Our cars are caught between 2 worlds. We think of them as classics, but for many, like me, they are (or should be) everyday usable. They are still reasonably common, so it it is worthwhile for unknown, nameless foreign manufacturers to churn them out, and for UK sellers to take the risk that the less-than-1in20 returns don't damage their profits or their reputations too much. Once the many have been scrapped, and only a relatively few low milers/show cars remain, they will be repaired with whatever stock remains, until a specialist (Like Rimmers) takes on the mantle of "Trusted supplier", hopefully getting parts from low volume, quality manufacturers, but even then, unless they have serious competition, it could be a case of "take it or leave it, - it's our rubbish or nothing."
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