Maestro MOT Failure

[xsaravtr]

Missus Maestro failed MOT today on sills (which garage can fix for 80ish quid), play in the steering wheel, cracked drivers side idicator light and rusted arches (too pointy and sharp it seems).

Whats my best option to do about this as I've never done bodywork before. Or is it better to give up on the car, its only done 30,000 miles with MOTs to prove, new brakes and exhaust and tuned few months ago.

Thanks all,

Jamie

[Jonathan]

This wouldn't happen to be a white March '83 1600HLS would it? If so and it were mine I'd not hesitate to have the arches and sills repaired properly and professionally by a bodyshop.

Repairs will not be "economical" in that you'll almost certainly pay at least the value of the car again but do consider the rarity of the model and the fact that it's probably mechanically in good order with potentially many years of life left in it.

[xsaravtr]

Sorry forgot to say, its a red 86 D-reg 1.3 city metal bumpers I think. Any tips to doing the arches myself? As cant really afford to have bodyshop do all the work on it.

[matthewsemple]

I know what you mean about the arches getting pointy. This causes MOT failure because it is dangerous if someone gets cut by them.

As an interim measure to get you car through it's MOT, have you considered rubbing down the affected area with a wire brush, hammering in the pointed bits and then painting them with Hamerite to smooth it all off?

It depends how bad the area is but I don't think a bit of perforation in the arch is enough to fail the car in the way it would be in other parts of the car.

It's a bit of a bodge but if it gets it through the MOT, then you can save up to have it done properly. It is quite a job and requires cutting away the affected metal, welding in the new panel which may need modifying to fit and then smoothing it all off with filler before spraying.

The repair panels are cheap but it will probably cost around £150 - £200 to have them fitted by a garage.

It would be a shame to scrap a Maestro with only 30,000 miles on it. I have kept my Maestros going for years by being prepared to pay for MOT work each year as it is cheaper than the repayments on a new car.

[richard52m]

The sills and floorpan are structural and must be weld repaired.
However, the front wheel arch and most of the rear wheel arch are not structural, and are failed on the fact that they may be dangerous to passers-by.
You should be able to get away with Duct taping up the sharp edges. If the MOT tester is an awkward sod (which most are not) he could fail it on "general condition".
It may be wise to have a word with the tester, you may be surprised at what it allowed !

[E_T_V]

getting it through its MOt shouldn't be that difficult then. The arches can either be bodged as suggested above or a temporary repair using wire brushes and filler will keep it right for another couple of years. buy yourself a tiun a filler and have a go. ok it might not be pretty to start with but there is no substitute for practice. Follow the instructions on the tin (the most common type is isopon - the one with a maestro on the lid!) and the MOT man should let it through no problems.

[talkingcars]

If the arches failed because of sharp bits you may be able to put strong tape over it, however if it is less than 12 inches from a suspension point it will be classed as stractural and needs welding.

James

[E_T_V]

That can't be right as the front wings are less than 12 inches from a suspension point and they are detachable! :o

The arches aren't structural so as long as they aren't sharp or dangerous to the public i.e. flapping about in the wind then they'll be fine.

[e692wtt]

I agree with Matthew Semple's point about paying for MoT Repairs. If the repairs on my Monty's MoT are £200, then thats roughly one month's HP on a new car - so the next 11 months are free... as opposed to another £2200 on a depreciating asset that may be no more reliable than my Monty? And £2400 a year for 3 years? My sides split at this point. No thanks:banghead: but people fall for it. Every time.

I think it's a case of 'better the devil you know' unless you can afford a nearly-new car (I can't, even a high mileage 2 year old from auction...), and Monty failed his last MoT on exhaust emissions (cost a fiver) at 15 1/2 years old...

Spend a bit of cash and have cheap wheels for another year. Bodge it and save up, promising to get the rear wheelarches done before next winter, maybe? If it's otherwise reliable, keep it. These cars, especially the 'low range' models, are getting rare and need preserving.:)

[talkingcars]

That can't be right as the front wings are less than 12 inches from a suspension point and they are detachable

Maybe I didn't word that very clearly, maybe I should have said within 12 inches of any suspension, steering or seatbelt mounting point or any part of the load bearing structure, as the wing isn't load bearing it doesn't count.:banghead:

[xsaravtr]

Thanks for all your help, I've booked it in for Monday for the welding and I've brought a couple of tubes of filler, wire wool and some rust preventer stuff. I'll give it a go tomorrow and let you know how it gets on. I know what you mean about devaluation, I brought a two year old Xsara 18 months ago, first owner paid 17,000 I paid 6,000 now worth about 4,000, annoying. Sometimes wish I had a MG Maestro, always liked them.

[E_T_V]

Its never too late to get one :D

[xsaravtr]

I'd have to sell mine first though :(

[E_T_V]

Take my word for it they are addictive. I had 1 for a couple of years now the collection has grown to 4! I wonder if you can neuter a maestro to stop them breeding :D:D;)

[xsaravtr]

I was thinking about buying a MG Metro few months ago for 200 to have something to play with in the garage.

[matthewsemple]

Good idea - sell the Xsara before it depreciates any more and then buy an MG Maestro which won't loose as much because they aren't worth much in the first place!

http://www.angelfire.com/home/mat99v/TwoMGs.JPG

Bought these two for just £1500 in total - so I reckon I can't loose any more than that in depreciation.

[xsaravtr]

Blimey didn't relise they were that cheap, Your red MG is stunning.

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by e692wtt
If the repairs on my Monty's MoT are £200, then thats roughly one month's HP on a new car - so the next 11 months are free...

Totally agree. This year the MG1600 passed its MOT for the third year in a row so that was free and my Turbo needed £110 worth of work. So that's £110 for a year's motoring in two cars. Or ten day's repayments on one new car.

Obviously I have to tax and insure them and carry out other maintenence but that would be the same in any car whatever the age.

[G51 NAV]

Originally posted by xsaravtr
Blimey didn't relise they were that cheap, Your red MG is stunning.
Really tidy EFis are certainly around for £800 and less. Real minters can be bought for £1,000 and less. Tatty ones can be bought for £100 upwards. Mint Turbos fetch £2,000+. Tatty resto-projects are maybe a £300+

Matthew spent a lot of time and money restoring his Turbo and I think I can speak on his behalf and say that were his Turbo ever for sale he'd be quite right to want quite a bit more than what he paid for it!

[fastrack1966]

Seen all the interest in MG Maestro - I saw a black one non-runner in a driveway in Hayling Island a while ago. I don't live near there but could identify the road if anyone in Hants wants to have a look.

BrianJ