What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used MG Midget 1500.
The MG Midget 1500 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the MG Midget 1500 range, including 1 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 1500? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
MK4 (1974–1980) — Engine options included the 1.5L A-Series. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
The rear subframe mounting points in the body structure are prone to corrosion that can compromise structural integrity. This affects the mounting points where the rear suspension, differential, and rear axle assembly attach to the main body shell. The 1500 model uses a different subframe design from earlier Midgets, with specific stress concentration points that corrode preferentially.
Failure of subframe mounting points can cause loss of vehicle control, particularly under braking or cornering. The rear axle assembly may shift position or in extreme cases detach from the body. Professional welding repair is typically required and costs vary widely depending on the extent of corrosion. Cars with advanced corrosion may be beyond economic repair.
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 1500 Midget uses twin SU HS4 carburettors that wear over time, causing fuel mixture problems that result in excessive emissions. The carburetor needle seats, throttle spindles, and mixture adjustment mechanisms wear with age, making it impossible to achieve correct fuelling across the rev range. Modern MOT emissions limits are challenging for 1970s carburetor technology even when perfectly set up.
The car will fail its MOT emissions test and cannot be legally driven on public roads until repaired. Carburetor rebuild or replacement is typically required. Poor mixture can cause engine damage through lean running or bore washing from over-rich conditions. Running costs increase due to poor fuel economy and potential catalyst damage if fitted.
Check for rough idle, hesitation or misfires during the test drive. Listen for the fuel pump priming when you turn the ignition on. Carbon buildup issues are more common on direct-injection engines — ask about intake cleaning history.
The Midget 1500 uses wire wheels with knock-off hubs that place different loads on the wheel bearings compared to conventional steel wheels. MOT data shows wheel bearing failures at over 30 times the national fleet average, particularly affecting low-mileage examples where cars may sit unused for extended periods allowing bearing grease to deteriorate. The splined drive system and relatively small bearing size for the vehicle weight contribute to premature wear. Regular use and proper maintenance are essential for bearing longevity.
Worn wheel bearings can cause wheel wobble, poor handling, and in extreme cases wheel detachment. The splined hub system means bearing failure can damage expensive wire wheels and hub assemblies. Early detection and replacement prevents secondary damage to wheel and suspension components.
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 Midget's steel monocoque construction is particularly vulnerable to sill corrosion due to the design's low ground clearance and tendency for debris and moisture to collect in the box-section sills. The 1974-1980 model uses different steel specifications from earlier cars and has specific corrosion patterns around the jacking points and door frame attachments. Sill corrosion often starts from the inside and may not be visible externally until structural integrity is compromised. This is a critical structural area that affects the car's rigidity and safety.
Sill corrosion compromises the structural rigidity of the car and can affect crashworthiness. Severe corrosion may cause door alignment problems, difficulty closing doors, or visible sagging of the body structure. Professional structural welding is required for repair, and costs vary significantly depending on the extent of corrosion. Cars with extensive sill damage may be beyond economic repair.
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 A-Series engine and transmission unit uses 1970s gasket and seal technology that deteriorates with age, causing oil leaks that can be environmentally hazardous. Common leak points include the rear crankshaft seal, timing cover gasket, rocker cover gasket, and gearbox input shaft seal. While these leaks rarely cause immediate mechanical damage, they can create safety hazards for other road users and environmental concerns.
Oil leaks can cause environmental damage and create safety hazards for motorcyclists and other road users. Persistent leaks may lead to low oil levels and eventual engine damage if not monitored. The car will fail its MOT if leaks are deemed excessive. Repair typically requires gasket and seal replacement during engine servicing.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the MG Midget 1500 common problems page.
Based on 2k real DVSA MOT tests, the MG Midget 1500 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 766x the fleet average, followed by coil springs broken (289x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full MG Midget 1500 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
See the full MG Midget 1500 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The MG Midget 1500 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue 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 1500, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 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 5 known MG Midget 1500 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.