Genuine TVR enthusiasts please be aware
Discussion
Good morning
Just to make genuine TVR enthusiasts aware and suggest a proper inspection of the chassis,
also look at the mileage on the MOT history.
I bought a TVR S3 some time ago as a restoration project.
It had been to a repeatable TVR specialist who in his opinion said it needed a new chassis / major work. (common issue on older TVR’s) if you look at the MOT back in 2011 it says Chassis badly corroded, and back to 2009 the chassis had corrosion
I didn’t have the time (new job working away from home / along with kitchen extension!) so sold the car a couple of months ago.
It is now for sale on ebay …………… the guy could have done extensive work and it could be in perfect order now, however there is no mention of this in the advert.
I have had TVR's for over 10 years and done a body lift so know the hidden horror's that can be there.
MOT history of this vehicle
Test date16 February 2017
Expiry date15 February 2018
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,499 miles
MOT test number1989 7465 4157
Test date1 September 2011
Expiry date31 August 2012
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,499 miles
MOT test number6350 8484 1207
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules
Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules
heavy corrosion to chassis & suspension
Test date19 November 2009
Expiry date18 November 2010
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,483 miles
MOT test number6830 3322 9301
Advisory notice item(s)
Front brake disc slightly pitted
Oil leak
slight corrosion on chassis
Just to make genuine TVR enthusiasts aware and suggest a proper inspection of the chassis,
also look at the mileage on the MOT history.
I bought a TVR S3 some time ago as a restoration project.
It had been to a repeatable TVR specialist who in his opinion said it needed a new chassis / major work. (common issue on older TVR’s) if you look at the MOT back in 2011 it says Chassis badly corroded, and back to 2009 the chassis had corrosion
I didn’t have the time (new job working away from home / along with kitchen extension!) so sold the car a couple of months ago.
It is now for sale on ebay …………… the guy could have done extensive work and it could be in perfect order now, however there is no mention of this in the advert.
I have had TVR's for over 10 years and done a body lift so know the hidden horror's that can be there.
MOT history of this vehicle
Test date16 February 2017
Expiry date15 February 2018
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,499 miles
MOT test number1989 7465 4157
Test date1 September 2011
Expiry date31 August 2012
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,499 miles
MOT test number6350 8484 1207
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules
Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules
heavy corrosion to chassis & suspension
Test date19 November 2009
Expiry date18 November 2010
Test ResultPass
Odometer reading132,483 miles
MOT test number6830 3322 9301
Advisory notice item(s)
Front brake disc slightly pitted
Oil leak
slight corrosion on chassis
This happens quite a lot sadly. I can count two or three cars that I've had in at the workshop, and told the customers directly that their chassis is looking sad (at best) only to see the car on eBay or something a month or so later, sans repair work and no mention of it in the advert.
It's only a matter of time before I stop biting my tongue lol!
It's only a matter of time before I stop biting my tongue lol!
This one then:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-TVR-290-S-GREEN-con...
You can see red paint on the chassis in the engine bay. MoT in Feb so if you sold it a couple of months ago, it was fixed fast.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-TVR-290-S-GREEN-con...
You can see red paint on the chassis in the engine bay. MoT in Feb so if you sold it a couple of months ago, it was fixed fast.
ianwayne said:
This one then:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-TVR-290-S-GREEN-con...
You can see red paint on the chassis in the engine bay. MoT in Feb so if you sold it a couple of months ago, it was fixed fast.
My senses are always heightened when I see paint over the top of nuts & bolts......*shudder*http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-TVR-290-S-GREEN-con...
You can see red paint on the chassis in the engine bay. MoT in Feb so if you sold it a couple of months ago, it was fixed fast.
Maybe being the Devil's Advocate here but;
The car has a new MOT without any advisories, does this mean it has been tested by a 'scammer'?
The OP has pointed towards the mileage; has it been 'clocked'?
If this car is in need of a body off resto, then, it is not alone as any of the S series cars that haven't had a chassis rebuild will be suspect! However, this doesn't mean they are a wreck and not necessarily need a £5k+ chassis rebuild!
