Don't know if it's true, but I had heard that that particular DC-10 was not "economically viable" not only for fuel/maitanence etc. reasons, but more importantly it was uneconomical to repair the broken wing spar it suffered as a result of a heavy landing.
Was based in Manchester during it's break up, and I was surprised that I got mixed feelings each time I passed the plane on the perimeter road. Partly excited to see the day's progress in the break-up, and partly sad at such a beautiful bird at the hands of a JCB.