1983 Rolls Royce 6.8L Petrol · HTT 766Y

A vehicle of this vintage showing serious structural and braking corrosion concerns in its most recent inspection is a significant red flag for any prospective buyer. The 2021 sequence is particularly telling: a pass on 3 September carried multiple corrosion advisories on front and rear body structures within 30 centimetres of mountings, along with advisories for misting front shock absorbers and corroded brake pipes front and rear. Just six days later, the same defect profile was upgraded to a failure, with the rear brake pipes deemed excessively corroded and the rear body structure classified as having excessive corrosion seriously affecting its strength within 30 centimetres of a body mounting on both sides. This rapid escalation from advisory to dangerous failure within a single week demonstrates that the corrosion process is active and advanced, not cosmetic. With no MOT tests recorded between 2012 and 2021, the chassis and underbody have had nearly a decade without statutory inspection, during which moisture and road salts can have substantially progressed any underlying corrosion. The earlier 2007 and 2006 failures, though individually minor, also hint at brake wear, exhaust emission issues, and parking brake efficiency concerns that warrant scrutiny. The recorded mileage of 71,601 miles spread across 43 years equates to an average of roughly 1,665 miles annually, which is exceptionally low even for a luxury vehicle of this era. Such limited usage means many components will have aged more through environmental exposure and inactivity than through mechanical wear. Brake discs can develop severe surface corrosion from prolonged standing, rubber suspension bushes can perish and harden, flexible brake hoses can degrade internally, and seals throughout the hydraulic and drivetrain systems can dry out. The misting shocks and corroded brake pipes recorded in 2021 are entirely consistent with this slow-burn deterioration profile. Conversely, the very low annual mileage means the engine, gearbox, and major mechanical assemblies have likely not been subjected to significant wear, though this benefit is largely offset by the corrosion issues elsewhere on the vehicle. Any prospective buyer should factor in that recommissioning a low-mileage classic of this age often requires substantial expenditure on perished rubber, dried seals, and corroded pipework even before addressing the structural concerns. Given the severity of the structural corrosion recorded at the rear body mounting points, a thorough inspection of the chassis outriggers, sills, jacking points, and any boxed sections is essential before purchase. The examiner should pay particular attention to areas around the rear spring seats, damper mounts, and the sections where the body meets the frame, looking for perforations, flaking that reveals pitted metal, and any previous repair plating that may be concealing deeper corrosion. The braking system requires careful evaluation: the 2021 failure specifically cited excessively corroded rear brake pipes, which on a Rolls-Royce of this period will run along the chassis underside and are notoriously vulnerable to salt attack. On inspection, all four flexible brake hoses should be checked for cracking or bulging, the rigid lines examined for pitting or thinning, and the handbrake mechanism tested for full travel and effective locking on an incline. Calipers and wheel cylinders, having potentially sat unused for extended periods, should be assessed for seizure. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the suspension behaviour, as the front shocks were flagged for oil misting and any deterioration since would manifest as poor damping response, excessive float over undulations, or a distinctly unsettled ride over minor surface imperfections. Listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension, particularly over speed humps and rough tarmac, which could indicate perished bushes or worn top mounts rather than simply ageing dampers. The steering should feel precise without vagueness or pulling, and any knocking on full lock could suggest wear in the steering linkage or front wheel bearing play, the latter having been previously noted as an advisory. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without excessive travel, sponginess, or any judder under heavy application, the latter suggesting corroded or warped discs that may need replacement. Finally, listen for any irregular idling, misfires, or exhaust smoke, as the 2007 failure recorded excessive carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, and a vehicle that has stood for long periods can suffer from deteriorated engine seals, perished vacuum lines, and fouled spark plugs or ignition components.