2004 Morgan 4/4 3.0L Petrol · N800 MOR

A 2004 Morgan 4/4 presenting four consecutive MOT passes with no advisories or failures recorded represents an unusually clean roadworthiness profile for a car of its vintage, and the April 2025 test confirms this trend remains intact. Across the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 tests, the vehicle has been presented annually without a single defect, advisory, or component flagged for attention, which is notable for a hand-built sports car now over two decades old. Morgan chassis are known for their traditional construction, and the absence of any corrosion advisories on the body, subframe, or suspension mounting points is particularly reassuring given how vulnerable older steel and ash-framed vehicles can be to structural degradation. The consistency of clean passes year-on-year also suggests that any rectification work between tests has been thorough, rather than items being repeatedly flagged and ignored. The recorded mileage of 14,814 miles against a 22-year registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 673 miles, which is exceptionally low even by classic car standards. The MOT record itself does not show any mileage progression between consecutive tests, which means the vehicle is being exercised very minimally between annual presentations, if at all. Such low usage creates specific mechanical considerations: seals, gaskets, and flexible components like brake hoses and suspension bushes can deteriorate through lack of use rather than wear, and dry-rotting of rubber parts is a genuine concern on cars that sit for extended periods. Conversely, the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain will have experienced minimal mechanical fatigue, meaning internal wear on bores, bearings, and synchros should be proportionally low provided the car has been started and brought up to operating temperature regularly. Given the clean MOT history, there are no specific advisories to investigate, but a prospective buyer should still focus their inspection on the items most likely to suffer from prolonged standing rather than active use. On a test drive, pay close attention to the braking system: with such low mileage, brake calipers on a Morgan can seize or bind due to corrosion on the slider pins, and the pedal may feel uneven or the car may pull to one side under firm braking. Listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, as perished bushes on the wishbones and lever-arm damped front axle can cause vagueness and noise well before they show up in an MOT test. Check for any signs of oil seepage from the Ford-based engine and gearbox, particularly around the sump gasket and rear main seal, as standing can dry out older gaskets and cause fresh leaks to appear. Finally, examine the chassis and ash frame for any signs of movement or cracking that an MOT tester might not necessarily flag during a standard test, particularly around the suspension pick-up points and steering box mounting. Inspect the underside carefully for any surface corrosion beginning to form on the steel components, as the MOT absence of rust advisories confirms there is nothing advanced, but early-stage oxidation on a low-mileage car that has perhaps been garage-stored can be deceptive. Verify that all electrical systems function correctly, as low-mileage classics often suffer from corroded earth straps and connector oxidation rather than component failure. Confirm the service history documents regular fluid changes despite the low mileage, as oil, coolant, and brake fluid all degrade with time regardless of use, and a well-documented history will support the otherwise excellent mechanical picture this MOT record presents.