Hmm, only just seen this! 
I'll be honest Sam, I think the 1.8 will have more issues than you expect.... It's been sitting for nearly a year now.
It still has the cracked shock plate for a start iirc, brake lines have probably rusted by now (seems common on any sit for a while) and the beam on that may not be great. Gonna be difficult choice, I guess the best thing to do would be stick it in for MOT and see what happens. Don't forget you'll also need tax which is over £100 for 6 months if you use the 1.8 though.
Out of interest, what were the advisories that were gonna be fixed at the garage?

I'll be honest Sam, I think the 1.8 will have more issues than you expect.... It's been sitting for nearly a year now.

It still has the cracked shock plate for a start iirc, brake lines have probably rusted by now (seems common on any sit for a while) and the beam on that may not be great. Gonna be difficult choice, I guess the best thing to do would be stick it in for MOT and see what happens. Don't forget you'll also need tax which is over £100 for 6 months if you use the 1.8 though.
Out of interest, what were the advisories that were gonna be fixed at the garage?