Montego Countryman, Perkins Prima - most likely for sale!

[Morris Montego]

When I took my Montego to the Wirral Classic Car Show around May time a guy came up to me saying "my Dad who lives locally on the Wirral has one too". I replied "Oh, yes I've seen that running around near Oxton". Anyway, he took my number saying his Dad may soon be selling, getting old.

Just this morning, that guy rang me, a Mathew Williams, his Dad Warner Williams. I knew the car in question looked a bit of a shed. It now seems the DVLA had clamped the car, the old guy having failed to MOT it. The necessary fine was paid and the car towed to a garage, the battery being flat. It is still sat at this garage although Mathew, the son , was a fraction fearful they may end up scrapping it..

Mathew confirmed it is a Countryman and a Prima Diesel. The Dad had looked after the car, used its 7 seats in his earlier years

I told Mathew I was interested in the car and, if not for myself, would certainly put a post on MMOC website right away. I said I would like to view the car but no time yet fixed. Mathew will speak to his Dad who MAY decide he ain't selling. Mathew did say though his Dad really getting too old to drive.

No mention of its mileage but I assume well under 1.3 million

[Jeff Turbo]

It wouldn't be worth much I expect. All depends on what it failed on

[Morris Montego]

I don't so much think it actually failed its MOT - He forgot, failed to get it MOT'd

[Morris Montego]

It would have been no more than twelve months ago that I last saw it out and about on the road - But who knows, he was perhaps driving without MOT at this point, not wiflully but forgetfully.

[Morris Montego]

.....an update, a further call -

Initially, it had been a "forgot to MOT it" BUT a subsequent test has seen a big fail! - The usual wheel arch corrosion and engine smoking badly (valve stems?)

Still, I'm off for a viewing at 18:30......

[Doctordiesel77]

.....an update, a further call -

Initially, it had been a "forgot to MOT it" BUT a subsequent test has seen a big fail! - The usual wheel arch corrosion and engine smoking badly (valve stems?)

Still, I'm off for a viewing at 18:30......

Smoke could be due to being driven too carefully, soot builds up in the exhaust, then gets blown out on the full throttle emissions test. Usually cured by adding a tin of whatever brand of diesel smoke wonder cure comes to hand (Forte used to be the testers favourite) and giving the car a good thrashing, if that fails adding 10-20% cooking oil to the fuel generally works.

[Morris Montego]

Viewed 30 mins early.....

Pictures will follow......but just for now.....

Mileage - 142k
Wheel arches already done, replaced but sills need attention, were MOT failure. Worst on rear doors, driver's side especially with a couple of holes.
Front valence, bumper dropped
Only slight cracks in facia.
Headlining totally intact but covered in mould.
Door cards coming adrift.
Passenger side rear door - window dropped and held up by screw against winder.
New battery, started cleanly, immediately. Smoking but not as bad as I expected. He again said valve stems.
Central locking works all round when driver's door button operated but he had a key which only seemed to fit ignition, tailgate. He will be speaking further with his forgetful father.

I will be speaking to the garage it is currently with for more detail. I have their business card. Apparently though they say it will cost £2,200 to get it through its MOT.


Registration number M62 XCM

[Doctordiesel77]

Looking at the fail sheet on the internet ( https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk ) it does seem to need a fair bit of welding, I'd be quite surprised if the valve stems are the cause of the smoke, unless it has been clocked in a big way! Could be a cheap runabout if you did the welding yourself I guess the garage don't want the job as there are a few unknowns in it...

[Morris Montego]

Just looked at the fail sheet myself - restoration is a BIG job!!
I was vaguely considering two Montegos on the drive......but I think not.

[zephyr]

How can this car pass its MOT on May 21st 2025 then do 32 miles and fail so spectacularly on 4th September 2026? Especially as the fail items on September 4th fail weren't even mentioned on the advisories 32 miles before in May 2025? I bought my 1.6L auto with an advisory for seat belt mounting area corroded and my MOT man and myself couldn't find what the issue was and, unless some invisible mending went on, which i doubt, it hasn't been mentioned since. I believe that a "modern" mot man would now see a bit of surface rust and either advise on it or fail it outright if within a foot of a seat belt mounting. One thinks one needs an old school sympathetic MOT station. All the above notwithstanding "Morris Montego"man's observations about general tidy ness issues. Has the sill damage been done between May 2025 and Sept 26 i wonder when being jacked up incorrectly. Hope Morris Montego can load some pictures; that would be great.

[Morris Montego]

I'm in a mad rush......but quickly spoken to Craig at the garage who now has the car (ARS Ltd - no 'E' ) - He too reckons Johnny's diagnosis could well be correct - "Smoke could be due to being driven too carefully, soot builds up in the exhaust, then gets blown out on the full throttle emissions test" ........and MOT tester wrong.

I too wondered how the hell did it pass previous test - rear of o/s sill had actual rot holes. Not a bad jacking issue.

[Morris Montego]

Photos....

[Morris Montego]

More photos.....

[Morris Montego]

....yet more photos

[Morris Montego]

.....possibly sending photos twice, but list my place