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MG MGB Technical - body restoration

My BGT 78 passed the MOT test with an advisory note to the effect that the underneath shows signs of corrosion and needs all the components freed of rust and treated. Any advice on where do I start and any pitfalls to watch out for . I do not have a ramp available.
si robathan

Si, do you have anymore info as the description is a little vague? You'll need to get underneath with a camera and post some pic's and we'll be able to provide some direction or you could take it to a specialist for a full assessment.
The usual parts to fail first are the sill and castle sections that run from the front to rear wheel wheel arch.
Do you intend to do the work yourself?
Check out Paul's website which is full of excellent info.
http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/hometext.htm

MGmike
M McAndrew

Hi MGmike
I only know it was an advisory on the MOT. Perhaps a specialist assessment would be a good move. I am in my eighty-ith year so crawling under the car is beyond me!!

Will post how I get on.


Thanks
si robathan

Si, It sounds to me that you are going to have to get someone to have a look at it and give you an idea of what might need to be done and how much it is likely to cost. Maybe someone who lives in your area can recommend a repairer but prepare yourself for a shock, because it dont come cheap.
Trevor Harvey

General corrosion pretty much covers anything! I got an advisory for that as well, and I've got at least one hole :)!

The best thing is probably to get it waxoyled (or equivalent) and that should pretty much cover whatever is wrong - unless, of course, it's holey!

Take it back to the MOT centre and go under the ramp or in the pit that they used, and ask him to explain what exactly they mean. They can not give you an advisory without a reason for it, and should be more than willing to show you (frankly, they should have told you at the time ....)

On the good side, advisories don't always need to be done, as they are not something that is dangerous, so you have plenty of time to sort out someone to do it for you, however, it is good to get the underside sealed before the salt is used on the road.
rachmacb

Had the corrosion been within 300mm of something important (suspension, steering, strucural chassis) it would have failed. To you and me thats within a 2 foot circle. So don't panic! Depending when it was done and how well you know the MOT station, the tester may remember- don't count on it, but worth a call! If he can't remember and you feel he knows what he's about, ask for an MOT style inpection with emphasis on the corrosion. If you don't fancy under the ramp/down the pit they could write it for you- or shout it out for you to write). If it was a callow youth I'd be inclined to find a mechanic you trust to have a look. Remember that MOT standards are minimum. It is also a test -nothing more- and there is no obligation to do/say more. An inspection might cost 1/2 or 1 hour but would be money well spent. A mechanic can also advise on what (and maybe by whom) needs to be done to keep it safe (and MOTd) without embarking on a major rebuild!
Michael Beswick

All sound advice. Get a specific inspection. When I lived in the UK, I found some MOT stations rather unkind, and unwilling to consider that the owner might actually know something about motor vehicles. My wife was the unfortunate victim of this. there were claims of defective parts when in fact this was un-true.I suspect most stations are reputable, but you will get others whom perhaps are feeling the pinch and need work. What are members thoughts?
J.M. Doust

Get the car on a hoist and look at it is my advice, preferably in the company of someone who knows MGBs . If its just surface rust then you can take action to stop it spreading. If large chunks of the hidden parts on the sills are badly corroded I would have them replaced as the cars safety is compromised . Once you have it in good condition you can ensure it stays that way by going to a specialist like rustbusters where they use professional grade treatments.
So get some data, and get back.
I 100% agree about MoT testing. I never go to a general garage, if you use an MoT only operation they are neutral, if it passes or fails they make the same out of it. In fact the logical extension of this is to avoid at all costs the free or reduced MoT offers you see, these seem guaranteed to produce a fail, and an overpriced job to fix it.
Stan Best

I've never had an advisory like that and mine are by no means rust-free. I did have a failure once with a hole in the inner wing as it was within the 300mm Michael mentions. I did say that RV8 exhausts come through a large hole right there but it didn't wash :o) It may have been just friendly advice, it certainly doesn't *need* all the components freed of rust, although if there is actual corrosion close to perforation then that would be different.
PaulH Solihull

You would not have had an advisory for surface rust. It would have been for rust that had penertrated but probably not near enough to a so called load bearing area. (suspention,steering,seat fixing etc. attatchment areas) It would be best to get it looked at as next year it may be a failure.
Trevor Harvey

It could be the MOT station touting for business.
c cummins

This thread was discussed between 17/12/2011 and 23/12/2011

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