1974 MG Midget 1.3L Petrol · SME 797M

The 1974 MG Midget presents a stable and largely reassuring roadworthiness record, culminating in a clean pass at 77,360 miles on 22 May 2023 with zero defects recorded. That test is now over three years old as of June 2026, so the vehicle has not been formally assessed under current MOT standards for a significant period. The overall trend is one of consistent compliance. A single horn defect appeared on 16 March 2015 at 77,253 miles, but it was rectified on the same day and has not recurred. No structural corrosion, braking faults, suspension defects, or emissions failures have ever been recorded across the available history. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use. Between the June 2021 test at 77,269 miles and the May 2023 test at 77,360 miles, the car covered just 91 miles over nearly two full years. Even looking further back, the annual accumulation of roughly 1,488 miles is exceptionally low for a 52-year-old vehicle. Such sparse usage raises its own concerns. Long periods of standing can lead to deteriorated rubber bushes, perished tyres with good tread but aged sidewalls, seized brake calipers, and stale fuel system components. The gap between the 2015 and 2021 tests is notable, with no recorded MOTs for over six years, meaning the car may have been stored or SORN for much of that period. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on components that suffer from inactivity rather than mileage wear. Check the suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers for deterioration, as these degrade with age regardless of use. Inspect the braking system closely, particularly the rear calipers and handbrake mechanism, since the 2015 horn fault suggests the car was in regular road use at that time and braking components may have corroded during subsequent storage. Examine the tyre sidewalls for cracking and confirm the date codes, as legal tread depth means little if the rubber is perished. The exhaust system and fuel lines deserve attention too, given the long dormancy between 2015 and 2021. Structural integrity is the most critical area for a 1974 Midget. The MOT record contains no corrosion advisories, but testers only inspect what is visible, and MG Midgets are notorious for hidden rust in sills, floor pans, and around the rear wheel arches. A buyer should have the car raised on a lift and probed thoroughly. The clean MOT history is encouraging, but it cannot substitute for a hands-on inspection of a vehicle that has spent much of its recent life stationary.