Rust, is it worth it?!

[Rackattack]

Hi, before i head off to look at a potential buy tomorrow just wanted a bit of advice. The guy on the phone says that there is some rust on the offside sill. It's a mk1 with over 116k on the clock and registered as sorn (its in the PH classified). If any one has experienced sill rust problems is the car going to turn into a money pit! Also it sounds tappety when started in the cold, so i've been told. Cheers for any tips.

[hcanning]

Depends how much it's up for and what he's willing to accept.

How much is it up for?

[Rackattack]

Its up for £1400, he said that its priced low due to being sorn, but could be a right pain if it needs work done for an MOT. Not really what you want when buying a new toy.

[hcanning]

Too expensive if the rest of the car isn't in good condition

[MX-5 Lazza]

For a high mileage Mk1 with no tax or MOT it should be well under a grand. It's not even worth looking at for £1400 unless it's absolutely loaded with goodies (except Bill Oddie - he'd reduce the value even more ).

[Rackattack]

It has been in storage and its been flushed recently but if I was trying to sell a car i'd get an MOT on it. There could be all sorts of hidden costs straight off the bat. To be honest i was going to look at it today but the storage garage was only open for 2 hours this morning and i couldn't make it. Also on the ad it has some of the bluriest photos i've ever seen, not good for first impressions, but i guess not eveybody is david Bailey!

[OnlyMX5ives]

Most of the old ones have had the sills welded by now.

No big deal.

Tappets often make a noise when cold.

BUT no MOT = £1000 max IMO.

Even a fail sheet is better than nothing.

[Rackattack]

Thanks for the advice, it did sound like a it would be more grief than its worth.