MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - MGA buyers price guide

Is there a price guide available in the UK. I would like to have some sort of guide to compare with classified ad. prices.
mj dodridge

There's a guide in Practical Classics magazine. I think that it is a bit optimistic (i.e. too high).
Dan Smithers

Tough call MJ

Dan, it might be high for selling and low for buying!

In order to accurately know a current value, you have to know what someone will actually pay for a given car at a given place and at a given point in time! Any further car can be valued in reference. The problem is that, by now, no two MGAs are in the same condition. Also, everyone has their own individual taste for specifications, which increases/decreases value in that specific case.

So the best way is to follow cars on, say, eBay over a period of time and see what cars can actually sell for - given the widest audience. You can follow cars advertised in the classifieds, but you don't know if the price was actually reduced when sold. If a car appears for more than two months in a major publication/website I would say it is most likely overpriced. Expect to pay 1,500 to 5,000 more from a dealer.

There are over 20 MGAs currently for sale here:

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/view-classic-cars-for-sale.php?searchtype=advanced&make=MG&model=mga&pricefrom=&priceto=&yearfrom=&yearto=&category=&colour=&country=&pdb=both&lhdrhd=both&mileagefrom=&mileageto=&sort1=make&sort1order=ASC&sort2=model&sort2order=ASC&submit=Search+Cars

Twin cam roadster 15,000!!! go for it!

Neil
Neil McGurk

Neil,
that's why I specified what I meant by optimistic. I agree that you really need to do thorough research into the difference between the advertised price and the eventual sale price.

As far as a TC for 15000 goes, that depends on whether it still has the TC engine. A lot seem to be listed as TCs because they have a YD or YM chassis number even if they have had a push-rod engine fitted.
Dan Smithers

Hi MJ - I agree with Dan - the Practical Classics price for a condition 1 roadster is rather high at £15K - check out the other Classic Car mag prices.
(and what does that 1 mean? -as Neil suggests - depends whether you are buying or selling). You need to decide on what is the max you are prepared to pay and then start looking at what is on offer -around £11k to 12k should get you a very good private car ( double that for a TC - (but not many MGAs for sale in UK) . Make sure you take someone with you to stop you impulse buying and preferably an MGA owner who knows what to look for. Remember to haggle if you can, especially with a private seller - and be prepared to walk away - I'm a fatalist - if it is meant to be yours you will get it - but also it easy to buy a bad MG!! Bob West is around your neck of the woods - pop in and get some advice from him - Good luck Cam
Cam Cunningham

Remember as well, you never (well hardly ever) get back the costs of a restoration, so unless you really want to restore a car go for a good one and let someone else lose the money.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

Thanks for advice but I do have another question regarding price/value. I'm guessing that there are many cars that are imported LHD ones which have been converted to RHD. Are these realisically worth less like for like and if so by what sort of figure. I'm not really bothered if only an expert can tell it has been converted but just thinking of resale value/desirability if needs dictate
mj dodridge

The only way to tell is from the VIN, which cannot be changed (except there are lots of, shall we say, donor cars!)

LHD converted cars are not worth less. However, cars with a good history can be worth more! Known or famous owners, original number plate, green/buff log book, old MOT certificates, photos, bills etc. Some people are prepared to pay more in those cases and so the value is increased.

LHD conversions could have been perceived as better, due to lower potential corrosion, but by now that's pretty irrelevent. The quality of any restoration is of key importance in terms of the driveability and reliability.

Condition is by far the most important aspect of value. Originality is a very personal issue (just post a thread on the subject on this forum to see!) so I will not open that box except to say that it may also add value.

I agree entirely with Cam and Malcolm re their comments above. I would also add that it is very easy for a bodged job to be concealed under nice shiny panels. There are areas that are very dificult to check, so make sure you know where to look or get someone who does.

If you can post pictures on here, you will get masses of expert help from these guys. Just ask.

Neil
Neil McGurk

There is a Mark 11 in the Brighwells.com auction next week. Guide price £8000-£10000.
Nigel Munford

http://www.brightwells.com/classiccars/Catalogue/tabid/322/Default.aspx

Looks like a nice original car, probably lost a few of its original bits during the restoration in the 70's.

It will no doubt need plenty of "recommissioning" to be a reliable driver and probably has some welding to do. However, a car with history and one that can be improved gradually.

At least it has not been subject to a recent cosmetic restoration as many have and is more honest in that what you see is what you get.

Personally, I think that the estimate is high for a car in that condition, but it does have its history!

Neil

Neil McGurk

Further to above, it went for £6700
Nigel Munford

That sounds about right to me.
Neil McGurk

I guess the Brightwell car would have been just over £7K with commission and looked good value on paper. The problem as always seems to be the choice between an older but running restoration for around that price or going above £11K for one with a recent restoration. As said, you buy what you see, to some extent, with the older restoration but have to be even more carefull with a recent restoration to make sure it is done to the expected standard. Decisions, decisions!
mj dodridge

Have you seen the one on ebay at the moment? - listing number 220212977743. Partly completed restoration although some bizarre colours used on the chassis - it is up here in Lancashire - would make interesting viewing - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

It's an interesting project for someone, looks like GRP wings, and lots of surface corrosion under those lovely paint colours. Must be somewhere pretty close to Steve Gyles.

Why don't you pop up and have a look for us Cam?
Neil McGurk

Might do Neil - but a 70 mile round trip to see a pile of junk that I don't need is a bit off putting - but if I feel like a I need a laugh I know where to go - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Cam,
My thoughts exactly, a job for Steve then!
Neil McGurk

The car on ebay (Lancs) got close to £7K when I last looked but now withdrawn just before the end time. At that price or more it looked expensive to me. Anybody viewed it? I'm thinking at the bottom end of the price range and especially buying on ebay you pay too much and by the time you have restored it the final cost is more than one already done (unless you do it all yourself)
mj dodridge

£7k for a car in bits and with bizarre colours used in the chassis and suspension is way too much -cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2008 and 22/03/2008

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.