cheers sed , i did the plugs, leads,etc today it has improved the problem somewhat in that the tickover when it decides to is more even but the car stalls as i pull up to lights or junctions , one of my old rover club chums reckons i might have had a bad tank of fuel maybe some moisture/water in the carb, that needs flushing out, damned nause as the car is a cracker apart from this and a bit of scabbing on the wheel arch edges, only done 72k an elderly previous owner , i originally got it to tie me over for a trip to scotland and a few trips over the summer ,but its so good i'm going to keep it,amazing how much band gear i can get into it and the most economical car i've owned. and probably not likely to depreciate much from the £350 i paid for it .