Close to Buying - MOT Advisories

Halkyon · 5th January 2017, 14:18

Hi folks,

I'm on the verge of picking up what I hope to be a bargain of a 2003 Rover 75 (Connoisseur SE 2.0 CDTi).

It's done about 120k miles, has an MOT until Dec '17. Advisories were a slight oil misting on shocks and some notes about suspension bushes. Is this likely to sting me in 11 months time, sooner, or are these liveable? The idea is to have a trusty British classic to keep me mobile while I take my older classic (see signature) off the road for an engine rebuild and some bodywork resto!

Rev Jules · 5th January 2017, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halkyon

Hi folks,

I'm on the verge of picking up what I hope to be a bargain of a 2003 Rover 75 (Connoisseur SE 2.0 CDTi).

It's done about 120k miles, has an MOT until Dec '17. Advisories were a slight oil misting on shocks and some notes about suspension bushes. Is this likely to sting me in 11 months time, sooner, or are these liveable? The idea is to have a trusty British classic to keep me mobile while I take my older classic (see signature) off the road for an engine rebuild and some bodywork resto!

Depends on what you mean liveable, if you like the car and are fussy, buy it and get the problems sorted, why wait until next December.

Rev

Halkyon · 5th January 2017, 14:29

Good point. By liveable I probably actually mean "not spending money".

I'm just a little hesitant as I've been stung by a rust bucket before, but the 75s don't appear to be too bad for that!

Rev Jules · 5th January 2017, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halkyon

Good point. By liveable I probably actually mean "not spending money".

I'm just a little hesitant as I've been stung by a rust bucket before, but the 75s don't appear to be too bad for that!

It depends where they were, by the coast. In which case a potential rust bucket, is there no one on here near you that could check it out.

Rev

JoeMc · 5th January 2017, 14:42

Sounds like it may need new shocks and suspension parts in the future...

But that could be next week, next month or never (in your ownership)

All second hand cars will be a risk to buy due to unforeseen issues...

If it's good enough, buy it and enjoy it, but don't expect that you'll NOT need to spend any £££ on it, to keep it on the road...

IMO, there's no such thing!

RayDar · 5th January 2017, 14:47

Yes, a dilemma. I bought one Dec 2015 at top price then, with a brand new MOT but it turned out that the rear springs were broken and the suspension arms were rusted out. There was also rust in the O/s sill. DVSA advised who confirmed it should have failed! Cost me a few £ to fix but I sued the vendor for misdescription via MCOL Court and got money back as he failed to acknowledge the claim which points to a case of collusion or at least a big back hander! For peace of mind if your not mechanical get it checked out by a MG Rover expert who knows the weak points of these cars. Hope you have better luck than I did.

Halkyon · 5th January 2017, 14:48

I don't suppose I can complain when it's only costing £700. If it lasts to the next MOT I'll be happy!

I'll get a post-purchase check from a trusted local garage immediately (I am somewhat handy with the Minor and A-series engines, but anything this century is beyond me).

squire · 5th January 2017, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halkyon

I don't suppose I can complain when it's only costing £700. If it lasts to the next MOT I'll be happy!

I'll get a post-purchase check from a trusted local garage immediately (I am somewhat handy with the Minor and A-series engines, but anything this century is beyond me).

I'm the same, having two moggies travellers and a MGB GT in the household plus of course a 75 Connie, the garage look after that one.

Halkyon · 5th January 2017, 15:16

Nice to know you're a good sort here with love for the Moggies!

I just noticed via the classified section that I live within cat-swinging distance of Astraeus, the regional secretary for north Scotland and a trader on here. Perhaps local help will be available.

suzublu · 5th January 2017, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halkyon

Nice to know you're a good sort here with love for the Moggies!

I just noticed via the classified section that I live within cat-swinging distance of Astraeus, the regional secretary for north Scotland and a trader on here. Perhaps local help will be available.

Good lad is Chris, & he's got a T4 so he can give the car a proper going over

5th January 2017, 14:18	#1
Halkyon Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 35 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Close to Buying - MOT Advisories Hi folks, I'm on the verge of picking up what I hope to be a bargain of a 2003 Rover 75 (Connoisseur SE 2.0 CDTi). It's done about 120k miles, has an MOT until Dec '17. Advisories were a slight oil misting on shocks and some notes about suspension bushes. Is this likely to sting me in 11 months time, sooner, or are these liveable? The idea is to have a trusty British classic to keep me mobile while I take my older classic (see signature) off the road for an engine rebuild and some bodywork resto! __________________ The Fleet: Morris Minor 1000 Saloon (1968) Rover 75 Connoisseur 1.8 (2002)

5th January 2017, 14:29	#3
Halkyon Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 35 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Good point. By liveable I probably actually mean "not spending money". I'm just a little hesitant as I've been stung by a rust bucket before, but the 75s don't appear to be too bad for that! __________________ The Fleet: Morris Minor 1000 Saloon (1968) Rover 75 Connoisseur 1.8 (2002)

5th January 2017, 14:47	#6
RayDar Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer CDt Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CREWKERNE Posts: 40 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Close to Buying - MOT Advisories Yes, a dilemma. I bought one Dec 2015 at top price then, with a brand new MOT but it turned out that the rear springs were broken and the suspension arms were rusted out. There was also rust in the O/s sill. DVSA advised who confirmed it should have failed! Cost me a few £ to fix but I sued the vendor for misdescription via MCOL Court and got money back as he failed to acknowledge the claim which points to a case of collusion or at least a big back hander! For peace of mind if your not mechanical get it checked out by a MG Rover expert who knows the weak points of these cars. Hope you have better luck than I did.

5th January 2017, 14:48	#7
Halkyon Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 35 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	I don't suppose I can complain when it's only costing £700. If it lasts to the next MOT I'll be happy! I'll get a post-purchase check from a trusted local garage immediately (I am somewhat handy with the Minor and A-series engines, but anything this century is beyond me). __________________ The Fleet: Morris Minor 1000 Saloon (1968) Rover 75 Connoisseur 1.8 (2002) Last edited by Halkyon; 5th January 2017 at 14:51..

5th January 2017, 15:16	#9
Halkyon Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 35 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Nice to know you're a good sort here with love for the Moggies! I just noticed via the classified section that I live within cat-swinging distance of Astraeus, the regional secretary for north Scotland and a trader on here. Perhaps local help will be available. __________________ The Fleet: Morris Minor 1000 Saloon (1968) Rover 75 Connoisseur 1.8 (2002)

5th January 2017, 14:42	#5
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	Sounds like it may need new shocks and suspension parts in the future... But that could be next week, next month or never (in your ownership) All second hand cars will be a risk to buy due to unforeseen issues... If it's good enough, buy it and enjoy it, but don't expect that you'll NOT need to spend any £££ on it, to keep it on the road... IMO, there's no such thing!