Buying a Morris Minor for the first time

[Benji]

Hi Everyone,
I am bidding on a 1966 Moggy, never had one before and unfortunately cannot travel to where the car is in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire to inspect the vehicle for myself, as I am based in Cheshire.
Are there any members who live in this area who could look at the Moggy for me? If not, can anyone recommend a garage who would do a vehicle inspection this week? I believe the AA/RAC may do these inspections?

[ManyMinors]

Ian Allen. Minor Services, Witchford, Ely, Cambridgeshire. 01353 662485. Great chap. Knows Morris Minors inside and out. He might do it for you? Don't purchase a car blind. Not ever! Good luck with your search.

[Benji]

Great thanks, I will give him a try

[Benji]

Ian is 21 miles away from the Moggy I'm interested in so a round trip of 42 miles. Is he likely to travel that far to inspect the vehicle for me?

[Stevie R]

Your other option is if your a member of AA or RAC they offer a vehicle inspection service and supply a report for you,
When I bought mine it was located a long way from home but I made a day of it and went by train it was worth it to view the car in person

[rocco]

A few years ago I found a cracking looking XJS and paid a firm to view and inspect it for me. They did a great job, sent me a very detailed report and I ended up buying it. I think I paid around 250 quid for the survey which was well worth it. I can't remember the name of the firm but there are a few of them around these days. It may be an option worth looking in to depending on how serious you are about the car.

Here's one example but I've never used them. https://carexamer.com/location/cambridge

[Benji]

Thanks for all your replies. I will give the chap in Ely first to see if he will inspect the car for me being a minor specialist.
Can anyone give me an idea of costs for the following items.
1/ 4 x new tyres
2/. Supply and fit brake servo
3/. Supply and fit water and oil pressure gauges plus small clock and USB
4/. Supply and fit Heater kit.
5/. Supply and fit alternator.

[moggiethouable]

Google south cheshire moggies, that will take you to their facebook page, ask there and they may be able to suggest a garage in your area.

[Benji]

Thanks for the recommendation

[Benji]

I am interested in buying the Moggy advertised via this platform but unfortunately I cannot make the 400 mile trip to view and test drive it.
The current owner is based in Putney, London so are there any members living locally who would be prepared to view the vehicle on my behalf? If not can anyone recommend a local minor specialist as I'm concerned about the rust/corrosion, as it's not clear from the photos how bad it is.
I could really do with a report on exactly what this vehicle
needs to make it look presentable and approximate cost?

[rocco]

It might seem a long way but surely it's worth making the effort if you've spoken to the seller already and gotten some answers to all your questions? Owning one of these cars is a commitment so you'll want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

If it was me, I'd arrange to view 2 or 3 other cars in the area and make a weekend of it.

[les]

Buy a car you haven’t seen for yourself ————- do you feel lucky?

[myoldjalopy]

Why not phone the seller and have a chat about the car and ask him to send some photos of specific areas of the car? But an inspection in person is better, no doubt, as long as you know what to look out for.

[mikec4193]

I bought my first Morris Minor site unseen...the former owner sent me some pictures of the underside and I kind of knew it was a little rough around the edges but it seemed to be a savable project...so I had it shipped from Ohio to upstate NY and it was just what he had told it was...

I spent the next 6 months cutting and grinding and welding before I sent it on to it's next caretaker...

Talk to him on the phone and get more pictures of any questionable areas...if you like to weld (I do) you can fix anything.

Good luck with your purchase.

MikeC

[Classiccars]

Get on a train and see it rather than being ripped off and sorry.