ah but
they don't know how much I can afford.

Here's the MOT:

Headlamp units need replacing because there's no beam pattern as the lenses are so scuffed and yellowing
Fueltank strap is corroded and needs replacing
N/S front coil spring is fractured
Both front track-rod ball joints have excessive play.
Both rear brake pipes are 'excessively deteriorated'
Front brake application is uneven
Front brakes imbalanced.
A tyre is illegal

Then there's the advisory:
slight play in both steering rack ends
radiator corroded and leaking.
Another tyre getting close to the bone

They quoted £680 to put it right, but that's far more than the car is worth. I could spend the money on another car instead, but I doubt I'll get one nowhere near as good.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Tue 2 Jun 2009, 18:47, Reply)