MOT History Opinion

[Swanny87]

I am asking for the highly regarded opinions and knowledge of PH . I am after an E46 320Ci (or similar, has to be straight 6 petrol) coupe and have found one that looks to be in a good condition. I got the owner to send me the last MOT details and I am slightly concerned by it's history, especially the most recent test.

The most recent test no is: 698887134350
Reg: LD52 LHA
Most recent test advisories:

"Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

O/s/f tyre worn on inner edge

Surface corrosion rear floor pans"

The reason I'm asking this is my mechanical knowledge isn't that great. From a common sense approach, it looks like it hasn't been well cared for? (When you look at the advisories/failures for other tests)

Is the surface rust anything to be concerned about?

[Cupramax]

[Mr2Mike]

Swanny87 said:

The reason I'm asking this is my mechanical knowledge isn't that great. From a common sense approach, it looks like it hasn't been well cared for? (When you look at the advisories/failures for other tests)

It's a 13 year old car, you can hardly expect it to have no faults at all unless you are paying top money for a particularly excellent example.

Swanny87 said:

Is the surface rust anything to be concerned about?

If it's just surface rust then as long as it's treated to prevent it going any further then no. If you are just intending to drive the car without doing anything to it then probably.

[Swanny87]

Noted Cupramax:

link

[V8forweekends]

MOT Advisories are a daft lottery IMHO. I've had advisories that were on a test one year disappear the next without any attention from me.

Rust on the floorpans will need some attention - it never cures itself. The other stuff may need some attention. This car hasn't been maintained by a perfectionist nutcase (unless the items have been dealt with) but it hasn't necessarily been badly neglected either.

[Swanny87]

Thanks for the replies so far. Just to point out, I am not looking for a concourse example. I know a 13 year old car isn't going to be perfect but the surface rust is something I wouldn't expect but don't know much about.

[0llie]

Is it just me, or is NSF wing a different silver to the other panels?

[Qubit]

Honestly, I would avoid that in my opinion, for all sorts of reasons, it doesn't look particularly well cared for and is probably over priced IMO. I purchased a 328ci a while back and was the worst car ive ever owned by a mile.

[Cupramax]

Swanny87 said:

Noted Cupramax:

link

Of the rust i meant

[Swanny87]

0llie said:

Is it just me, or is NSF wing a different silver to the other panels?

Bloody hell, now you mention it...

Thanks Ollie, PH is invaluable.

[rallycross]

Advisories are on there to cover their own ass as much as it's to indicate what you will need in 6 months time, it shows they noticed something when doing the mot.

With an old car surface rust on the floor as an advisory is nothing to worry about, and misting of oil on shock is common as well, will probably be the same the following year.

[Swanny87]

Cupramax said:

Of the rust i meant

Ah sorry. No I haven't actually been to see the car yet, as I am in the "is it even worth going to see?" stage. Should I get the owner to send some pics? I guess that might be a ballache for him?

[Qubit]

0llie said:

Is it just me, or is NSF wing a different silver to the other panels?

Yep, i wondered this also. Avoid. If it were me Id find one parked outside a nice house as well as everything else checking out. Much higher chance of getting something that isn't an expensive money pit.

Edited by Qubit on Thursday 26th February 10:30

[Swanny87]

Qubit said:

Yep, i wondered this also. Avoid. If it were me Id find one parked outside a nice house as well as everything else checking out. Much higher chance of getting something that isn't an expensive money pit.

Edited by Qubit on Thursday 26th February 10:30

Thanks Qubit and everyone else, your advice has been great. I think I'll be giving this one 'the heave ho'.

[Mr2Mike]

Swanny87 said:

Thanks for the replies so far. Just to point out, I am not looking for a concourse example. I know a 13 year old car isn't going to be perfect but the surface rust is something I wouldn't expect but don't know much about.

Try buying a Mercedes of equivalent age and it probably won't have much of it's wheel arches left!

Now I've seen the pic, I wouldn't touch that. Unless it has 10 bags of cement in the boot it's been badly lowered for starters.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 26th February 10:39

[Swanny87]

Mr2Mike said:

Try buying a Mercedes of equivalent age and it probably won't have much of it's wheel arches left!

Now I've seen the pic, I wouldn't touch that. Unless it has 10 bags of cement in the boot it's been badly lowered for starters.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 26th February 10:39

[Slidingpillar]

V8forweekends said:

MOT Advisories are a daft lottery IMHO. I've had advisories that were on a test one year disappear the next without any attention from me.

and

rallycross said:

Advisories are on there to cover their own ass as much as it's to indicate what you will need in 6 months time, it shows they noticed something when doing the mot.

I've also had advisories vanish. However in my case, most of the advisories I've had merely serve to illustate the tester has no idea of some aspects on older cars and in no way indicate any problems. However, I still advise checking the issue as some advisories do make sense.

[t400ble]

0llie said:

Is it just me, or is NSF wing a different silver to the other panels?

Common issue for the front wings to corrode

Paul