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Advice: Buying A Non-Runner


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#1 MiniStew

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Posted 20 August 2014 - 11:55 PM

Hi all,

 

My first car was a 79 Clubman, bought for £350 in 2002 and kept for 8 years until it needed a bit more work for the MOT than I wanted to pay for. I sold it for £430 and looking at the prices now I think I could have got a lot more!!

 

Now thinking about getting another mini and maybe considering a small project. Problem is I don't have any idea about welding, engines and the like (though judging by the projects section that doesn't seem to stop a lot of people!). Plus I don't have a garage available at the minute so would consider something that might need a small amount of work to get it going (maybe at a garage), which I could then gradually improve over time.

 

I came across this mini at auction:

http://www.angliacar...stin-mini-1000/

 

For something like this which is a non-runner, what is the likelihood of getting the engine running without significant work? What I mean by that is, if I took it to my local garage is it likely that they would be able to get it going within a few hours, or is just down to chance?!

 

Perhaps it is something I could attempt myself and then try the garage option if I have no luck. Possibly it hasn't been started for 20 years so not sure if this means the engine would have deteriorated much over time or not. Basically I don't want to be stuck with an engine that's done for but perhaps that is just a risk you take!

 

Not sure what something like this would go for, perhaps £1000-£1500? Difficult to tell without looking at it up close.

 

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

Cheers

Stewart

 

 



#2 Carlos W

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 12:14 AM

I would have a go at getting it going yourself before paying someone to do it.

 

A few checks to see if the engine is seized or not, clean the carb, fresh fuel, oil, plugs, leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, points, condensor and see what happens.

 

You could end up throwing a lot of money at it paying garage labour rates as the hours will soon mount up



#3 jamesmpi

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 05:42 AM

I'm sure there must be a local mini club member or even someone on here who could help you out?

Are you able to inspect it before the auction? Carry out a few basic checks?

Assuming that the body is sound, replacing / repairing mechanicals is a lot easier than having to replace body panels etc. If the engine does turn out to be knackered you and buy replacement secondhand engines fairly cheaply so it's not all bad

Edited by jamesmpi, 21 August 2014 - 05:45 AM.


#4 Mini ManannĂ¡n

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 07:58 AM

I'd definitely encourage you to have a go at that yourself Stewart.  Ask the auction house if it would be OK to do a few basic checks.



#5 MiniStew

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 08:38 PM

Thanks all for your responses.

 

I'm hoping to go and have a look if I have time, otherwise I probably wouldn't bid. What are the basic checks on the engine that I should be doing before buying? Maybe that's an obvious question but the only thing I ever had to do on the clubman was to top up the oil and recharge the battery occasionally. It always started first time so the Haynes manual didn't get much use! The main things I learnt were that corners are fun and speed bumps aren't.

 

The other thing I'm wondering about is the lack of any documents - I assume that means no V5 but would it just be a case of applying for a new one? If it has come from an estate then I assume there is no issue with it being dodgy, and the indemnity fee charge by auctions covers for that?!

 

If I end up owning it I'll put some more pictures up!!



#6 surfblue

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 10:13 PM

That looks like a genuine un messed with car which would make a good project. The photo is not the clearest but is the rear valence missing below the rear bumper?

I would say if you were to pick that up for £1K it would be a decent buy. Good luck.



#7 lilmac77

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 10:39 PM

I agree with surfblue. Same question about the rear valance. If it really does have only 30,000 or so miles, I think only a new battery and fresh fluids would get it started and moving under it's own power. And though the pictures aren't the best, it looks fairly solid, but I can't knock on it to check for weak/rust spots. I wish you the best with the auction.



#8 pbeardmore

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Posted 21 August 2014 - 11:46 PM

Yes, the rear valance is missing which is very strange as it doesn't fit the story of the car. It cant have rusted away as the other bodywork looks OK. Perhaps a parking accident hitting a curb? weird.

IMHO "non runner" is a very broad term  when used by the auction people and could range from a flat battery to a completely seized and useless lump (bit like estate agents saying "in need of renovation")


Edited by pbeardmore, 21 August 2014 - 11:56 PM.


#9 Badboytunes

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 06:02 AM

That looks ok to me.... As far as it being a non runner, it could be something as simple as a knackered set of points. Unmolested original cars like that dont come up that often, you can clearly see it has been sat for a long time.

 

If it were me, as long as the body wasnt too bad , I would be bidding.



#10 Jordie

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 07:26 AM

Id say rear valance was damaged when removing from the barn/garage.

 

Someone probably tied a winch or rope around the rear subframe and dragged it out.



#11 pbeardmore

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 09:53 AM

thats a good theory but if they damaged it, you would still see it unless it was so rusty that they then just pulled the whole thing off



#12 Gr4h4m

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 11:04 AM

Needs a good look with underneath, as long as its not rusty, I would have a bid... the engine side of thinks is a much cheaper fix.... I'm sure there are a few people on here thinking its worth a shot and could make a few quid, depending on what is goes for...



#13 Ethel

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 11:21 AM

See if the engine turns by pushing it in gear. There's an edge below the rear bumper in a side shot to suggest at least a closing panel.

#14 pbeardmore

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 01:59 PM

be nice to here from the OP to see if he went to see it, I would love to see what its like underneath, ACA have some lovely stuff but a good 3 hour drive from where I am, must make the effort next time (Lancia Beta looks interesting but more rust issues?)



#15 David Reid

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Posted 22 August 2014 - 03:31 PM

Looks like a good buy, I just bought a 1275 s that has been dry stored since 1974, i.e 40 years. In my case the body is also really nice, but the engine is seized solid.

 

I would also take a guess that the clutch and all brakes are going to be seized solid. 






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