I can't believe how derogatory the S club members are about these cars? There are a hell of a lot worse cars to own and at £5450, probably will take £5k, this one can't be considered a 'breaker', can it?
The car has a new MOT without any advisories, does this mean it has been tested by a 'scammer'?
The OP has pointed towards the mileage; has it been 'clocked'?
If this car is in need of a body off resto, then, it is not alone as any of the S series cars that haven't had a chassis rebuild will be suspect! However, this doesn't mean they are a wreck and not necessarily need a £5k+ chassis rebuild!
I can't believe how derogatory the S club members are about these cars? There are a hell of a lot worse cars to own and at £5450, probably will take £5k, this one can't be considered a 'breaker', can it?
Alan Whitaker said:
The advert says previous owner 20 years
I ask the seller if it had any chassis repairs and he told me, it had been treated and painted, full MOT, must be ok?
From his advert he is obviously a 'dealer' so the car needs to be treated with caution however, when I was in the market for an S3/4 a few years ago, I visited one of the respected TVR dealers (with a windmill!) to view an S3. I could see 'holes' through the outriggers!!! I ask the seller if it had any chassis repairs and he told me, it had been treated and painted, full MOT, must be ok?
Maybe this car needs to be treated with caution if it has other issues that the OP hasn't highlighted but, if anyone believes they can get an S with a full, body off, chassis rebuild for this money, they aren't being realistic given the alternatives!!
yknot said:
I can't believe how derogatory the S club members are about these cars? There are a hell of a lot worse cars to own and at £5450, probably will take £5k, this one can't be considered a 'breaker', can it?
Breaker? No chance! You wouldn't make that back I wouldn't have thought!This issue isn't whether the car is good value or not, as that's only really relevant to the person intending on purchasing it. The issue is that cars do get advertised which conceal serious known faults. I don't know this car personally, I was commenting on previous cars I've seen advertised, but if a car is listed with serious faults that aren't highlighted, the seller is either unaware, ignorant (kind of the same thing) or dishonest. No idea about this car, I was just commenting generally.
You're totally correct, in that you won't get something that's been refurbed for that money, and again right that lack of refurb doesn't necessarily mean it's a dud, but eventually all of them are going to need one, and I reckon a good 50% of original cars on the market at any one time probably need something doing.
Kitchski said:
Breaker? No chance! You wouldn't make that back I wouldn't have thought!
This issue isn't whether the car is good value or not, as that's only really relevant to the person intending on purchasing it. The issue is that cars do get advertised which conceal serious known faults. I don't know this car personally, I was commenting on previous cars I've seen advertised, but if a car is listed with serious faults that aren't highlighted, the seller is either unaware, ignorant (kind of the same thing) or dishonest. No idea about this car, I was just commenting generally.
You're totally correct, in that you won't get something that's been refurbed for that money, and again right that lack of refurb doesn't necessarily mean it's a dud, but eventually all of them are going to need one, and I reckon a good 50% of original cars on the market at any one time probably need something doing.
''The issue is that cars do get advertised which conceal serious known faults''This issue isn't whether the car is good value or not, as that's only really relevant to the person intending on purchasing it. The issue is that cars do get advertised which conceal serious known faults. I don't know this car personally, I was commenting on previous cars I've seen advertised, but if a car is listed with serious faults that aren't highlighted, the seller is either unaware, ignorant (kind of the same thing) or dishonest. No idea about this car, I was just commenting generally.
You're totally correct, in that you won't get something that's been refurbed for that money, and again right that lack of refurb doesn't necessarily mean it's a dud, but eventually all of them are going to need one, and I reckon a good 50% of original cars on the market at any one time probably need something doing.
Are you suggesting that an MOT tester would pass a car with an obvious rotten chassis??Surface rust is one thing but holes in the tubular chassis frame are another matter and I don't believe a garage with an MOT testing certificate is willing to overlook such issues and either fail it or flag as advisory! This one clearly has had a history of MOT advisories with regard to corrosion but is/was it a failure ....... no!
