Considering Joining Us?

We know - it's a fairly daunting proposition to consider taking your old Minor out of the comfort of the UK, even more so if you're embarking on a week long trip with a bunch of people you-ve never met before. But (with the exception of the Boyce's, who've somehow managed to go on EVERY trip) we were all nervous newbies once, so we know how important it is to make you feel welcome and lend a bit of support. Here's a couple of stories from other people on their first MOT's, just to help put your mind at rest.

Dionne, York

When I was 17 I bought a 1966 Morris called Horace. An annual highlight was to go on Minors on Tour. However life got in the way I lost touch! 20 years later, I booked a Eurocamp holiday in France. By accident I attended Minors on Tour once again. The same spirit, new faces, some old, I laughed till my face hurt, made incredible friends, saw old faces, felt wretched at all the years I had missed, but felt ecstatic to have found them again and bought a car when I got back! I hope to never miss it again!

Liam, Coventry

As a first timer to MOT in 2015, I was initially reluctant to drive my slightly tatty two-door hundreds of miles down into the French countryside. This trepidation disappeared after about forty seconds of arriving on the beautiful site in Largentiere, where we were greeted with all the warmth and kindness as if we were old friends who'd been making the trip for many years. Over the week, I was blown away by the kindness of the MOTers, and had a thoroughly excellent few days driving around the Ardeche region of France. I'm very excited for next year's trip already!

Johnny, UK

Last year Bertrix 2019 was my first experience of MOT and like lots of people reading this I didn't have a clue what to expect. My first impression having arrived tired in Belgium at the campsite was that everyone else knew each other and that I was a bit of a lost soul; however, this impression didn't last long as the events of the week unfolded and everyone set up camp. I have to say both Helens and their other halves Chris and Pete were fantastic at being inclusive. I loved the variety of folk, admired the way a fellow newbie Paddy and his family from Newcastle just throw themselves into everything and appeared like old hands, My only regret was I didn't bring my family; this is great for families whatever their ages, so I am coming back with mine this year.

Still not convinced? That's not a problem - we'll just have to work a bit harder. Firstly, are you a member of your local branch of the MMOC? After 34 trips, and with as many as 120 cars at a time, we've had people from just about every region in the country - the odds are pretty high that someone (or several someone's) from you nearest branch have already been on MOT. They'll almost certainly be able to put your mind at rest and answer any questions you still have, so stop by and ask. Don't worry if you're not a local member (though please remember that you must be a national member of the MMOC to attend) as every local branch is happy to welcome non-members for a couple of meetings to see if you like it.

If for any reason that doesn't work, just drop us a line via the contact form and we'll do our best to put you in touch with someone as close to you as possible to have a chat. You could even 'buddy up' with an experienced MOT'er to travel with, for anyone who is a little nervous about driving abroad.

About Minors On Tour

In 1983 The Morris Minor Owners Club ventured across the English Channel on its first overseas rally. No-one realised that this first tentative step into European motoring would evolve into a keenly anticipated and well attended annual jaunt for Minor owners and enthusiasts with a sense of adventure. From the small beginnings of a weekend in France, Minors On Tour (MOT) has developed a tradition of providing an enjoyable week-long camping holiday based around the late-May (Whitsun) Bank Holiday week.

As this time of the year is normally the school half-term break, MOT has become very much a family holiday, and year by year there has been a shift from those early days of adults in 'pup-tents' with just the most basic equipment that they could squeeze into their Minor, to trailer tents and caravans, catering not only for the Minor owners, but for the younger 'Minorist' as well. With the advent of on-site ready erected tents and mobile homes, MOT has developed further, allowing those who have ceased to find any comfort in ground level camping in confined spaces to continue to be part of the trip. Venues vary, but the majority of MOT's have been somewhere in France, a land of many different cultures, customs, cuisine and countryside. From rugged northern coastline, through rolling 'big sky', mountains and canyons, to the azure seas of the Mediterranean, there seems to be a view round every turn in the road. Hundreds of regional culinary specialities, numerous smooth, tangy or strange looking cheeses, and varieties of wines and beers, far too many to count, delicious breads, tarts, cakes and pastries await your delectation.

Whilst France has had the pleasure of our company for the majority of MOT's so far, there have been trips to The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland in the early days, and more recently to Germany. The future? So many MMOC members, both from the UK and from mainland Europe, regularly take part in MOT that, as long as someone is prepared to organise this now traditional part of Minoring life, it is impossible to foresee a year without it.

Usually alternating annually between long and short distance trips, MOT is very much a do-as-you-please affair. In the early days, discount block booked ferry crossings meant that the trip started with everyone meeting on Dover dockside. However, the advent of Eurotunnel, and the now highly competitive nature of ferry travel, inevitably saw the demise of cheap crossings to France. Participants now book their preferred method and time of travel, and are free to arrive and leave the campsite when they please.

Whilst thare are various things organised during the week of MOT, some of which you can see by clicking on 'What We Do On MOT', nothing is compulsory, you are free to do what you wish. Some of the events are intended to raise money for charity, and are hopefully entertaining, so your involvement would be welcomed.

This website was started in the year of the 21st MOT, and by its very nature will never be finished. It is intended to be a record of all of the previous overseas trips, and we need the help of all previous participants to built it into something that the Morris Minor Owners Club, and those who have enjoyed the experience of MOT, will be proud of. Whether you have been on an MOT, or you have yet to take the plunge, please feel free to leave your comments on this or any other page.

MOT is a holiday for members of the Morris Minor Owners Club. If you are a Morris Minor owner but not yet a member of the Club, have a look at the MMOC website for membership details and a whole lot more. We hope that you enjoy exploring this website, and urge you to log on regularly, as the site will be updated frequently. Keep an eye on 'Thinking of coming' section as details will be published when they become available.

Who we are

Minors On Tour is a huge undertaking each year, and many many people put in a lot of effort into making sure it runs smoothly. Well, smooth-ish... The following Rogues Gallery, in no particular order whatsoever, comprises mug shots of some of the people you should be avoiding/looking out for.

Under revision