MG B1972 · 1.8L PETROL

The 1972 MG B holds a valid MOT certificate following its most recent test on 14 May 2025 at 93,369 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance pattern that is neither stable nor improving. The tester flagged multiple items in 2025 that had been present in previous years, including slight play in all four wheel bearings and wear in all four wheel hub spigot mountings, suggesting these conditions have persisted across at least three consecutive annual tests without remedial work. The addition of central oil leaks from the engine sump and gearbox output shaft seal in 2025, alongside a nearside rear axle half shaft seal leak, indicates fresh fluid ingress points that were not present a year earlier. The vehicle passes its MOT, yet the accumulation of minor but persistent advisories points to a pattern of deferred attention rather than proactive upkeep. Mileage accumulation tells a consistent story of very light use. The car covered just 547 miles between the May 2024 and May 2025 tests, and only 378 miles between May 2023 and May 2024. The five-year span from May 2021 at 91,359 miles to May 2025 at 93,369 miles shows a total gain of 2,010 miles, averaging roughly 402 miles per year. At approximately 1,729 miles per year across its 54-year life, this is exceptionally low. Such minimal annual mileage raises concerns about long periods of standing, which can cause sticking brake calipers, perished rubber bushes, dried seals, and localised corrosion in fuel and brake lines that MOT testing alone may not fully expose. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the components that the MOT record repeatedly highlights. All four wheel bearings show slight play that has gone unaddressed since at least 2022, so checking for roughness, noise, and radial movement on a jack is essential. The worn wheel hub spigot mountings on every corner are a structural concern specific to this model, as they affect wheel location and can lead to wheel stud fatigue or wheel wobble under load. The 2025 oil leaks from the sump and gearbox output shaft seal need close examination to determine whether they stem from deteriorated gaskets or over-pressurised crankcase ventilation, and the nearside rear axle seal should be inspected for contamination of the brake shoes or drum. Beyond the flagged items, the light misting of oil on the offside rear shock absorber, noted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 but absent from the 2025 record, warrants verification that the unit has not been replaced or simply cleaned. Given the low mileage and long periods of inactivity, a thorough inspection of brake flexible hoses for perishing, fuel system integrity, and structural corrosion in the sills, floor pans, and suspension mounting points is strongly advised, as these classic MG components deteriorate from age and standing rather than from use.