OK, you can't see all the corrosion in inaccessible areas so are we to assume that unless it has had a 'proveable' body lift chassis refurb, all these cars should be treated with suspicion? If this is the case then this will apply to all TVR's the vast majority of which, are perfectly serviceable cars for the 'high days and holidays' enthusiasts.
The delightful feature of the S though is it doesn't have a body that rusts!! Compare that to an MG, TR, Healey, etc.!!
yknot said:
Are you suggesting that an MOT tester would pass a car with an obvious rotten chassis??Surface rust is one thing but holes in the tubular chassis frame are another matter and I don't believe a garage with an MOT testing certificate is willing to overlook such issues and either fail it or flag as advisory! This one clearly has had a history of MOT advisories with regard to corrosion but is/was it a failure ....... no!
OK, you can't see all the corrosion in inaccessible areas so are we to assume that unless it has had a 'proveable' body lift chassis refurb, all these cars should be treated with suspicion? If this is the case then this will apply to all TVR's the vast majority of which, are perfectly serviceable cars for the 'high days and holidays' enthusiasts.
For your first point, you're assuming the tester has SEEN the corrosion. You have to go looking for it, which often involves removing things. Testers aren't allowed to do this. OK, you can't see all the corrosion in inaccessible areas so are we to assume that unless it has had a 'proveable' body lift chassis refurb, all these cars should be treated with suspicion? If this is the case then this will apply to all TVR's the vast majority of which, are perfectly serviceable cars for the 'high days and holidays' enthusiasts.
For your second point, erm, yes! If the car hasn't had a decent documented chassis restore, you absolutely HAVE to treat it with suspicion. If you inspect it and it all checks out, then great! Otherwise, the old tale that suggests there are two types of S: Those have had the chassis done, and those that need it. It's not absolute, but it's not far wrong if you regard a car rusted enough to need some attention. The S is a relatively low value car, and many people having been spending the money maintaining them over the years, so you always have to go in eyes open.
yknot said:
are we to assume that unless it has had a 'proveable' body lift chassis refurb, all these cars should be treated with suspicion?
Absolutely, yes. At the age our cars are at now, if it hasn't had major chassis repairs then it probably needs them, or will do in the near future.yknot said:
......The car has a new MOT without any advisories, does this mean it has been tested by a 'scammer'?....
My Tasmin had a brand new MOT on collection. It had:-Seized front caliper & badly scored disc.
Binding rear brakes.
Ineffective hand brake.
Faulty lights.
Blowing exhaust joints.
Cracked fuel tank.
Flat battery.
One missing wheel nut on each wheel.
Plus lots of other minor things which could/should have failed it. Phillpot had helped me look it over so I knew pretty much what to expect and took the MOT as worthless. The guy was emigrating to Australia so he should feel right at home
The testing station is in Birmingham and every town and city will have it's share of cowboys and villains
Buyer beware!
At the end of the day its buyer beware. If you are on PH you will know where and what to look for, if not and you don’t know the S you will be at risk especially if you are looking at a car with a new MOT and no advisories.
If the car was sold only a few months ago with a badly corroded chassis it is possible it could have been repaired as none of us has seen the chassis or know what the rusty bits were when it was sold by wizz65. I see from wizz65 first and only post the mileage at 2011 was 132499 and the same at the new MOT. I would like to know from wizz65 what the mileage was when he sold it.
You can not say the MOT is dodgy or the seller is trying to get one over unless you know for sure all the details.
If the car was sold only a few months ago with a badly corroded chassis it is possible it could have been repaired as none of us has seen the chassis or know what the rusty bits were when it was sold by wizz65. I see from wizz65 first and only post the mileage at 2011 was 132499 and the same at the new MOT. I would like to know from wizz65 what the mileage was when he sold it.
You can not say the MOT is dodgy or the seller is trying to get one over unless you know for sure all the details.
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