding it back up ?....morally I would question them but legally they can refuse any work they wish.

They have left you in a difficult position.....and that is a right bugger of a thing to do !

Cutting your losses is the best option I think, but it is rough on you....as said it is a poor hand to be dealt.

[PaulC5]

With the car in bits and if you have it put back together, all you may be saving by not replacing the rack is probably the cost of the rack since the labour cost will still have to be paid. Maybe you should ask what the labour cost is so far to help you decide. Also get them to give a guarantee it will cure the fault.

If you do have it repaired then you will probably have a car you like for years to come so consider the cost spread over a few years and if you bought another car of the same age it might have its own faults.

[Elliotnina]

Thank you all so much for your replies...the cost of the labour/ stripping it apart is £200 so far and yes I understand that putting it back together is "more" work that I'd have to pay for..I was just shocked when they said no straight away, I have been a paying customer there about 5 times by now since October with all the diagnostics and the work they assured me with a ganrantee would fix the problem (top mounts and ground wire). From the first diagnostic I had done there they always said the steering rack wasn't the problem, then ( 3rd diagnostic) they said it was the BSI that would have to be sent away to get fixed/recoded ( at this time I also asked for a quote for a steering rack (£900) because that's what citroen had pointed that was needed), about two weeks later I took the car to them again and they carried out another diagnostic which I didn't get charged for...it came back as needing a rack ECU, they rang me yesterday saying they can't find just the ECU part and that it would have to be the whole thing ...it's as if they're pressuring me to have this work done by saying "it's going backwards in the job, it'snot moving forwards", saying no to putting it back together, if it was like lego I'd do it myself! I don't even know if they can guarantee me this will work but I'll speak to them again tomorrow...again, thank you all so so much