Bring A Trailer Reality Check

Our client bought this car and had us pick it up after the auction so we could go through it for him. Much to my surprise, I was unable to engage reverse to back it out of the trailer ON MY FIRST DRIVE! I shut off the engine, engaged reverse, and backed out the car, but the engine has to come out to repair the clutch.
Crowd sourced information on auctions doesn’t always have the best focus… And it makes a lot of sense to ship your auction win to a specialist...

[@NYCS19339]

It's a beautiful car. I would have expected all of these issues.

[@johnpearson492]

I've sold four cars on BaT and purchased one. It's not a perfect platform, but I give it credit for insisting sellers have high quality photos and most ads have far more photos than the typical ads on websites like eBay, craigslist, Facebook... I've not really found any platform that guarantees a quality car, but I've also never gone in with the expectations of any car being perfect. I also give credit that bring a trailer at least gives the opportunity for good conversation. The vintage BMW I recently purchased had the badge on the trunk lid in the incorrect location, that is a typical sign of paintwork. Indeed the seller chimed in shortly after the comments saying that they had to repair damage from a garage door. There are many people that wouldn't know to ask that sort of question.

[@jofus3604]

What buyers of these cars have to understand is the age is more important than the miles! At 67 yrs you have to assume that anything rubber needs to be replaced! With the straight body and interior in this car it deserves a frame up restore! The price you pay is for the rarity and scarcity not so much the mechanical condition. It's a passion, not an investment! I think the price has dropped so much on these cars is a generation thing! From about the 80's all they know is point and punch and OMG, no A/C! I would love to drive something again that has "feel"! You have to have it moving to steer it, run over a dime and know whether it's heads or tails... LOL! I'll be 76 in a few days, been driving since I was standing in my Dad's lap. When I was big enough to reach the pedals he told me learn to "drive out of it", never depend on the brakes! You know the feeling! A great video! Anyone buying these cars certainly needs talk to someone like you! Thanks,

[@stevehughes2133]

This car is almost 60 years old, cut it some slack !! Yes, some parts are worn and need replacing, so? Main point, it's nice and original. Want a perfect car? Go buy a new one. Old british cars are for mechanic owners and are always a work in progress.

[@kjpatterson1453]

Just my opinion, people are spending too much on BaT. Quality of cars has dropped a lot in the past year or two. Lots of comments on what a car is worth, but the guys commenting aren't bidding... just hoping to pump price up in some cases because they say they own the same car.... I bid up to what a car is worth - no more. Makes no sense to start out in the hole on any of these machines.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

BAT, sadly, sets the bar far too high. My opinion is that you have to be a fool to buy from an online auction. . Also, too many BAT stories.

[@rexkars6740]

I’d do a little more digging before pulling the engine. The clutch hydraulics were just replaced including the hose to the secondary, so might have some air left in there. As you know, the bleeder is nearly inaccessible, so I unbolt and block the cylinder in order to bleed. The pilot bushing you could have easily checked when on the lift by turning the driveshaft when in neutral. Hope you got new tyres on order!

[@bugeyeguydotcom]

Thanks so much for your comments! (New radials are already installed), and we have tried a new slave and proper bleeding. Surprised that the clutch is still not fully disengaging. We had a similar issue once before where the pressure plate was defective, and dragging just enough to prevent non synchro gear engagement. Will know more next week! Thanks for your suggestions!

[@robertverhasselt2412]

“Par for the course” about sums it up. No unexpected surprises on this old car.

[@MattMatt77]

I just want to add to this you don't know how many times I had a seller flip out on me because I would say that I want to look at the car personally before I make a bed or I won the bidding and I said if it's not up to the standards of your listing I'm not transferring the money. I find it very odd nowadays people are very willing to just throw their money out. But then complain later about what you're getting

[@howardscott7521]

Its a British car. All of those issues were standard equipment when new!😀

[@duncanmacrae6384]

No matter where you buy, Caveat Emptor! Bought two cars on BAT, Mercedes 240D, seller didn't disclose it has a worn out engine. I should have looked closer at that when picking it up. 1969 Camaro, almost perfectly as described.

[@fredbeverton553]

It’s not just British cars that have problems, I drove a 1966 Buick Electra across America and had to get a new prop shaft in Memphis

[@joeschreibeis1601]

Had the same experience of not disclosing problems…

[@rescue270]

Probably nothing wrong in the bellhousing. Clutch master cylinder is leaking internally and slowly engaging the clutch.

[@Mercmad]

I agree. The clutches on these cars generally only slip as they get old. and nothing much else ever causes a problem. Pumping the pedal says everything.

[@rescue270]

@@Mercmad My sister has an Alfa Romeo that was doing that.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Typical of on line auctions.

[@sparkplug5481]

NEVER buy any car without inspecting yourself in person ….problem solved!

[@peterpowder8546]

Dear God, David, the car is nice on the top, but absolutely awful looking everywhere else! If mine looked like that underneath, you could’ve never sold it to me. 😊

[@ralphdeex6671]

Purchased my sprite on line from BugEyeGuys. It was well vetted and represented. I have been making happy upgrades for several years now. Alas, still drips oil!

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

Not out yet !!! 🤪

[@Andrew-vx2ls]

I think you are being far too polite (I have not seen the BaT listing). This car needs a full restoration which (on a more positive note) can probably start from a good base.

[@caseytailfly]

I disagree, it depends on the what the new owner wants to do with the car. Also a full restoration on a midget costs many many times the value of the car. This could be a very nice driver in preserved condition. The underside could use some love but it looks like it has good bones.

[@donbaronoski2006]

It’s an old car. Did they say it was fully restored You want every thing like new. Buy a new car.

[@ericheine2414]

Bring a trailer sucks. Overpriced misrepresented cars. It's for suckers in a bidding Frenzy

[@jimbo3214]

If it was perfect you would be out of business.

[@vicinvesta8349]

Who in their right mind buys MGs? MG is the definition of the proverbial money pit.

[@bill3641]

I had an MG once , and considered it a hobby . Not a daily driver .

[@caseytailfly]

People like what they like. They don’t need your approval

[@vicinvesta8349]

@@bill3641 I could see it years back when you could get one for under $2K, learned how to be an expert mechanic plus body shop specialist and take it for a spin on a couple of summer days while tinkering with it the rest of the year. But this one looks like it cost new owner in 5 figures plus the owner does not look like mechanically inclined. Money down the toilet. Not my money - I dont care. Just generally SMH.