Yes, it is likely to be a fail, it is a known problem often because the belt spindle is open the engine cover carpet can implead the belt. It is worth pulling up the carpet to see if that helps. If not cleaning the belt together with wiping it with silicon may help.

 

Thanks to both you and trevtherevs for the replies. So I noticed online (before opening your replies) that spraying silicone spray on the belt and wiping it down would help, so I done that and it did. So I'll keep an eye on it until the MOT.
But thanks again. Regards D4KGP.

 

I know mine use to come up with slow retraction, which was just an advisory. I had tried with second hand belt, but these also seem to be slow to return. I had heard of spraying furniture polish on the belt or silicon spray, but in the end I removed the belt and gave it a wash in detergent and refitted the belt with an extra turn on the spring. It was easier than I thought to remove the belt, and I might with some luck be able to find some photos I took when removing the belt.

 

I had to replace the inertia reel once on my TF. To give you an idea of when that was, the car was still under warranty with MG-Rover!

 

Another thing to check if you have a genuine wind break fitted is the fittings through the T-bar to the chassis beneath, there is meant to be plastic tube spacers for the fitting bolts to go through to stop the fittings being overtightened down onto the T-bar which can affect the seat belt retraction, it is not uncommon for these spacer to be missing as they can easily fall out of the T-bar during maintenance or not present when the windbreaks are purchased second hand which means they would never have been fitted. One of my TF's had issues with seatbelt retraction and all I did to cure it was undo the windbreak fitting bolts slightly

 

Yes I have one but I'm sure the inserts are fitted but I'll check, thanks for the info wouldn't have thought of that.
Regards D4KGP.

 

How do you dismantle the reels to wash the seat belt webbing and reassemble ?

 

Sorry for not getting back earlier. The seat belts were very easy to take apart and I have been trying to find some pictures I took at the time. However, I'm sure they will surface when I don't want them. From memory, If you pull the belt to its full extent, it is held in by a plastic square in the end of the belt. I locked the reel in place by pushing a clothes peg in to stop it springing back. When you slide the plastic piece out, the belt comes away from the reel. I did put on an extra turn on the reel to help pull the belt back.