1995 MG RV8 3.9L Petrol · M252 GMW

Unlike the electro-coated main British Motor Heritage monocoque bodyshell, the bespoke steel windscreen header rail, A-pillar pillars, and lower scuttle panel were hand-fabricated and remain exceptionally vulnerable to water trapping beneath the bonded windscreen rubber seal. Trapped moisture causes severe rust bubbling along the lower windscreen frame, which weakens structural rigidity and risks cracking the rare, expensive tinted windscreen glass during body repair.

The Rover 3.9-litre aluminium V8 engine uses a flat-tappet camshaft that suffers from accelerated lobe wear and lifter cupping if oil change intervals are neglected or if modern low-zinc synthetic engine oils lacking sufficient ZDDP anti-wear additives are used. As camshaft lobe profiles flatten, valve lift reduces, causing continuous top-end valvetrain ticking, reduced engine power above 3,500 rpm, and elevated hydrocarbon exhaust emissions at MOT test time.

The RV8 utilises a traditional live rear axle suspended by parabolic single-leaf rear road springs and twin longitudinal torque reaction control arms. The high torque output of the 3.9-litre V8 (318 Nm) subjects the rubber leaf spring eye bushes and torque arm bushes to intense torsional stress, causing rubber perishing and elongation. This results in violent axle tramp and rear wheel hop under hard standing starts on damp UK roads, along with audible drivetrain clunking.