I Bought a Car SO EMBARRASSINGLY BAD, I Hid it From You for A YEAR! This is it...

[@JayEmmOnCars]

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[@mcspooney]

give the drivers window some silicone spray. the rubbers just dry out. if not its the mech.

[@ThunderChunky101]

The story about your sister saying "no thanks!" 😂

[@pgtmr2713]

"A state" wagon. You should do this more often. It seems like it turned out well. The v6 one sounded decent in the video clip. Cheapest MG in the country, sight unseen. Will it make it x kilometers? Leave the nice shirts at home. Would make a fun video to do it at least once. Ooh, I can feel the anxiety and excitement now. Maybe bring Number 27 along?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I bought a Mustang I think they removed the warning lights....it had over 5k of problems (which I declined to have fixed), thankfully I traded it for a 98 Sentra someone wanted to sell for $2500....that car has been reliable and gone thousands of miles since. They wanted the Mustang for racing so they did not care about the problems.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

If I every visit the UK for more than a layover, you are gonna have to let me borrow that MG. Wish we got any of those 3in America. Maybe when I move from America to Sweden in a few years, I will buy a cheap ZR as a project car (pre-facelift...they look so much better).

[@Thanos.m]

Sorry to hear abour your experience James. It is rather unfortunate this sort of people ruin the Facebook owner groups hopefully the car proves to be better thereafter.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

On the plus side it made for a great story - I was enthralled throughout.

[@thetopguy7618]

Never mind

[@MattExzy]

I browse Facebook car ads as bit of a twisted hobby. I love all the ones that read like 'just a few minor things, I have all the parts, I just haven't put them on...' - well why not. You've bought the parts, you know what's wrong, you're so close to the finish line. A sea of empty promises.

[@trumpstinyhands]

@@MattExzy “east fix, part supplied” 😂😂

[@julesviolin]

LOL James thanks for the mention and I do apologise for putting us both through that!! It certainly was the worst challenge I've ever taken on with the 75ZT's I specialise in. One reason it was here for a year is that every job on it took twice as long as normal because of the previous bodge monkeys, so it ended up being worked on between all the other projects here and inbetween the day jobs owners travel here for which I do while they wait. I suspect I saw it through rose tinted specs initially and the MOT items didn’t seem that bad. A lot of things had been bodged like for example a brand new ABS sensor on the rear had been fitted. Great I thought and then began to waste another hour or so tracing a ABS line fault according to T4 diagnostics. I then decided to remove said new sensor only to find the new sensor bit in the hub had been hacksawn off because the bodger couldn't get the old piece out he though it would cure the fault just by sticking the lead through the hole ........I kid you not 😅 What a racket on the way to the MOT. 3 wheel bearings were very loud ⚠️ But we got it through with a clean sheet except for an orange bulb which wasn't orange enough (a pet hate of my tester 🙄) Then because we were 30% into the project it was kind of a point of no return then and I would then send 5 jobs a week to James which needed attention (prices given) and Jayem kept saying Go Ahead !! And the list got longer & longer until I ran out of steam ! I said to Jayem just come and fetch it, use it and see if you want phase 2 next year. Entertaining vid and channel BTW keep up the good work. Jules

[@Kyuzeth]

Thank you for your effort and diligence to keep these cars on the road, good sir. I think that has to be said. It's also been enlightening to read up on some additional details behind the work you've done on this specific car!

[@Bobbob-qe7pf]

Jules is an absolute legend in 75 and zt circles -from 400 miles away helped keep my 75 on the road.

[@brutusoftroy2810]

He gets satisfaction out of putting a machine back into good order and saving it from the scrapper, hats off to both of you.

[@LawrenceTimme]

Lol, doesn't sound fun

[@brentfairlie9159]

Sir I appreciate your work and integrity. Wish you were new Zealand based. Then I would happily own another one of these. Cheers

[@eagle_and_the_dragon]

Definitely a punishment from God; one cannot have this many MG Rover products!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I reckon so

[@BRAINFxck10]

Damn I hate when the first comment spoils the reveal

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

​@@BRAINFxck10why would you read the comments first?

