Blind Man Morris
Morris Minor
Quick Buyers Guide
When it comes to Morris Minors we are guilty ourselves of being led by our hearts instead of our minds.
The information below is designed to be a quick start guide to avoid buying a rotten Morris.
If you're looking for a project car needing restoration, or at the other end of the spectrum, looking for a concours Morris, then this page isn't for you.
If you're looking for a Morris that you can purchase and drive straight away, then the tips below will help get the right the Morris Minor for you!
01
V5C
The first step before you even look at the car, is to make sure that it is registered, with a V5C and matches the car that you are viewing.
Don't accept the excuse of 'it's in the post'. If the registration documents aren't available, think carefully.
The V5C is UK specific but the need for correct paperwork isn't!
02
Spring Hangers
These are located at the back of the car. Find the rear wheels and find the leafsprings and look at the connections at either end. These areas of the car should be solid. Surface rust is OK, but there should be no holes, no soft spots and the area should be solid.
03
Chassis Legs
There are two of these and they are located at the front of the car. Find the front wheels and it's where the front wheel suspension attaches to the car. It is a box like girder going from the front cross member to the central cross member.
These should be solid with no holes or rust and well maintained, with crisp edges.
04
Front and central cross member
There are two of these, one at the front just under the grille and one found where the jacking points are under the middle of the car.
These should be solid, with the areas around them also solid and well maintained. Check the jacking points and bottom of the central cross member, as these have a tendency to rust out.
05 A
Floor Pan and Sills
This is a general look at the underside of the car. This should be free of holes, ideally painted or clean.
Use a plastic handle of a screw driver to tap underneath to look for soft or rotten areas hidden with underseal.
05 B
Traveller Wood
This is traveller specific, but check all the wood for soft and rotten areas, especially the top 'cant' rails and the bottom of the waist rails.
06
Seatbelt Mount
Sit in the drivers seat and pull sharply on the lower seatbelt mount. It should be solid with no give.
07
Doors
The doors should have even lines and shut cleanly. Unevenness or difficulty closing could suggest previous trauma or rot that can't be seen. Open the drivers door and see if it drops when you open it. Check the bottom hinge area for corrosion.
08
Battery Tray
Check the battery tray for corrosion. Lift any mats or pads under the battery. Any corrosion here might indicate corrosion further down that you can't see.
09
Interior
Check the interior for mould, dampness and warping. This would suggest a car that has been sat for a long time.
10
Exhaust Smoke
Morris Minors do smoke a bit, but what you want to avoid is large amounts of exhaust smoke on start up and continuing. The smoke could be white or sooty. This would imply an old worn engine, which needs attention.
If you have gone through all of the above, you can now start to look at the car in detail and negotiate a deal.
Don't forget to take it for a test drive!
​
And remember, Morris Minors are addictive, once you have a Morris in your life, there's no turning back!
​
Good Luck!