BX Advice

[NiallG]

Hello

I hope everyone is well. I'm a new member looking for some advice about my BX.

I've recently been passed down my grandmas BX, it's a 1985 BX16 TRS which has done 32,000 miles. I've recently driven it 150miles and was very pleased to find that everything worked and it was a dream to drive.

I'm looking to sell it, but it's MOT is due in 2 weeks. I'm wondering should I sell it with or without MOT? I'm expecting that some work will need to be done given its age, but given how well it ran, hopefully not too much.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[jamescarruthers]

Where's the harm in spending £35 on an MOT? You might be pleasantly surprised at the result. It must have passed 11 months ago.

[Tim Leech]

Why sell it? These cars are proper rare now!

It will sell much easier with a mot or at least a failure sheet so people know what to expect.

[NiallG]

Good advice, thanks.

I'm reluctantly selling it. It was kept in a garage all its life, and unfortunately I don't have a garage to keep it in, and parking is a premium around my house!

[Thread Bear]

Its always worth an MOT attempt on an apparently sound car. I agree, it sounds worth keeping, as you know its history. But equally it should be of interest, even with a fail sheet, if the probs are DIY. Much on a BX is, if your reasonably handy. I would spend the money and hope to recoup a reasonable sale price, if you go through with it. You will struggle to match the comfort.

[Tim Leech]

I would sort a test, a good clean and then advertise it on eBay or car and classic.

[rutter123]

32,000 miles, i wouldnt expect to find too much wrong, rust being the main issue, you may be pleasantly surprised, have a look at its last MOT cert to see if any advisories or failures are on it and use this as your guide as i would think its prob only done a few miles since. My 1990 gti passed with only 1 advisory so good luck with yours. Very rare only a handful of these mk1 bx's left now.a keeper?

[jamescarruthers]

Yes, and it WILL sell being a Mk. 1 with low miles.

I sold my Mk. 1 with much higher miles but fantastic condition to a collector last year (with a full MOT) and is now nestled up with much more sought after Citroens.

I think mine went from a Car and Classic ad.

And echoing Tim (twice this week!): consider keeping it!

[Tim Leech]

What I would also add is that the reason why its probably lasted so well is that its been garaged, parking it outside in all weathers is not good as BX's do like to rust away underneath where you cant see it.

If you do decide to keep it then look for a garage to store it.

[Kitch]

What I would also add is that the reason why its probably lasted so well is that its been garaged, parking it outside in all weathers is not good as BX's do like to rust away underneath where you cant see it.

If you do decide to keep it then look for a garage to store it.

They're not that bad with rust Tim, better than many cars from that era. The only thing is that if they do start to rust somewhere, it spreads hidden out of sight unless properly sorted out.

From what I've learned so far, high miles tends to mean rust underneath (rear rails, subframe mounts, sills etc) and low miles means more external rust, less of the hidden stuff. The mk1 TRS I've got is a mess externally, but underneath (apart from the sill ends) it's in really good shape. That car has lived outside all its life, and only just come inside.

FWIW to those without a garage, I'm of the opinion that the garage makes little difference. They rust underneath in areas where the car is used, like inner arches, areas that get jacked up incorrectly (splitting the factory underseal), the little fuel breather retainer clip in the OSR inner arch...things like that. Being parked in a garage won't stop that. In fact, the only rot I can think a garage would help is windscreen surrounds and A-pillars. The other pink/red 16v breaker I have has bad rot around the A-pillars (REALLY bad!) but underneath it's absolutely bang on. I feel bad breaking it really, but the A-pillar is so bad, and the bodywork so tired it's just not economical to put it right.
But for all other areas of rot, being outside or inside won't make a huge difference. It will make a difference, but far more noticeable would be UV damage to dash and seats, faded of paint and plastics etc. The only way to stop rot totally is never drive it and leave it parked in a dehumidified room everyday

Short version - don't let a lack of garage put you off. If you want to sell it as you're not really into it and would like the money, as others have said - MOT and Car & Classic is your best bet. The lack of MoT will put lots of people off because they're cowards

[Defender110]

As all the others have said without doubt you need to get it MOT'd to realise it's true value. A good to go car with such low mileage and history (if you have it) will command top money and fly off the shelf. There will also be enthusiasts willing to take it off your hands and do the work needed (if any) for MOT but at considerably less money.

[NiallG]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think I'm going to MOT it and get any work done needed, then maybe enjoy it for a while as it was fun to drive. May put it up for sale in the future, I do have its full service and MOT history, and my grandma loved it so I would want it to go to someone who appreciated it!

[ken newbold]

Pics would be nice

[Pilau123]

My Farther had a 1985 16 TRS, could you put some pics up?

If you do think of selling PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know.

[Defender110]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think I'm going to MOT it and get any work done needed, then maybe enjoy it for a while as it was fun to drive. May put it up for sale in the future, I do have its full service and MOT history, and my grandma loved it so I would want it to go to someone who appreciated it!

Well done, enjoy it with the benefit of watching it appreciate in value unlike a modern car which will depreciate like a stone. Why be in a rush to sell it when it will go up in value not down.