This British slang refers to a cheap, heavily depreciated vehicle at the end of its usable life. Mechanics and enthusiasts buy them for pennies to use as winter runabouts, field cars, or entries in banger racing events where they are intentionally crashed. They are characterized by rust, mechanical neglect, and zero resale value.
Heard on the job
We bought an old banger for fifty quid to thrash around the paddock this weekend.
Also heard as
- jalopy
- clunker