Buying first Moggy

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:52 pm

Apparently it has some rust on the nearside door - is this to be expected or wait for another one?

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:56 pm

also take a magnet to find the filler

look very closely at the centre cross member under the car, any rot at all spells disaster, it may have had the outer ends repaired, and if done well is no problem

check rear spring hangers, rear boot floor, and the main cills for any rot

interior is expensive to buy so make sure it is all complete
chrome is expensive to buy so check this as well

mechanical bits are cheap enough so no probs there

if possible ask the seller to take off the cill finishers or kick plates, then you can see if there is any rot in there, this is important and has had many moggie owner forking out cash to get the boxing plates repaired

also test the doors for any drop or worn hinges, movement in the doors could be hinge pillar rotted at the back where you cant see

and remeber it is a buyers market

if you had more money you could have bought mine, and i will take off the kick plates,

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:01 pm

how much do you want for yours?

Post by dp » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:18 pm

I'm in E. London, if you want someone to go with you to view the light blue car.

It seems to have been listed in Dec 08 which might help you haggle it down.

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:20 pm

Hi dp,

I am going tonight for a first look, would you be available later this week or next week (or even tonight!) to look at her with me?

CeeLou

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:20 pm

CeeLou wrote:Apparently it has some rust on the nearside door - is this to be expected or wait for another one?

Don't worry too much about a bit of rust on the door. As I said before and as Dennis has said, it is the main structure that is important from a safety point of view. Use the rusty door as a barganing point and get a couple of hundred knocked off the price then pick up a decent second hand door and get it painted for the money you saved

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:27 pm

Hi CeeLou and welcome to the board

The car looks sweet but don't buy it tonight!!!!!

You really should view cars in clear daylight, and take a powerful torch to inspect the underside.

Take dp with you

Or buy aupickup's cos it's fabulous!

Enjoy your quest and let us know how you get on

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:28 pm

yes use that as a bargaining power
lower parts of the doors can be repaired with panels so no problem

wings are bolt on, but if any rusting on the wings can spell disaster underneath

take one of us guys along the 2nd time, do not agree anything tonight, just use it to look at

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:29 pm

Hi thanks for the welocme!

I definitely won't buy tonight, I was just too excited not to go and see her at least! I would love dp to come with me... fingers crossed!

I would LOVE aupickups but a bit pricey for me at the mo....

I'll let you all know how it goes!

CeeLou

Post by **pao7psb** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:27 pm

Hi CeeLou,

I bought my first Moggie in the last few weeks, so I can give the benefit of my (limited and actually as yet unproven!) wisdom...

I don't know one end of a spanner from the other but I found Ray Newell's buyers guide very useful (you pick this up on Amazon for £7), and there is also a buyers guide on www.theminorsite.co.uk.

All the advice I had reflects what has been posted on this site - look out for the structure of the car as it seems that most of the mechanics are relatively straightforward and not too expensive to replace. I was always told not to buy the first one I saw and I think this is true, I saw a couple of what I thought were fairly rough and over-priced examples before settling on one, and seeing a few gives you a good feel for what to look for.

It is a matter of personal preference but you might want to budget for a few mod-cons if you are used to modern cars - I am looking at fitting some rear seatbelts (I have been quoted about £140 by a specialist) and putting a servo on the brakes to make them easier to operate (£250), but as I say this is a matter of personal priorities.

Having said all that...my car has sprung a petrol leak already and is off to a specialist on Saturday, so you might be better off ignoring everything I've said...

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:50 pm

Hi pao7psb... i hope your petrol leak isn't terminal!
I am back from seeing the blue Moggy, she is lovely, starts first time, heater works (v important to me!) and looks in good shape except for the rust on the door which I was prewarned about. I will go back and see it again in the daylight and take a clever person like dp with me and see if she is as good as I hope...!
Thank you so much for all your help and advice - keep it coming because by hook or by crook I will have a Moggy in the end!
CeeLou

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:19 pm

Hi folks,
I have just spotted this one

http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/iad/mo ... WWNx436728

I have emailed to find out works needed prior to MOT but does anyone know anything about her history etc?

CeeLou

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:37 pm

Hi,

To spend almost all your budget on a car with no MOT isn't a good idea. If only a few things needed doing the owner would probably have had them done as the car would be easier to sell. Cars without an MOT and in a similar condition have gone for free on this site.

If I were you I'd stick to getting a first Minor that you can drive and enjoy straight away and that won't turn into a money pit. The one in Barking looks much better value but make sure that it is checked by someone who knows what they're looking for.

Good luck!

Lou

Post by **CeeLou** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:48 pm

Seems a fair point Lou... how hard can an MOT be for a good car...?! I have asked the dealer if he is prepared to put her through it so I'll have to wait and see. You're car is gorgeous by the way

CeeLou

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:58 pm

Thanks, although my first Minor was the same year and colour as the one you've been looking at in Barking

I'm now on my 4th Minor and the best suggestion I can give is to take your time looking - don't just buy the first one you see because it's in the colour you want (although you might get very lucky and find a good one at the first attempt!). Make sure you check all the rust spots.

Incidently I live just a few miles from Barking so might be able to have a look at the light blue one later this week if DP can't make it.

Lou

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:12 pm

Any Minor without MOT is worth about £200 - £300 tops. If it's a good car and as it is been sold by a dealer it would have an MOT unless the cost would be high to get put through. I wouldn't bother unless they are prepared to MOT it for you at the price advertised - It would be interesting to note the sellers response to your questions

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:48 am

Sidney'61 wrote:Interesting, looks pretty good and looks to me like an ex-police car?

Yes it is. Reg AMP is a giveaway, and the Bermuda blue paint with black interior. Dosnt affect the value much its just an interesting history. Looks good from the pics...

Post by **CeeLou** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:22 am

Morning!

Anyone know anything about this girl?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/ca ... 5328039538

I will speak to the dealer at soem point today... just wondered if anyone recognised her!

CeeLou

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:27 am

Nice colour / trim combo and good price too

Post by **CeeLou** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:30 am

I know - that's what got me! Plus I am off to Bournemouth this weekend and these guys are in Poole... tempted to say fate...?!!!