Its happened! - my 2001 Astra SRi 2.2 has just developed the dreaded engine rattle. I have taken it to vauxhall who confirm that its the timing chain tensioner.
It has tax until october and has just failed its MOT on front brake pipes - I have it booked in for repairs and retest Friday 20th May which will cost £110 to put 12months ticket on it - this was booked before the rattle surfaced!
I started it up a few days ago and the rattle started and hasnt gone since - the oil is only 1500 miles old and was well topped up.
I have quotes to repair this starting at £500 (from vauxhall) for the chain and tensioner but couple this with the £110 bill for the MOT I cannot afford to repair it.
Good points are that it has a brand new set of vauxhall (OEM) coupe 5 spoke wheels with 6mm michelin pilot sport tyres that I got from a guy who works at vauxhall and was excess stock - these alone are worth £500, tyres are £120 each. (I would probaley sell them separately if I had a cheap set of steels to put on!)
It is silver, 129k on the clock, interior is very clean though the passenger seat recline cable has snapped, apart from that its in very good condition. It has front elec windows, air con, cd player (original vauxhall unit) and part service history.
If its to be sold for spares i will cash the tax in and not bother with the MOT - yours for £450, if you are a keen to do the work yourself (Benny style!) then I can keep the tax and even get it MOT'd on Friday - yours for £650
The car still runs but as your know its just a gamble on if and when the chain gives up the ghost.
If you are interested I am in Swindon and can be contacted on 07785 513 441 to discuss it further also i can e mail you photos if required.