Most reliable car?

[Theo_NL]

Our Morris Minor is one of the most reliable cars.
Question for the experts: Any suggestions (modifications, special preventive maintenance, ....) to make it even more trouble-free?

[les]

Leave it alone? (although I''m no expert)

[bmcecosse]

2nd vote for that!

[panky]

Even more trouble free, what problems have you had?

[The vast minority]

Fit headlight peaks and a badge bar
It will never break down then because you will be too ashamed to drive it
Al

[mike.perry]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Any time I give mine a service before a long trip or holiday something goes wrong so I confine myself to checkng the oil and water levels

[jagnut66]

I could suggest an alternator and a Lumenition electronic distributor but really, in this case, I agree with the above:

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Best wishes,
Mike.

[irmscher]

Just carry spares in the boot just in case

[kennatt]

One of the main problems with moderns is that if they break down,then its about impossible to fix at the road side because invariably its a management problem,and you need a code reader to work out where the fault is,and to reset afterwards.With a minor with standard ignition and fuel delivery,there probably nothing that couldn't be sorted with a couple of spanners and screw drivers.and a bit of preventative tinkering.
I had a newish citroen ,absolute nightmare with a recurring misfire,main dealer couldn't find the fault,kept saying "Its not showing a fault on the diagnostic,bring it back when its missing it may show up then". Of course by the time I got it to the dealers with a missfire.... it was running ok so "Its not showing etc............. Part x in the end.
Just been trying to remember ,in all the years of minor ownership.first one back in 1960,Can't recall ever needing a recovery.except a crash once. Sorted everything out at the road side,even a collapsed bottom trunnion in 1970 strapped it back together with wire from a farmers fence,to get back.
I accept no responsibility or liability from this type of repair, so don't try it at home folks .. but I was a student at the time and beer money was more important

[Theo_NL]

I should have expected these replies.
Just asking because my wife is asking me why I didn't buy a 'new' oldtimer, and I have to convince her the car is in perfect condition for a longer trip.

I summarise:
- do nothing (first have to get it together again)
- alternator and electronic ignition (done)
- regular oil and water check (done)
- spares in the boot (I only carry tools, oil, tie wraps and duck tape)

Without filling the boot completely, what spares should I take?

[SteveClem]

Fuses, light bulbs,rotor arm? All fit in the glove box.

[faversham999]

carry a spare bypass hose rota arm most are rubbish now

[Childnurse]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Any time I give mine a service before a long trip or holiday something goes wrong so I confine myself to checkng the oil and water levels

As someone once said to me, "If it ain't broke, you ain't fixed it enough!"

[alexmcguffie]

To me a sign of reliability is not having to carry spares. Carrying spares suggests you expect unreliability.

'Do nothing' is also ok until you have a trunnion collapse.... Cars have service intervals for a reason.

[dalebrignall]

carry a rac or aa card , if its running fine leave it alone .

[SteveClem]

I think that a sensibly cared for classic car is as reliable as a modern and easier/cheaper to maintain. Also no depreciation if bought well . Down side is no air con on a hot day but those little quarter light windows are nearly as good.

[plastic_orange]

My only breakdowns needing the AA were halfshafts and diffs. I took spares of both if I was travelling far on holiday after the first few breakages.
Electronic ignition is a good mod, but keep the old set up in the boot as a backup. Proper maintenance helps too of course.

Pete