[@ThomasEdward]

Once you have rover/mg bug you never own one you got have at least 4 I’m currently doing up rover BRM but also have streetwise and two ZRs

[@jayfo4950]

I worked at Longbridge from 1990 until the very end, lots of happy memories here… I remember shipping the 75 line up to Birmingham after ripping the R50 mini line out. Thanks for the great video…

[@Sie84yv]

Congrats on the much more relatable car purchase. I'd love to see more content such as road trips on this cheap, fun, and practical little thing!

[@RERM001]

Greetings from Memexico! Yeah, Facebook’s marketplace is a meme among car enthusiasts here and in the USA as well. Most people selling don’t know what they have or are out of their minds on pricing.

[@ktclm0617]

No issues here, move along please…..lovely thing once sorted.Good on you JM and God help you! 😮

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Ah that's interesting...! I too bought a ZTT in the same colour, mine was a petrol V6 but it turned out the car was a dog with the engine built out of two different V6 units. Made getting a cambelt / waterpump a total disaster. I really like these ZTs, especially with the diesel engine. Good buy, nice to see a humble car here!

[@martinlaver007]

Possibly the most sensible car you’ve bought for a while! 😉🤣 Well done for taking it on and getting it up to snuff!

[@mrdainase]

Jules is a good egg so at the very least you can trust the work he has done is bob-on. The luke-warm heater is probably down the to the thermostat on its last legs, it is a bit of a pain to replace. Steering vibration could be anything from rear engine mount, shonky tyres or one (or both!) of the driveshafts, seeing as you've got new boots and a mount then you can guess what you will be looking at next. And join the owners club, it's free.

[@bernardmackle6900]

Agreed, Jules is indeed a good egg and got my 75 running perfectly, along with good humour and is also rather handy on a fiddle!

[@amniote69]

When our host started talking about 80s Rover group cars, my mind sprang to the Morris Ital. It was as aesthetically challenged as it's name might suggest but if I remember correctly, it had Honda underpinnings and so was mechanically quite reliable.

[@dobbo4596]

Almost skipped this one James .., but was a good watch and a laugh and a reminder of a couple of similar car purchases many years ago 😅

[@barneyrubble9309]

Not as embarrassing as that shirt 😮 Surely you can find the previous owner from the V5C?

[@chrisdooley1184]

Aww come on he’s living his best 90’s Duran Duran concert attire life 🤣😆

[@JayEmmOnCars]

There were several pieces of old V5 in the car - I had to apply for a new one!

[@The0rs]

I don't think you get a V5 with a shirt.

[@vincentkr3w]

The story😂pure gold. Love how you still get enjoyment out of such cars whilst having access to all the heavy hitters!

[@jamesmitchell7129]

If it's any consolation, when I pulled up to deliver some food to you the other day the first thing I said to myself was that's a cool MG

[@Tom-jb5iu]

Sorry about your experience, James, however, your pain is our gain in this case as I found this video incredibly funny and entertaining. Cheers!

[@SiCrewe]

It's a paradox that cosmetic condition is probably the least important aspect of reliability but it's one of the MOST important criteria for buying a used car. I mean, you can always repair/replace mechanical parts and end up with a nice car but a rusty, dented, car is probably always going to look rough (unless you're prepared to spend a LOT of money) regardless of how well-maintained it is. Point being, a clean-looking ZTT for £500 was probably a smart purchase, even if it had a bunch of mechanical/electrical problems that needed fixing.

[@branemadder]

Had the same thing happen to me with warning lights on a BMW. The bodge job done on the IC must have taken them longer and ultimately cost even more to fix than the actual problems. Maddening.

[@pageant1fd]

At your expense , sorry, but I really enjoyed that. Thanks for bravely sharing!!!

[@benprattyt]

Just bought a trophy yellow ZR 105 for £520, was reassured by watching your video on one. Not bad to say I'm 16. Although it does need more work than the seller said

[@memsybabe]

I really liked the green one you tested. Looked kinda classy. Of course, this is a nice one too, just think I'd prefer it with silver wheels instead of the grey/black ones it's currently on...😏

[@aveedub7403]

I agree with you on the wheels, the grey kind of makes the cars metallic blue paint a bit dull imo, silver would make it pop more!🙂

[@t5jerry]

i used to own that green one......................

[@oojimmyflip]

They were a 150 quid a set what you want gold plated rims for that?

