1979 MG BGT 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Totally usable, excellent car

Faults:

Rust is the main problem. Surface rust is treatable, but it gets annoying when the holes appear. And chances are, they will, if the car hasn't been well cared for. Mine had few holes, all small, and were treated with filler.

Radiator gauze a bit buckled. Still works no problem, but will inevitably be replaced sooner rather than later.

Overdrive doesn't work. No idea why.

Rear window heating panel doesn't work.

Choke stick has to be held out - it won't stay out on its own. Possibly a worn out spring or something. Hardly a major thing, but makes things a bit awkward.

Some bubbling under the boot lid.

General Comments:

A fast, quite beefy car. Definitely handles modern-day traffic without a care.

Eye-catching, and a real experience to drive. Couldn't recommend it more, whether as an everyday classic, second car or starter classic.

Cheap insurance + car doesn't cost an awful lot to run. Saved up for ages, and car cost £650, and was usable straight away, after undersealing and service by myself.

No problem using it as an everyday car as long as it is fully hammerited then waxoyled in all the vulnerable areas (wheelarches, floorpan, undercarriage etc). Definitely worth doing regularly, maybe a couple of times a year.

As long as the car is regularly serviced, and checked over weekly, there shouldn't be any nasty surprises. Haynes manual is definitely a must-have, then you can't go wrong.

Owners Club is excellent.

Nice to drive something a bit different from the majority of yawn-inspiring modern day motors. I'm only 21, but have always liked classics, mainly cos they seem to have more character and you don't see too many out there, whatever make or model they are.

At the end of the day, older cars were built to be used, not to sit rotting away waiting for work to be done that never is going to be. As long as they are respected and cared for, and not hammered (within reason) there shouldn't be any problems using them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th January, 2003

26th Feb 2008, 07:49

This guy is right on the button, have the same machine and I love it, all the same quirks except my opverdirve workes fine.

Get one if you can!

3rd Sep 2009, 02:17

Hey to the first guy there. The overdrive problem is usually handy enough to fix, it's an electrical issue going down to the solenoid on the gearbox, whip out your multimeter and get testing!!!

You shouldn't have too much bother fixing it :-)

1979 MG BGT 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Had car 18 months : Exhaust, Rear axle and Suspension, Heater valve, Accident

General Comments:

Athough I have broken down 6 times in that time it's one on the best things I ever purchased. This MG is not garaged for the winter it's used every day and it's a joy to drive.

A real car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd November, 1997