Have a really good look for rust on the bodywork, and more importantly underneath - sills, floor pans, sub-frame etc. TBH the bodge would worry me. I'd be thinking 'What else has been bodged that I can't see'

How does the engine run and how does it drive? Remember its a K series, and 50k is about HG time in my experience, so check it doesn't consume coolant. Some TF owners will be along soon to give specific advice, no doubt....

 

Thank you. The current owner has spent 500 on welding getting it through the MOT at a local firm that has a very good reputation and this tallies with the MOT history. If I do buy it I intend to take it in for the HG straight away, I've had two quotes from decent local firms. I know I'm going to spend some money, I just don't want to start with a money pit, if that makes sense ?

 

Well maybe the bodge is just a paint job needs redoing? Have a good look at it and around the car. I case I was misunderstood, I would only replace the HG if I thought it was failing - car consuming coolant etc. Not if all looked fine. Save the money for when another problem comes along...

 

Whilst your sitting at home check the MOT history on the DVLA site, this will give you some idea of how it was looked after in the past, if it failed a lot first time then passed after remedial work the odds are it wasn't looked after or serviced properly.
The wheel arches often have rust damage but if its surface rust from chips you can teach yourself using on line how to's to effect a repair, try to feel the thickness of the inner arch edge it should be the thickness of the car bodywork if its thicker the odds are it's filler. The front wings can rust through where they meet the front (plastic) bumper and you may get some rust round the side air intakes. Check the 4 corners and any other area's of concern with a small magnet, a magnet wont stick properly to filler. You can practice at home on the fridge (which is a good source of magnets) put simply if the magnet sticks on your fridge but not the car its probably got some filler but it's not the end of the world. While your walking round check both ends of the sills in the wheel arches a very common rust trap, tap the ends to gauge how solid they are.
Check the carpets in the interior (inc boot area) they all leak at one time or another but is rust festering under the carpets.
Checking underneath really needs a lift but can be done with a trolley jack/axel stands or if using drive on ramps check the bumpers wont hit the ramps before the wheels do. Surface rust is not really a problem and is just hard work but not difficult to do, flaking rust is a problem as in gnu's post try to check everything.
I've just seen from your 2nd post it's had work locally, how about chatting them up to use their lift believe me a drink to them is well worth it.
Don't be put off by being told they rust everywhere they are all getting into there 20's now so it's to be expected, I bought mine in June (about the fifteenth I viewed) and still love it. The running costs aren't bad, it's the oh I'll just brighten it up with this or that, a set of new wheels would look nice, now that costs, be warned!
Re the head gasket the general opinion seems to be if it's good leave it alone but fitting a low coolant warning is a good mod(if not already done).

 

Front subframe mounts on both front and rear subframe on a TF are prone to rot...you can check them on the rear by putting your hand under the car where they are situated and feel them....the front is a bit more difficult bust still able to feel them. check pictures on google for positions and how they should look, check the rears on a 2005 TF a few years ago, could feel they were rotting away no issue

 

Well, I think I'm going to buy it just to be part of this group. I am genuinely blown away with the amount of time you have taken to help advise me.

 

Personally, I think that is quite expensive for a car that still sounds like it needs more money thrown at it. You should be able to find a better example that has been cared for for less money in my opinion - these cars are cheap at the moment.

Shop around.

 

Can I post the reg and more photos on here? I wasn't sure if it was allowed.

 

You can do if you wish

 

Why not buy one from a reputable dealer with a few months guarantee. That would give you time to do a proper inspection, and take it back is anything is found. Buying a "wrong-un" could be a money pit. As said above there are plenty about (private) with much better credentials. Someone on this forum told me you can get an inspection done by the AA for around £100 well worth it if they say its a scraper? JMO.

 

Sorry, I should have said for £1k I'd not expect al lot. You could be lucky, but its not a lot to spend if you want a car that runs without trouble, I don't know what others think? People that own them seem to know who much they are worth, I've seen a few that look good for around £2500 in the 2002-2004 year.

 

get in touch with trophy cars they have lots of mgtf mate bought my mgf 5 years ago not from them for 1200 been a great summer car

 

Surely we are talking the other end of the price scale at Trophy Cars!
My way of looking at things is how much do you stand to lose if it doesn’t work out? After all, it’s low mileage cheap car!

 

Surely we are talking the other end of the price scale at Trophy Cars!
My way of looking at things is how much do you stand to lose if it doesn’t work out? After all, it’s low mileage cheap car!

It depends on what Trophy do to the car, I'm told the fit a second rate HG without a reinforced oil rail? No rust proofing, no cam belt service, no water pump, no new discs and pads. But still they are not cheap by any means, but many have brought from them and have good cars. I could not afford to take a chance, as money is tight my end.

 

I’m not sure if you are saying you wouldn’t but from Trophy Cars, or you wouldn’t buy the car the original poster is interested in - ?

 

Austin. I got my car today and simply could not believe the work done on the car form MGF Centre. Would Trophy cars have done all that, I don't know to be honest. It looks as if they do the HG but not much else, mine has had Head Gasket, undersealed, new soft roof with glass screen, water pump, oil rail, new discs, and pads, its had all the rubber pipes done with silicone pipe, full service, MOT 12 months stainless pipes, with an amazing sound, decent radio. I know I paid well over the odds for the year, but its a special car with nothing to do I feel? Do you think you can buy a running MG for £1000 Austin, I've only seen them at the money for parts, but I know nothing my friend, only I could not afford to buy a car that could need constant bills, but thats just me? I value anyones opinion as I really know little about these cars.

 

Unless the gasket has failed don’t touch it, as 02 car it would have likely to have been changed around 20K miles. Any that survived intact are likely not to need changing.

 

There are so many around why risk buying a lemon...lots on FB owners pages for instance no need to go near the Trade. Good thing is used prices for cars have rocketed..both the F and TF have managed to buck that trend😀 so still cheap motoring.

 

Dunno what you paid, but sounds like we’ll over a grands worth of work at garage prices.

 

I've receipts for £2500 2018 and £800. This MOT had a new Cambelt fitted. It's not been driven much since then GNU. with the Covid problems.