[@comcarclub]

People like to sh*t on Rovers but they're good cars, even with the foibles that come with them, I'm glad to see the surviving ones go to enthusiasts who will save them. As for the ZT-T, I think it's a cracking purchase, I wouldn't mind one myself.

[@wacholder5690]

Each car has its own personality - as do have the owners. If it runs reliable and economically bearable ... so what ? Most modern cars are filled with stupid "functions" but are otherwise boring. This one has its quirks but otherwise does what it is supposed to. Remaining works means still being busy with it. "Finished projects" tend to move into the background, so carry on the work. Thanks for saving this one from the crusher, thanks for the good job Jules did and thanks for sharing your experiences and feelings !

[@albanana683]

The disabled warning light trick is not confined to 500 quid purchases off the internet. I spent rather a lot of money at a specialist Jaguar dealer for an XJR-S. The warning light present on the test drive i was assured would be fixed on delivery. I subsequently found the warning light had been removed and the wire linkning the engine ECU to the error display had been cut. It cost the dealer a lot of money to fix the real problem whicht was a faulty Zytek ECU. If i didn't know how the error code system initialised on start up, they would have got away with it, untill something very bad happened.

[@costafilh0]

What a great idea! Having a “humble” car for all those times people ask to borrow a car lol

[@Segafishy]

It sounds like the old I'm not really a private seller, I'm a dealer trick, probably via a fence with a fake name who was paid to act as a private seller for something brought cheap at an auction or in part ex. Sadly because the cars are legally brought its hard to catch but if you spot one do always name and shame.

[@coalhouse_walkerjnr4735]

LOL! This is a classic video! Loved it! Hope you enjoy the car half as much as I enjoyed watching! Keep up the good work. 👍

[@sharg0]

Had a Rover 75 with the small V6 as rental a couple of times, seriously consider it as company car but ended up switching job. But yeah, drove really nice and comfortable and for what they charged for them at the time really good deal.

[@ML-ws6ce]

What a story...... but what a nice car. Have fun with it!

[@timelwell7002]

Just in case anyone needs to be reminded, buying a car sight unseen is risky at best. I did that once and had ample reason to regret my rash action. I cannot see myself ever doing that again, or at least I might, but ONLY IF I first paid the AA to do a comprehensive report on the car in question, prior to purchase. At least in this case James had the necessary wonga to pay for the various repairs to be undertaken. But if you're buying on a tight budget, I'd recommend that unless you yourself are mechanic, that you get an AA report on said vehicle, if it means you don't end up throwing good money after bad. My only other observation is that the same car which James reviewed (the green one) looks far better than this one. For some reason I've never understood, some colours suit certain cars, and other cars look naff in that same colour. It's not an unpleasant shade of blue in and of itself, but to my eyes it looks awful on this particular car. Sorry James, no offence indended..!

[@DlStreamnet]

Oh, and on the petrols, the lid of the fuel sender (I think?) comes undone and stops the car sending spark. A really odd but super quick fix if it ever happens - lift the rear bench and pop it back on!

[@ryanhoffmann9341]

I would think that knowingly disabling a safety system like that in a car is an outright crime. Especially with the ABS system.

[@TimWhitehead-o5s]

Where I walk my dogs a gentleman has one he keeps behind locked gates undercover, while he keeps his Mercedes C43 on the drive , I asked him once , are your cars not stored the wrong way around , he said he would be more upset if the MG went

[@robbell4339]

The “WTF” registration is probably exactly what you were thinking when each of these extraordinary problems were identified!!! I had an 03 ZTT CDTi for over 15 years - they’re brilliant and the only reason I sold it was because of ULEZ. And I now miss it

[@theminiatureconstructionco4556]

My brother had a ZT and loved it. 👍

[@johnshaw8013]

Removal of those dash bulbs should have been picked up at the MOT bay as they light up momentarily when you switch on the ignition. So likely dodgy MOT history!

[@nelsonclub7722]

I seem to be making the same mistakes as Sir James - the Z75T Estate was brilliantly fast but drank like a thirty fish and the tires lasted five minutes - the 75 V6 auto which I had later came with a pipe and slippers and was much slower than the T but still had the same drink problem which is not where it problems ended as it was maroon with grey velour.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

Nice one James looking forward to the ZR resto.

