MG Maestro, inner arch help

[mcentre2001]

Hi,

I have been lucky enough to source a very original MG Maestro 1985 2.0i with a genuine 20,400 miles from new, but i have a curious question,

I took the car for a Mot today, and the Mot tester ( who hadn't seen one for years ) got stumped, how to best describe it, on the inner rear wheel arch on the drivers side very close to the petrol fill pipe there is some corrision, he couldn't remember if that was a structual panel or a dress panel, I've had a quick look myself ( and I hope ) that it is a dress panel ( ie doesn't come into the Mot as it's not a structual part ), please has anyone got any ideas, he's going to look into it himself put it would put my mind at rest what everyone else thought?

By the way that's all he could find!! not bad for 20 years old and sitting in a barn for a few years!!

Many thanks

[TurboMG]

Well if theres a hole there then its a fail as its within 30cm of the suspension...

[E_T_V]

Do you mean there is a hole just below the filler pocket? If so this is a problem on some cars, (mine included). It isn't a structural panel really and shouldn't really pose any safety issue however it may be classed as within 30cm of a suspension mount (i.e. the top of the rear strut), however if you measure the distance along the metal rather than in a straight line fron strut top to hole you might find it is outside of the prescribed area.

[e692wtt]

Well if theres a hole there then its a fail as its within 30cm of the suspension...

Yup, my Monty failed for the same thing the year before last, as it is less than 30cm from a suspension mount. I knew there were issues there from when I patched the old fuel filler pipe up (leaked fuel when filling up) and chunks of metal came away :laugh: so as he had to remove the old fuel filler pipe to do the required welding I got him to fit the new one I had ;) .

Even if it passes its MoT, I would check it out and get rid of the rust and coat the area in waxoyl to slow down any further deterioration. It's quite a nasty mud trap.

[mcentre2001]

Well if theres a hole there then its a fail as its within 30cm of the suspension...

I know what you are saying, but with some panels you have a structual panel and then there is a dress panel, this is what looks to be a dress panel thus not taking any load bearing weight, this is what I am trying to find out if it is what is called a dress panel or not, I know I have goto get it sorted anyway, but it would be nice to get the Mot done first