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MG TD TF 1500 - Need recommendation for MG service

I have been absent from this group for almost 18 months.

We relocated again, this time from Los Gatos, CA to Andover, MA by way of Rehoboth Beach, DE.

I just recently registered my 52 TD here in MA, and need to have it inspected soon. I have been told that the Massachusetts inspections are very tough compared to my previous experiences in CA and NJ.

SInce my car has been in the garage and not running for the past 18 months, I think I need to have a good mechanic take a good look at it before I get the inspection and drive it on the road.

Can anyone recommend a good mechanic, someone who is familiar with MG's or with older cars in general.

We are located in Andover, MA, which is approximately 20 miles north of Boston.

Your help and suggestions will be very much appreciated.
Mike Iandolo

Mike,

As you have no doubt learned, in Massachusetts inspections are performed by independent garages. I've taken my TD and an MGA for inspection to four different garages over the years. More often than not, the person inspecting the car brightens right up when my MG shows up. For the mechanic, it's a change from the ordinary. Because the mechanic is not familiar with the car, I drive in and operate the systems that are requested. They request the obvious stuff. Rarely they jack the car and check the front end.

It may not make a difference, but I usually talk with the person doing the inspection, so he knows I understand how this stuff works and my way around the car.

If you go over your MG and make sure the obvious stuff is working properly, you won't have a problem.

If you don't work on your car yourself, you may want to track down a mechanic. If no one else provides a lead, let me know and I can work through my contacts to find a local mechanic for you.

Larry
Larry Shoer

Mike,

My brother-in-law uses Burnett's Garage (60 Maple St, Wenham, MA 01984) to service his Austin Healey. They have been in business since 1946, specialize in British vehicles including MG and Triumph, and perform state inspections.

What more could you want? <g> (Note, however, that I have no personal experience with this garage.)

Larry
Larry Shoer

Mike,

You won't do better than Steve MacKay. I have a friend here in Virginia who has used MacKay and I have seen several cars MacKay has done, his work is exceptional. He is in Wakefield.

http://www.mackaysgarage.com/index.html

Charlie Adams
CMA Adams

I was also going to mention Burnett's Garage.

I lived in Beverly, MA in the 1957 to 1965 time frame.
I had two Morris Minors and an AH sprite (BugEye) at the time and used Burnett all the time.

I still kick my self for not buying a Twin Cam MGA he had on the floor.
I did an internet search and he is still in business.

although I have not lived there for many years he would be my first go-to.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I would love to learn more about what they require for this inspection? I have registered my TD in a few states and never had to have it inspected.
Bruce Cunha

Check to see if MA has an antique designation. Here in NC, my TD is registered as an antique and it doesn't have to be inspected in an official capacity although I stay on top of it and make sure everything works properly so I will not have any issues on the road.
R C Flowers

The only concession for its age is in not having to satisfy the emissions limits. Here's a copy of Lazarus' latest inspection report: Bud


Bud Krueger

See http://www.vehicletest.state.ma.us/index.html for details. Bud
Bud Krueger

In MA a car with an antique plate is limited to use on weekends and holidays, traveling to a garage for service, and a few other restricted uses. I did not register my TD with antique plates for this reason.

I know some who DO use antique plates and drive their car whenever they want. I chose not to do this because I don't want to give an insurance company an excuse to deny a claim, should the insurance ever be needed.

The actual inspection in MA is not a big deal. The garage either checks off many items as OKAY or Not Applicable just based on a visual inspection. They never come close to checking as many things as I do before putting the TD on the road in the spring.

Larry

Larry Shoer

Hope no RMV folks are looking, but Larry's right. Once an inspection station gets to know you and your car the process takes about 5 minutes. Half of that is folding down the windscreen so as to make it easier to scrape off the old sticker. Those folks who abuse the antique plates get a big surprise when their insurance claim is denied.

http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/forms/20132.pdf

T20132-
0713
Certification and Affidavit of Vehicle Owner
I hereby certify that the ________ ________________________________________________ (antique vehicle) owned
Year Make & Model
by me and described in the accompanying RMV registration application is over 25 years old and will be maintained and
operated solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest (including test drives
to prepare for such functions and transportation to and from repair facilities) and will not be used primarily for the
transportation of passengers or goods over any way. I also certify that if I am registering the vehicle with a
Year of
Manufacture
plate, that I came into possession of the plate in a lawful manner
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 20/06/2014 and 26/06/2014

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