Morris Minor specialists - quality of service

[MollyOwner]

I realise this could be a potentially explosive subject but nevertheless one that should rightfully be addressed.

A Morris Minor 1000 was purchased last year in a private sale. The car had been recommissioned by a Morris Minor specialist for the previous owner, just prior to the purchase.

The car was sold with an MOT that was one month old and had no advisories. When the new owner had it re MOT'd it was found to have defective brakes and also ALL of the required split pins on steering and suspension nuts missing. The Morris Minor specialist had carried out an extensive overhaul of the brakes and front suspension - apparently.

Before retirement, I spent a life time dealing with the aftermath of road traffic accidents. It is an established fact that driver error is the main cause of road traffic incidents (RTA's in old currency). I sadly dealt with many fatal accidents and most likely less than 5 per cent were mechanical failure; the remainder being excess speed, dangerous driving, inexperienced drivers etc.
However, the fact remains that mechanical failures do occur and are the cause of accidents, some fatal.

We have all heard of the Arthur Daley's of this world, but to be aware first hand of a "reputable" Morris Minor specialist involved in malpractice is quite disturbing. Was this just a one off "mistake" or is there evidence of certain specialists not providing the service that we as MMOC members and the public expect.
If it is the latter then come on Morris Minor specialists - get your act together!

[amgrave]

I would suggest that missing one split pin and maybe two "might" be acceptable but that level of faults is not on . If it's who I think you are referring to it's not the first time I had heard something detrimental about them.

[firedrake1942]

I appreciate that the club wishes to protect itself from legal action and the appearance of being partisan, but if we as members of the Morris Minor Owners community are to make informed decisions about which suppliers of goods and services to use, we cannot do so from hints and innuendo (no offence to the OP , he / she is trying not to break the rules - albeit that I have seen them broken elsewhere without comment).

Surely, as you look around the net, we can similarly allow factual evidenced comment regarding the supply of goods and services ,good and bad, without fear of legal action. Fair comment is a recognised defence and it is the poster, not the club, 'all views of the posters are their own and the club does not necessarily endorse or support etc etc.' who must justify content. Such comments can still be moderated.

I have just come through a full restoration with one of the major players, having neither the time nor skills to do much of the work. Whilst I have no safety issues (thus far) there were significant and mostly resolved (amicably) quality control issues which in a professional supplier of goods and services, should not have arisen, had the concept of quality control been uppermost in the firm's mind.

Many other sites, commercial and non commercial host reviews of providers of goods and services without this apparent distaste for name and shame. For the benefit of us all, perhaps the Club should do the same. Does it have legal advice or experience that makes the current position comprehensible ? We have a wide range of professions represented in the Club. Could they assist ?

Just a point of view!

[firedrake1942]

Oh a post script. Not withstanding the responsibility of the restorer, there is of course the issue of the MOT station they use which apparently failed to spot defects.

[LouiseM]

MollyOwner - as a relatively new messageboard user, just to make you aware that I have edited to your post so that the company you are referring to is not identifiable as that is against the sites terms & conditions.

As a reminder to all, this is not the place for raising complaints about individuals or companies so please - no comments which allude to who this particular company may or may not be as we do not have the full facts here and the company has no right of reply. The OP is not the owner/purchaser of the vehicle concerned, and we have not seen any paperwork/invoices to confirm what work that was actually carried out by the company. Nor do we know what response/action was taken by the company when made aware. Plus, it seems that the faults were identified some time after purchase during a new MOT (or if not, the matters referred to are not recent). I hope everyone appreciates why the position regarding naming companies here could potentially put the club under threat of legal action (as has happened in the past), plus it is the site moderators who are held to account if we allow such postings to remain on the messageboard. Members can however raise any particular issues such as this via the club office if they wish so I would suggest that the OP makes the owner of the vehicle aware (if they are a club member).

Firedrake - just noticed your message posted whilst I was typing. Probably best if you raise such issues directly with the club office. The reasons that the rules are as they are here is due to previous incidents where traders have threatened the club with legal action due to what has been posted here so the mods are under strict instructions not to allow such postings.

And just a reminder that local MMOC branches are a great source of knowledge with regards to recommendations about where to go for any work which needs doing.

Thank you.

[firedrake1942]

Louise,

Thank you.

With the honourable exception of Rosie Hamilton, I have rarely had any joy with 'Central Office'. Your actions in redacting the post are understandable, but I still believe that the club needs to be more robust. Your points are well made as faults can develop after MOT / restoration and the exact passage of time is, as you say, not known. However 'fair comment' provides a good degree of protection in these matters as do club disclaimers.

Perhaps it could be debated at the AGM, always assuming is is quorate!

