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MG MGA - Reliving the Dream

Well, after a shortish gap and a change of country we are about to re-acquaint ourselves with the MGA. Our previous car was a 1957 roadster project that didn't actually make it to the road. This time round we're going for a coupe - being an Aussie it seems the better option for the winters......

Anyway, I'm trying to confirm the manufacture dates for the car - I think it is mid-1960. Chassis number is GHD92537. Is anyone able to confirm?

Also, I assume the car still needs an MOT and tax in the UK? Happy to do a yearly MOT - seems the responsible thing to do. Tax???????
B Cronk

Welcome to the MGA BBS. The car looks about May 1960. Yes, you will have to have an annual MOT - about £50. Cars built before 1 January 1960 are now MoT exempt. Yes, you have to tax the car. Fortunately all cars built before 1 January 1972 are classified as Historic Vehicles and as such you pay the grand sum of nothing! You must also have a minimum of 3rd party insurance.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi - my 1960 MGA is 91361 and was built on 5/6th May - so yours must be a few weeks after that - a Heritage certificate from Gaydon will give you the exact date. Once your car is MOT'd and insured you can apply for a free tax disc. Have fun with your coupe in this sunny country of ours ( well it was sunny on Saturday when I went out for a top down drive) - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Thanks very much for the replies - so I wonder what the point of a free tax disc is????? To make sure you've had the MOT done?

I think we'll have about 2 weeks worth of work to get the car ready for MOT - it has a brake problem at the moment, most likely a result of sitting idle for 2 years. What are the rules in the UK WRT driving the car to the MOT test station? In Aust you can drive it there as long as you can prove you've booked it in AND the sole purpose is the MOT (Pink Slip in NSW).

cheers

Brad C
B Cronk

You are right, the basic purpose of the tax disc is to do an annual MOT and insurance check. There is some talk of getting rid of tax discs however now that checks can be done by the police etc at any time.

Yes, you are allowed to drive an untaxed car to a pre booked MOT but it must be insured. You will need an MOT as part of the car registration process if it is does not have UK registration papers.
Malcolm Asquith

Brad

Correct, as Malcolm says.

Insurance details, MoTs and the tax disc are all now centrally registered on a national computer. Many of our police cars are equipped with number plate recognition sensors that are linked into the national computer. The police driver will be 'pinged' by any number plate that does not have a current tax disc, valid insurance and MoT (if required).

The MoT exemption for pre 1960 cars only came in on 18 November 2012 and affects many of us, myself included (1958 MGA). There has been considerable discussion on the pros and cons of this change in the law. Many of us will be continuing to have voluntary MoTs carried out for that extra peace of mind. Some insurance companies are specifically requiring MoTs to be carried out. My insurance company just requires the car to be maintained as road legal.

Steve

Steve Gyles

Thanks very much for all of the input. I've just crossed the pond from Australia (NSW) and we have the annual Pink Slip which is akin to the MOT - although in NSW they do a braking performance check as well.

I've spoken to the owner of the coupe and he informas me the car has a genuine 118k miles and still has the original, unmolested engine. Looks like I'd better stock up on additive....
B Cronk

They check braking performance here as well.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 03/02/2013 and 05/02/2013

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