It might be worth reminding ourselves and identify the production time line to the various changes Morgan introduced in repponse to the radiator failures
Because the cooling failures on the CX-generation Plus Four and Plus Six models were caused by a combination of physical design and electronic software, the factory response was introduced in phased intervals:
1. Hardware Production Update (2021)
The Swirl Pot & Revised Radiator: Morgan incorporated the coolant swirl pot, an altered expansion setup, and a revised radiator design into standard assembly line production during 2021. This physical hardware change was meant to reduce aeration and cavitation in the cooling tract.
2. Software & Mounting Updates (2023)
The ECU Firmware Flash: In mid-2023 (roughly July/August), Morgan introduced a critical ECU software update to dealer service networks and production.
The Purpose: The CX platform's BMW-sourced engines use an ECU-controlled map to open and close the cooling thermostat. The original mapping created extreme "thermal shock"—rapidly dumping cold water into a hot engine block or vice versa—which cracked the radiator seams. The 2023 flash smoothing out thermostat response.
Revised Mounting System:
By September 2023, a newly engineered rubber mounting isolation system was also integrated into assembly to minimize chassis vibrations from cracking the radiator tanks.
Summary of what this may means when viewing a potential CX. purchase if still original factory delivered speciifcation. Especially when looking at low mileage cars or cars with patchy service history especially if not factory or official dealer service history
Built upto 2020: Missing all factory updates; highly susceptible to failure unless retrofitted by a dealer or specialist.
Built 2021–Early 2023: Equipped with the physical swirl pot from the factory, but likely requires the 2023 ECU thermostat update to protect the radiator.
Built Late 2023 onwards: Features the comprehensive suite of swirl pot, updated mounting geometry, and the revised ECU software mapping out of the box.
AI Overview
Yes, Morgan Motor Company (MMC) can still be held legally responsible for failing water radiators even if the vehicle is outside its standard warranty period. Under UK consumer law, manufacturer warranties sit alongside your statutory rights, and if a component suffers from an inherent, widespread manufacturing defect—often referred to as a "latent defect"—the legal responsibility does not automatically end when the warranty expires.
The Morgan "Plus Four" and "Plus Six" models built on the CX-generation aluminum platform have a well-documented history of recurring radiator failures. Many owners have reported experiencing multiple radiator leaks, cracking, and sequential replacements on the exact same vehicle.Your Statutory Rights Under UK LawIf your vehicle is outside its warranty, you should bypass the warranty terms and rely directly on your statutory consumer rights.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015:
This law dictates that any goods you purchase must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. A radiator that repeatedly fails, cracks, or leaks due to poor component design or high stress on the fittings does not meet the standard of "satisfactory quality"
.The Six-Year Limitation Rule:
In England and Wales, you have up to six years from the date of purchase (five years from discovery in Scotland) to bring a legal claim against a retailer for faulty goods. Because Morgan is both the manufacturer and often the direct retailer, this timeline applies directly to them.
The Burden of Proof:
Because you are past the first six months of ownership, the legal onus is on you to prove that the fault was inherent (i.e., a design/manufacturing flaw present from day one) rather than normal wear-and-tear.
Why You Have a Strong Legal PositionProving a latent defect is usually difficult, but the well-documented history of Morgan's CX-platform radiator issues changes the dynamic entirely:** Widespread Precedent**: The frequent failure of these water radiators across the entire platform serves as strong evidence that the part suffers from a latent design defect, rather than owner negligence.
Corporate Acknowledgment:
Morgan has previously issued strategic reporting and corrective software updates to manage platform cooling pressures, acknowledging underlying systemic complications.
Ineffective Repairs:
If Morgan previously replaced your radiator under warranty and the replacement part also failed outside the warranty, the original defect was never successfully cured, meaning your consumer rights claim remains active.
Step-by-Step Action Plan1.
1. Gather Your EvidenceCollect dates and invoices for every single radiator failure or leak your car has suffered.
Print out forum threads and owner registry logs from spaces like the Talk Morgan Forum to visually and textually demonstrate that this is a known, systemic fault.
2. Submit a Formal ComplaintContact Morgan (or the dealership where you purchased the vehicle) in writing.
Explicitly state that you are making a claim under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for a latent defect, noting that the component is not of "satisfactory quality".Request that they cover the full cost of the replacement part and the associated labor.
3. Escalation Route
If Morgan refuses, issue a formal Letter Before Action, giving them a final 14 days to resolve the issue.If they still fail to comply, you can escalate the matter to the Small Claims Court (for disputes under £10,000). Given the clear historical context of the CX-generation radiator flaws, an independent arbitrator or judge is highly likely to view the component as inherently defective.
If you start an AI investigation into the consumer rights re your Morgan CX radiator issues stating the date of purchse, number and frequency of radiator fails, it will (subject to verification) identify a step by step map of how to deal with the issues etc...at each stage you can delve deeper into specifics as appropriate.to what courses of action are open to you.
The average cost to issue a court claim under consumer protection laws for a failed Morgan radiator typically ranges between £115 and £455 for the upfront filing fee, though the exact cost is scaled directly to the financial amount you are claiming from the dealer or manufacturer.
Last edited by JohnHarris; 07/08/26 12:03 PM.
