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MG MGF Technical - MOT emissions

The F I'm about to buy has failed it's MOT on it's emissions?! Part of the purchase was that I'm paying for the MOT and will only not buy should she fail for something expensive. Are the emissions likely to be a deal breaker? Could it be a sensor somewhere or ECU?

mARTIN
Martin

Had mine MOT'd a few weeks back, also failed on emissions. Replaced oxygen sensor, a bit better but still a fail. Cleaned injectors, made no difference. Finally, replaced catalyst - hey presto!

Prognosis was that oxygen sensor had failed causing engine to overfuel and burn out the catalyst. Hefty-ish bill, but now sounds a lot better than before!

Paul
Paul Daykin

Try getting it good and hot first and doing the emmisions test as soon as you get there, a few have this problem and this tends to get them through.
Tony

Paul
how much is a hefty bill ?

cat sounds expensive

Martin
martin

New Cats available from 150 to 250GBP. Approx.
Russell Parslow

Anyone know how much an oxygen sensor would be?

Martin
Martin

£135 from http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/
Also where I got the cat price from.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/oxygen_sensors.php?manufacturer=MG
£60 - 80GBP

I'd either get the seller to get the car through the MOT or get them to drop the price by £500. Plenty of MGF's coming onto the market at the end of the summer.

Russell Parslow

She's a silver r plate vvc with 1 an a bit months left on mot. We've agreed 3700 for her. She's had cambelt and fsh done. No hgf yet tho. I'm paying extra 50 for new MOT. If she failed on something expensive then he'll give me my deposit back an I've jus lost my 50. he's calling me today for the damage for emissions issue. What do u think? She is lovely with full green leather. And not too far too.

Martin
Martin

Private sale? 97R or 98R? Definately a VVC? Mileage? Service history? Radiator and underbody pipes okay? They could be very rotten by now. Leaky roof? Carpets and door cards dry/stained? Tyres okay? Even wear on the front? Checked coolant for signs of oil / discolouration?
http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/MGF_buying.htm

Its a fair price I suppose. Parkers says £3,953 for a private sale. They are all lovely!

I'm not going to advise you either way - it might be faultless or it might have HGF as soon as you drive it away!
Russell Parslow

Def a vvc, 60000miles, full company service history. recent tyres discs pads r screen. Door cards fine. Roof good.

I dunno. Toss a coin?! I'll wait for phone call i think. Up to 150 i think.

Martin
Martin

With that mileage the whatcar.com valuation (used with autotrader.co.uk) is £4448 and I just paid £5000 for a low mileage 97 MGF with a brand new soft top with glass rear window. So either you're getting a good deal or I've been ripped off by my boss!

Oxygen sensor replaced by garage on mine (before it was mine) was about £130 inc labour etc... from what I can remember of looking through receipts.
Dan Wavell

Prices do seem to vary quite a bit. Blagged a day off work today too to try and source a contingency.

Martin
Martin

Martin,

The hefty bill was around £500, although this included labour (work was done by Friarsgate, Tamworth). I'll have a look at the invoice tonight but, as I recall, the oxygen sensor (> £100) was more expensive than the cat (< £100). Parts came to just over £200, the rest was labour.

I must admit, I was surprised by how cheap the cat was - when they first mentioned that they'd need to replace it, I thought I'd be looking at more than £300 just for the cat!

Paul
Paul Daykin

Just had a call from seller. £186 for sensor and some 'wires on manifold or something' so about 3900 in the end then i think.

Still unsure

Martin
Martin

Martin,

Sounds like you've fallen in love with the car.

You could face these issues with any used vehicle IMHO.

Sam
Sam Murray

I have found that MGF prices have dropped so not sure Parkers would be right.

Also seller has a bit of a problem as technically its failed the MOT. OK there is a month left, and I know we all drive using the old MOT, and hope insurance is ok, but I think that legally its failed.

So seller can't now sell on to anyone else without saying its failed the MOT, so you would think seller if you don't buy will have to get the problem fixed and through the MOT, either that or take to garage of part exchnage in which case take of a grand.

So I'd be tempted to say I'll pay the asking price, if you get it through the MOT.

MGF's are a great car, and I know the feeling you see the car you want and it's damn hard not to still want it, but its the old saying "buy in haste, repent at leisure"

Brian
brian

Hmmm situ now is. If I want car I'll have to pay agreed price of 3700 + 50 for mot + cost of repair 186. And tax runs out in a short while too.
Martin

Both jobs are best left to a dealer/exhaust place. Changing the oxygen sensor may mean getting the exhaust manifold off.

Walk away and let him fix it - it's a buyers market !

jt
John Thomas

This thread was discussed between 22/08/2005 and 23/08/2005

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