1973 Morgan 4/4 1.6L Petrol · BNM 567L

The 1973 Morgan 4/4 currently holds a valid MOT, having passed cleanly on 17 November 2025 at 83,298 miles with zero defects. That result is significant because it follows a pattern of recurring brake and fluid-leak failures that the previous owner has addressed, suggesting a reactive rather than preventative maintenance approach. The trend is currently stable, but the severity of the October 2025 failure, which included a leaking hub oil seal contaminating the brakes and a complete loss of parking brake efficiency, indicates that critical safety systems were only just brought back into compliance. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 53-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 1,572 miles per year. The record shows the car covered just 20 miles between the October 2025 failure and the November 2025 retest, confirming the car was stationary while repairs were carried out. Between 2022 and 2024, annual mileage was similarly minimal, with only 72 miles covered from November 2022 to October 2024. Such low annual use raises the risk of deteriorated rubber components, stale fuel, and corrosion from prolonged standing, even though mechanical wear from mileage accumulation is negligible. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear axle and braking system, which have been the source of repeated failures. The October 2025 failure flagged a hub oil seal leaking onto the rear brakes and a differential oil seal weeping, both of which can cause brake contamination and imbalance. Inspect the rear calipers for binding, check the condition of the rear brake discs for scoring, and verify the parking brake cables operate evenly on both sides, given the 2023 failure showed an inoperative offside parking brake. The offside front wheel bearing has shown slight play in both 2022 and 2023, so listen for roughness when spinning that wheel and check for play at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. Beyond the brakes, examine all rubber suspension bushes, tyre sidewalls, and coolant hoses for perishing caused by age rather than mileage. The horn and windscreen washer were both flagged in October 2025, which are minor electrical items but suggest general neglect of basic checks. With a car that spends long periods stationary, a thorough inspection of the fuel tank, fuel lines, and brake fluid condition is essential to rule out internal corrosion and moisture absorption.