[LouiseM]

However 'fair comment' provides a good degree of protection in these matters

The problem is that previous experience here has shown that for every fair comment posted there will also be unfair comments. Unfortunately the internet is full of people that believe what is written is true without knowing all of the facts, or just want to put their 'tuppence worth' in to discussions to stir things up a bit for their own entertainment and have never had any personal dealings with the company/product in question. It really isn't fair for those who may potentially lose business because of what someone has posted on an internet forum which either isn't true or doesn't give a balanced view of what has happened, and as mods we are not in a position to know what is true and what isn't anymore than anyone else is.

Members here are welcome to ask for recommendations, and people are welcome to post them, and anything negative to say in response to someone asking for recommendations can be sent via pm.

As for raising this at the AGM. For those that haven't attended previously the AGM follows a standard process which all companies are required to follow rather than an open forum as such. However club members do have an opportunity to raise things if they wish but the club asks that questions are submitted prior to the event so that a reasoned response can be given. Details have been published in Minor Matters - please send any questions you wish to submit to the club office. I appreciate that your own personal view about 'central office' may not be positive Firedrake but I have always found Liz and her team very helpful although at busy times you may have to wait a bit for a response.

[MollyOwner]

Thank you for your reply Louise.

I was very careful not to state the name of the said specialist repair centre nor what part of the country they are based in.

Yes it was the previous MOT eleven months ago that is in question. The car was not driven post MOT and was trailered back to the owners home from the Morris Minor specialist.

I have this morning stripped down the hub that failed the MOT on brake effort ineffective. This specialist replaced the oil seal, bearing and shoes but forgot to use an o ring. And inserted one of the shoes the wrong way round! Since then the car has covered 300 miles

My point was not to name or shame (which I was careful not to do) but to raise the question as to whether the several specialist companies really are providing a safe and trustworthy service. I apologise if my post has been taken as a complaining moan, which it is certainly not meant to be.

[SteveClem]

Just to balance things up a bit, I've had 3 big restorations done at a 'major specialist ' over the past decade. A trav, a saloon and an Austin A30. Kept going back because they did a great job and sorted out the inevitable minor glitches without argument. They were a bit on the expensive side but absolutely no regrets.
And I enjoyed a few days out in Bristol.

[les]

Oh no, you've given a clue!

[MollyOwner]

I should say that the specialist is nowhere near Bristol in fairness to the company based there. I would hate anyone to think I was referring to them.
Some further research revealed five companies claiming family ties and so no further comment as to who I was referring to.
Good to hear of excellent restorations. That was the response I was hoping to hear and not a catalogue of poor service.
Kind regards to you all

[firedrake1942]

Careful Steve !! Even I could work that one out! And I enjoyed my several, long, trips to an unnamed destination just off the M4 / M32 and despite having to go back again, will keep using them.

[ampwhu]

I gave up giving my cars to "specialists" recently. last straw for me was when I put my Mercedes in for a problem that I explained to them. 30 mins later they ring ME up for advice. the reason I gave them my car was because I didn't know what was wrong with it.........

[Budgie]

I have posted in the past my opinions of so called professional restores in so much as how many times do you see adverts with cars for sale stating" restored some time ago by a well known minor restorer but now needing some welding, re spray etc." And I have been to see a few in recent times which look awful and yet has been "restored by a well known professional" only a few years previous. If a car was restored professionally then surely it should last almost as long as when the car was first made .... or even longer. or am I just being cynical and expecting too much ?

[les]

I gave up giving my cars to "specialists" recently. last straw for me was when I put my Mercedes in for a problem that I explained to them. 30 mins later they ring ME up for advice. the reason I gave them my car was because I didn't know what was wrong with it.........

Main dealers are not without fault plus expensive! I remember one one occasion I took my car to the main dealer, and was shocked at the price the guy sitting behind his desk quoted. You know what he said to me? ----- 'Most of our customers don't find it a problem sir'. Probably spent too much time looking at his shinny showroom cars and breathing thin air.

[ampwhu]

not on the same topic.

I am a skilled tradesman and learned my skills by being an apprentice. I learned how to make tea and sweep up. etc.

if I went around telling people I am an expert in a certain field I would certainly "do what it says on the tin"

over the last 25 years this has proved to be my success in business. I've never failed to solve a problem in my field of expertise.

its a shame that I've spent money on buying a Mercedes benz and their "experts" ask me for a solution .

[les]

Sorry to have upset you by my contribution.

[ampwhu]

no, not at all.

its a bit like listening to bowie and rem.

[ampwhu]

rem v bowie is like chalk and cheese

[firedrake1942]

but you cannot eat chalk ????