Update - advice on buying first Minor

[rosie2]

Hiya,

Thanks to everyone on their advice on the buying of my first MM! I went to see it, but am sadly still at a loss!

The doors shut flush, there was no 'mayonnaise' in the oil after driving, and it looked pretty rust-free. The floor was replaced two years ago, and the last MOT was June 07, which gave the comment, 'rearside rear vehicle structure has slight corrosion.' It has 64,000 miles on the clock, and is for sale for £1,200.

The only things we saw wrong were a little bit of water in the boot, and the fact that it stalled during a 3-point turn (it was also incredibly noisy, like sitting in a lawnmower, but I think that's normal, yes?).

My only worry is that my partner tapped the frame underneath and said it sounded a little dull, which make me worry about internal rusting. Can anyone advise me further, and let me know how much an AA inspection would cost? I'm worried about losing it to another buyer, but even more worried about a vehicle that needs tons of repairs!

Any advice, as always, gratefully received.

Rosie.

[Orkney]

Rosie,
With all due respect to AA inspections (you can find details on the AA website) that may not be the best course of action.
You really would be better off with someone knowledgeable from the club giving it a once over for you and making a contribution to them for time & fuel.
Reason i say this is that whilst the AA inspection is great for new cars where if your not familiar with that model, a lot of what thier list covers wont even exist on a Mog, and being a specialist vehicle an inspector wont neccessarily be able to give you an accurate long term repair prognosis.
You'd in theory be better off test driving the car to an MOT place and having them do one or a pre-mot as that pays more attention to the structural and important bits which are likely to concern you and your wallet in the future.

For £1200 your not going to get a faultless vehicle that will not need some work over the coming years (unless your VERY lucky) and i know its difficult but hang on to your cash until you can get some expert help.

[alex_holden]

If the engine is unusually noisy the exhaust may be blowing (usually an easy fix). The stalling is unlikely to be anything major. Water in the boot might be a leaky boot lid seal.

The way to check for rust underneath is to get a screwdriver and poke fairly hard at all the potential rust spots. If the screwdriver goes through, it's rotten. This is pretty much exactly what the MOT tester does (except they have a special pointy hammer). The trick is knowing where to look - that's where you could use the help of somebody who has previously restored Minors.

If you decide you want to go for it, ask them to put a new MOT on it first. You could offer to pay the test fee if it passes. If the seller is confident that it will pass they should agree to do it.

[ASL642]

Hi Rosie, my only suggestion is if you contact the North London branch of the club you can get the contact telephone number from our Club Office 01332 291675 ask for Liz. Someone may be able to come with you to view the car, failing that the branch meet the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7.30p.m. at the Whitewebbs Motor Museum, Whitewebbs Road, Enfield. Our members there will be able to offer you guidance on buying and there maybe cars on sale from members who will at least know the history of the vehicle.

On the other hand you could give the AA a call, sorry I dont know the gong rate for an inspection. You can get their number from bt.com.

[Orkney]

If you decide you want to go for it, ask them to put a new MOT on it first. You could offer to pay the test fee if it passes. If the seller is confident that it will pass they should agree to do it.

Was going to suggest the same Alex BUT your open to someone taking it to a tame garage.

they have a special pointy hammer

Is that how its listed in the tool catalogues

[alex_holden]

Was going to suggest the same Alex BUT your open to someone taking it to a tame garage.

Hopefully that's not too common these days because of the penalties for a garage caught issuing dodgy test certificates. You could always ask them to take it to a test centre you trust if the seller is local to you.

they have a special pointy hammer

Is that how its listed in the tool catalogues

Actually it's called a Corrosion Assessment Hammer.

[8009STEVE]

Many years ago, I used a 3 foot long bar that was put on a grindstone every morning.

[Kevin]

if you contact the North London branch of the club

Already suggested that with Rosie's last post