What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used MG Midget.
The MG Midget occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 7 known issues across the MG Midget range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a MG Midget? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
MkI-III (1961–1979) — Engine options included the A-Series 1275. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Floor pan rust (£400–£1,200 to address).
MkIV (1974–1979) — Engine options included the Triumph 1500. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Floor pan rust (£400–£1,200 to address).
The floor pans on MG Midgets are notorious for severe corrosion due to the single-skin steel construction and poor drainage design. Water collects in the footwells and around the seat mounting points, causing structural rust that compromises the integrity of the monocoque chassis. This is the primary MOT failure point on these cars and affects virtually all surviving examples to some degree. Unlike body panel rust, floor pan corrosion directly affects structural safety and can render the car dangerous to drive.
Severe floor pan rust compromises the structural integrity of the monocoque chassis and creates an immediate MOT failure. In extreme cases, the pedal mounting points or seat anchors can detach from the structure. Professional floor pan replacement requires chassis jig work and typically costs more than the car's market value.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The door sills and A-post junctions on MG Midgets are critical structural components that commonly suffer severe corrosion. These areas are load-bearing parts of the monocoque chassis that support the door hinges and contribute to overall body rigidity. Sill corrosion is often hidden behind plastic covers or underseal and can compromise the structural integrity of the entire car.
Structural sill corrosion creates an immediate MOT failure and compromises the safety of the vehicle's occupants in a collision. Professional sill replacement requires specialist welding and often costs more than the car's market value.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
MG Midgets use king pin front suspension instead of modern ball joints, with steel pins that pivot in bronze bushes. The king pins and bushes wear over time, creating play that causes steering wander and imprecise handling. This wear pattern is universal on these cars due to the design age and limited lubrication points. Unlike modern suspension components, king pin assemblies require specialist knowledge to service and adjust properly.
Worn king pins cause steering wander, imprecise handling, and uneven tyre wear. In severe cases, the suspension geometry becomes unstable and the car may pull unexpectedly under braking or acceleration. King pin overhaul requires specialist tools and knowledge.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Wire wheel MG Midgets use tapered roller bearings in the front hubs that require regular adjustment and periodic repacking with grease. These bearings develop excessive play when the adjustment nut works loose or when the bearing races wear. The problem is particularly prevalent on cars with wire wheels due to the additional stress from the splined hub design.
Excessive bearing play affects steering precision and can cause dangerous wheel detachment in extreme cases. Worn bearings generate heat that can damage the hub casting and require more extensive repairs.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The front disc brake calipers on MG Midgets are prone to seizing due to corrosion of the piston and caliper bore, particularly on cars that see infrequent use. The single-piston sliding caliper design is vulnerable to moisture ingress and brake fluid contamination, causing the piston to stick in the bore and creating uneven braking force across the axle.
Binding brakes cause the car to pull dangerously to one side under braking and generate excessive heat that can boil the brake fluid and cause brake fade. Continued driving with binding calipers will warp the brake discs and damage the brake pads.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the MG Midget common problems page.
Based on 5k real DVSA MOT tests, the MG Midget fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is coil springs broken at 149x the fleet average, followed by suspension pin, bush or joint worn (77x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full MG Midget MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 3k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full MG Midget service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The MG Midget has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific MG Midget, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known MG Midget issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.