[@GryphLane]

Always got a soft spot for a big blue barge and I'm glad you saved it. It's just a shame you were treated so poorly. People will say anything to get their car off someone else's drive.

[@MrSonicAdvance]

I like the ZT, so I'm glad you saved it.

[@cryptotharg7400]

It's a minefield, out there. So many artful dodgers, and lairy geezers!

[@rommac1907]

Very cool video, loved all the details of the "restoration" and I think you should have left Jule's contact in the description in case others wanted to try a similar experience ;) I remember trying a ZS 180 in 2002 in Montlhéry with a few other cars and it left me a very good impression (1st gen OPC Zafira was also a very good memory from this day). Sad to see so little left in goodish condition. Now you need a ZT V8 :D

[@LawrenceTimme]

I when to see a £500 Toyota celica in Birmingham once and it was way way worse than this rover. Luckily I walked away. Glad I went to see it rather than getting it collected

[@WPD77]

Love the WTF number plate, heater not getting hot will be the thermostat, Jules will tell you the fix.

[@NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek]

Very Entertaining!!!! We’re I A Mechanic, I Would Consider Locating Near You!!! KEEP THE F12!!!!!

[@Jonoponomono]

I love it that your sister turned it down. lol.

[@timk3939]

Not sure if it can be this simple, but on BMWs the batteries can need coding in when they are replaced, and many need calcium "maintenance free" batteries. My F56 also has a battery charge or voltage sensor, I think it's a separate module to the alternator, probably in line with the battey cables somewhere under the bonnet. The front wishbone lower bushes (lollipop bushes) were often a cause of steering wheel play on the E46, and also the steering coupler (the one next to the gearbox not the in-cabin one), so maybe sometihng to look into on this one. The 75/ZT were a quality car and it's great to see one being refreshed. My dad had a 75 CDTI 131 in champagne gold, a 2004 early facelift. While a total old man's car, it was a good car and was solid, well built and reliable, cosseting, nippy enough, and felt premium. I remember the air con was like an artic hurricane at full pelt.

[@howarddavies136]

I have a proper soft spot for these. I'd love to get my hands on a 260 and throw four valve heads and a supercharger on there!

[@Holdeenio]

I wondered if it was going to be that blue Vauxhall Mokka I've seen in the background on your driveway a couple of times and also in the back of some driveby shots... PHEW 😅

[@nigelwest3430]

My late father had the Rover 75 2.0D touring, it was a bloody good car.

[@subspaceanomaly]

it's nice to see Jeremy Beadle's spirit living on.

[@howardrogers1147]

Wondering if it’s the same Steven Jones who sang for Babybird🤨

[@einpercy825]

I will never get why people are like this but in the end you got a pretty nice car

[@BineGorjanc]

Cheap cars.. you've gotta love them. Or hate them. It's never really clear which is the correct emotion...

[@GerthebearBrady.]

I thought it was going to be a Micra or Murano convertible. This is not that embarrassing.

[@Cornwall1888]

It can’t be as bad as that shirt

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

Brilliant video, I really want an MG ZT diesel, super rare now in auto

[@nefariouspurplebadger]

Saved by the bell called. AC Slater wants his shirt back.

[@jamiemcalonan3804]

I had a green mg zr it was a dog of a car had to get a new engine in it. But when it work it was such a great little car to drive.

[@ollie42]

I mean .. 8:20 the Reg plate ends in "WTF" WTF were you expecting James!? 😆

[@ianmangham4570]

Been in a few rover75s and thought they were very comfortable 🤟🤠

[@gunnarliljas8459]

That green one looked great. This one, not so much.... :)

[@chrisdavidson911]

I, for one, quietly and to myself, like these. Were the missing wheel bolts the locking ones? I stopped using demisters when a friend had his rear window "explode" due to a relay/regulator/something sticking on, and it getting hot enough to shatter the glass - it was an MG ZR it happened with.

[@R-Tap]

Embarrassing? Eh, no, THIS is the ONE to have. Looks mega, lovely colour. Diesel forgiven.

[@stuchly1]

Sounds a bit dodgy? 😮 Thanks for sharing this!

[@MrCRAIGJSTEVENS]

Had a 75 cdti, was the most comfortable car ive ever driven, economical too.

