Is Your Classic British Car Safe? Five Things to Check Before you Drive!

Written by Brian Collins

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Now that cold winter weather is gone, classic cars across the country are being prepped for driving events and road trips. Before you take off, are you confident that your car is reliable and safe to drive?

Classic British cars don’t suffer from a lot of problems just because they’re British. That’s a stereotype that’s been perpetuated by people who don’t properly maintain their cars. While some British cars feature engineering oddities, these cars typically suffer from problems that plague many other 50+ year-old cars. With proper maintenance and thorough inspection, your car can be made to be reliable and road worthy. We made a short list of things to inspect before you hit the road:

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1. Tires

Problem: Common problems with old tires include dry-rot cracks in the rubber, sidewall bulges, and worn tread. If you see anything that bad, it’s obvious your tires need replacing. However, if you bought a car that’s been stored most of its life or is only driven occasionally, you still need to check your tires to see if they need replacing. According to Hagerty, eight years is the maximum safe life expectancy of a tire. Edmunds stated that Mercedez-Benz and Nissan recommend replacing tires after 6 years.

​My Thoughts: My local MG club had three different cars shred tires during a 120-mile driving event to Cedar Key, Florida because the tires were too old to drive on. Fortunately nobody was injured but driving on old tires is certainly not a risk worth taking. I don’t care if they don’t have many miles on them or “look“ like new- you need to replace your tires if they’re too old.

What to Inspect: All tires that have been produced since 2000 are serialized to help identify the manufacture date and age of the tire. Tire Rack has an excellent guide on how to find and decode serial numbers. Click here to read their how-to guide. If your tires are over 6 years old, simply have them replaced with new ones. You’ll have one less thing to worry about and can enjoy the improvement in traction in handling. 

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2. Brake System

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Problem: We see a lot of cars with complaints of spongy brake pedals, squealing, and other general brake issues. Most of these problems are cause by old parts that haven't been maintained in a very long time. If you can't remember ever inspecting your brake system, it's time to do so. 

​My Thoughts: Brake systems are pretty overlooked on classic British cars. I see a lot of cars with questionable components and brake fluid within their brake systems. Avoid the risk and take the time to inspect and maintain it.

What to Inspect:
•    Inspect front and rear brakes for excessive wear or fluid leaks
•    Replace old rubber brake lines​
•    ​Replace old fluid and make sure air is purged from lines when you bleed them
•    Check to see if your brake lights are working- If they don't, inspect your brake switch and grounds
•    If you hear a hissing noise beyond your firewall, inspect your servo, check valve, and vacuum hoses.
•    Check for brake pedal for clevis pin wear
•    Inspect your return spring under the dash

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3. Headlights and Brake Lights

Problem: You need to see and be seen while driving. You absolutely need your brake lights to work every time you use them and also rely on your headlamps to see during nighttime driving and inclement weather.
 
My Thoughts:
Quit blaming it on Lucas electrics. While electrical issues can plague classic British cars, they’re typically straightforward systems with common failure points. This is easily one of the most overlooked systems on these classic cars so it’s no surprise that so many people complain about having problems with them.

What to Inspect: 
​​•    Inspect to make sure headlights and brake lights work
•    ​Inspect headlight switch
•    Inspect hazard and turn signal lights
•    ​Clean up grounds on lights and use dialectic grease to protect them
​•    Clean any corroded or dirty fuses or terminals.  DeoxIT and pipe cleaners are tedious but worthwhile.

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4. Old Rubber

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Problem: Just like tires, old rubber parts on these cars begin to  rot, crack, and harden with age. Old hoses, belts, seals, and suspension bushings might unexpectedly fail while driving. If they're older than four years old, it's worth inspecting hoses and belts. 
 
My Thoughts:
Don't wait for your radiator hose to burst or your v-belt to shred while you're on the road. My advice is to inspect these things pretty regularly while you're under the hood.

What to Inspect: 
​​•    Inspect radiator hoses for cracking or coolant leaks
•    Replace old v-belt.  They're cheap and easy - just do it.
•    ​Check valve cover gasket for oil leaks
•    Inspect old suspension bushings. If they're cracked  or falling apart, replace them.

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​5. Fuel System

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​Problem:  If your car has been sitting all winter or not driven much, there may be water or sediment in the system. Gaskets, float valves, and hoses may be cracked. Original fuel pumps may be on the brink of death, even without any warning signs.
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My Thoughts: If you smell fuel, find the source and fix it right away. Don't play with fire on this one!

What to Inspect: 
​​•    Inspect your fuel filters for sediment. If you replace your filters and notice a quick sediment buildup, your tank may be suspect. 
•    If you're using an original or questionably old fuel pump, consider installing a new one. In the very least, make sure your power connections and hoses to the fuel pump are good.

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