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MG MGB Technical - MOT

Hi all,

Its been a long time since I've been on this extremely helpful link.... car has been behaving herself! (X reg MGF) However, recently failed MOT on various points:- (i) nearside front lower suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (ii) nearside fron lower anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened (iii) nearside rear floorpan into engine bay brake pipe inadequately clipped (iv) brake performance not tested. Had MOT done at ATS so then had to take it to garage for works to be done. Passed MOT after £500 + spent on it and the advisory items are:- (i) nearside rear suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (ii) offside as above (iii) suspension low front and rear (iv) corrosion to front and rear subframe (v) slight noise from front wheel bearings (vi) nearside rear floor pan brake pipe clip broken..... the garage did not bring any of these to my attention when collecting the car. My questions are:- (a) suspension low front and rear - I thought, maybe mistakenly, that they pumped the car up ? (b) are any of these items serious and lastly, should they not have just put a new clip on the brake pipe.
Any advice would be fab. Thanks.
Sarah
Sarah Edwards

You might have more luck on MGF forum - this is MGB.
Geoff Ev

Sarah ATS and other franchise oulets tend to pile up the advisories touting for business. Halfords advised my daily driver needed new wheel bearings the day after a main dealer service.
Of course the advisories may have some substance and you will be looking at another £500+ for the next MOT.
c cummins

There is a list of places to get your suspension pumped up on the MGF Register forum. I bought a TF so I've never needed to look at it. There is also plenty in the archives about how high the car should be. This info may also be in MGF technical on here in the archive.
I get all my cars tested at Just MoTs here, they do what it says on the tin and it's very rare to hit a problem with well maintained and properly presented car. You do pay the full price of course, but its a cheaper than doing lots of work that may or may not be needed.
Stan Best

I would never use a big chain for MOT testing. They don't care about your pride and joy, and have sales targets to meet. Build up a relationship with a small local garage in your area. That's what I did by getting them to service my normal car. Then when my MG goes in for a test they are interested in it and talk to me about it and give it a fair test, and because I know them and they know me they don't mark it down on unnecessary things.
Mike Howlett

Hi, thanks for your comments - just realised I've posted this on MGB rather than MGF Technical ! I had the initial MOT done at ATS then took it to a local garage where I spent £3K last year having a new steering rack, new hood etc., thinking they would have the necessary equipment to pump up the suspension! obviously not. I will look at dealers in the area and get this done. Sarah
Sarah Edwards

Sarah Hydrogas pump up is about £20 to £50, there are some garages that offer a mobile service.
c cummins

My local man pumped my MGF up for a tenner. He operated the pump and I held a tape measure at the wheel arch to tell him when the ride height was correct. Both sides done in twenty minutes.
Mike Howlett

Suspension arm rubber bushes: As these wear, the suspension arm moves so the wheel has additional movement in the wrong direction - exacerbating wear. Needs investigating as to the extent of current movement.

v slight corrosion: catch it before it gets worse. Wheel bearings are cheap as is clipping a brake pipe

As others have said you need to find a local garage you trust and maybe somewhere else for hydragas.

Low suspersion is not a failure per se -unless it results in rubbing etc.
Michael Beswick

Don't ignore the front wheel bearing noise. My MGF had a front bearing collapse on the M1 in pouring rain, damaging the hub. They are standard Metro bearings and were never designed for the extra loading of the wide tyres.
Mike Howlett

Thank you all for your kind help. Took the car into Darryl at MGF Reborn in Poole this morning - have complete trust in the man who is passionate about MGF's and doing them up. He pumped up the suspension and the car is booked in next month for refurbishment.
Sarah Edwards

Hi Sarah, Daryl has just rebuilt am MGF for a regular at the Rose and Crown natter here. They both love it and find the TF (1955) and the N type rather hard work in comparison :-)
Stan Best

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2012 and 05/10/2012

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