[@MichaelHanna-c5i]

LOL license plate WTF. Perfect for the storyline. But seriously - what a bady shastard that sold you the car. Did you find who actually owned it? Maybe I missed the answer. Glad you stuck with it and saved it from the scrapper.

[@Lukeywoodsey]

Rover and MG are cars I just can't see the appeal. I understand some people have nostalgia and some like constantly working on cars. But seeing the state of them that are left and the state of them when they were built I have a really low opinion on them.

[@thenotanclan]

Car brands I was sorry to see disappear? SAAB & TVR - Rover? Not so much

[@CharlesDeVere-m7o]

Happy motoring to you all.

[@musoseven8218]

Nowt wrong with the motor Jay, but ooh, that shirt 🤔😳😳🤣🤣🤣 Cracking video, and great presentation (youve raised sime great points too) - I like locomotives as well, trains, 'planes (sic) and automobiles (ships and boats too)😀😀 I like MGs from that era, Ive run MK1 AH Sprites, MGB GTs, MGBGT V8 and my mates had several of the Z cars - Ive dtiven a few and the Rover 45s, much maligned - if one ignores certain K series issues. Sounds like previous owners were devious, but not clever, egocentric morons. But you've saved the car, which is very cool. Sorry that you've had so much hassle, a salutary lesson for us all👍✌️🤞💜🙏😊

[@jacquesmartin9741]

Sorry my friend,xwelcome to the reality of " sight unseen". Be well!

[@DavidDatura]

It’s a very handsome estate. Like the wheels too.

[@str_outta_bogda]

Great video! Would love to see a series "what you can get for less than 1k" :) with all the affairs and adventures

[@vrsmartin2981]

Just watched the intro.... not read a comment.... If its not a Fiat Multipla or PT cruiser James you are fine! 😉

[@peterrichardson9248]

I drove an MG ZT as a hire car some time back. Expected it to be crap but It was a great car to drive.

[@MrSabrecat]

The moral of this story is, don't buy on emotions!

[@4dshow]

The choice of that shirt gives that claim a run for the money.

[@Mike7O7O]

Your wardrobe gives me the most laughs ;)

[@SoundsVintage]

4:04 Hello Nigel

[@chiefpacman]

It's funny because it seems like you did pretty good for a $500 car on Facebook marketplace. I can't imagine getting upset about a battery in that situation 😂

[@jamesengland7461]

It's not the battery; it's the theft of said battery depicted in sales photos.

[@HA05GER]

Ive always had a soft spot for rovers and i havent a clue why. They do some strange things like the 2.0 v6 why? Because why not and thats why i like rover they just love being a bit weird.

[@studavison]

You lunatic! 😂 Thanks for another entertaining video 👍

[@WorthlessNickores]

The alloys in the ad are kick ass and you replaced them with indistinguishable BLACK blobs??? Vile.

[@nomdeplume2724]

Best video I’ve seen in ages! 🤓

[@lostinbluespace5210]

Could this be the best car you own? Really like these.

[@anthonym6401]

I think the letters on the registration plate sum it up really…

[@TheRealEmile]

Hate to say it but i can see why your mother and sister laughed, they might drive nicely but the ZT is such a tragic thing, one of the least sensical cars they ever squeezed out 😂

[@Popincourt-or4cf]

Haven’t I just been there… soooo many times!

[@hughoxford8735]

Ah, Steve Jones! Everyone knows about Steve Jones.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Great MGTt Well done on saving it.

[@richardstamper5630]

I like those ZTT's but JayEmm, you seriously need a wardrobe makeover - just saying.

[@johnmoulton9728]

Remember never buy a car sold in Wales

[@matthewmoore661]

Get yourself a superior, reliable 1970s Ford Capri and you’ll be happy.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

You’ve gotta work your way up to the V8.

[@Schallat]

The shirt!!!😂😂😂 ❤

[@mikeroper3437]

Great car. Would like one of those. Not bad for a £500…

[@scottyd024]

Good one , nice shirt mate 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jeremywentworth1833]

James that's why Market place has a bad name from all the rob dogs cowboys etc that sell cars on it..I mean what a tight bastard to take a battery of a car. Thank god I only buy and sell cars using Autotrader.