1971 Morris 6 CWT VAN 1.1L Petrol · BHJ 390J

The most recent MOT, conducted on 28 January 2026 at 59,344 miles, resulted in a pass, but the record reveals a vehicle that has required significant structural and mechanical attention to remain roadworthy. The maintenance trend is best described as reactive rather than preventative, with a clear history of corrosion and suspension wear. While the January 2026 test cleared the vehicle, the two advisories for perished rear tyres indicate basic consumable upkeep has been overlooked in the short term. The more concerning picture emerges from the November 2024 failure at 58,942 miles, where the tester flagged active structural corrosion, multiple worn suspension bushes, and binding front brakes. The fact that these serious defects were repaired for a subsequent pass suggests the previous owner addressed immediate failures rather than undertaking a thorough, long-term restoration. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a 55-year-old commercial vehicle, averaging just 1,079 miles per year. Between the December 2013 test at 58,847 miles and the November 2024 test at 58,942 miles, the van covered a mere 95 miles over an 11-year period, indicating it was either stored for long durations or used extremely sparingly. The 399-mile increase between January 2025 and January 2026 suggests a slight uptick in use recently. Such low annual mileage reduces drivetrain and brake wear but raises its own concerns. Prolonged standing accelerates tyre perishing, causes brake discs to corrode and bind, and allows suspension bushes to deteriorate from age rather than use. The advisories for perished rear tyres in January 2026 are a textbook symptom of this storage pattern. A buyer must inspect the structural integrity with extreme care. The November 2024 failure recorded central chassis corrosion with two separate holes and excessive corrosion near a rear bump stop mount, though the tester noted the chassis had been plated many times. This raises the critical question of whether the plating represents a proper welded repair or merely cosmetic covering over weak metal. A physical inspection should focus on the chassis rails, body mounts, and spring hangers, checking for soft spots, fresh underseal hiding defects, or misaligned panel gaps that suggest previous accident damage masked by repairs. The suspension and steering components demand close scrutiny. The November 2024 failure listed excessively worn inner suspension arm bushes on both fronts, a worn suspension rod bush, and a deteriorated ball joint dust cover on the nearside. Combined with the recurring nearside front wheel bearing play flagged in both 2013 and 2024, this points to a front end that has endured decades of wear without comprehensive renewal. The binding front brakes and fluctuating offside service brake noted in 2024 suggest caliper issues or a seized handbrake mechanism on a vehicle that has sat stationary for extended periods. Any test drive should assess whether the brakes release fully and whether the steering feels vague or clunky, indicating the front end remains in tired condition despite passing its most recent inspection.