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MG MGF Technical - MOT fail due to poor lights

Our MGF has just failed on rear discs and pads and poor beam pattern on the headlights. It has uprated bulbs in it, and this time last year passed the MOT fine in this state but at a different garage. Not being the most well off MGF owners in the world we need a cheap solution, so has anyone got one?

Gareth
Gareth Kidman

Gareth,

Where did you get your MOT done? Mine failed on exactly the same things 6 weeks ago.!
mike

LG Aves in Mildenhall. They failed my Maestro last year on the same thing on one headlight, fitted one of 'his' bulbs and it passed, also a Fiesta we used to have failed on the same thing as did our Metro which had uprated headlight bulbs in. I'm going to fit standard bulbs and see if its scrapes through for now but lets just say after spending money on the HG and getting the rear screen fixed, the car will sadly be off the road for a while longer until we save up sufficent funds.
Gareth

Gareth, Mike, this is an increasingly common problem on older MGFs - the reflector bowl oxidises over time. To get them rechromed is actually pretty cheap (£60 a pair) - do it through Geoff Smith, as he's gained considerable experience with the F's head lights now - see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/lighting/misty_headlights.htm for more details.
Rob Bell

Rob, spoke to Geoff earlier, very nice chap indeed. He said cost was £70 inc postage but 2 week turnaround. He mentioned a possible group of reflectors so they would be available in less time, do you know anything about this?

Gareth
Gareth

That might have had something to do with Mike Hankin? I know that Mike was trying to build a stock of redundant lamps so as to get an exchange scheme going, but I don't know how far it got. Either way, I suspect that you can't beat the 2 week turn around time :o(
Rob Bell

Yep, been speaking to Geoff this afternoon, trying to work out what the best plan is for making the process as painless as possible, i.e. exchange. Packaging is the major issue, despite the reflectors being very light and well packed, Royal Mail are still managing to deliver broken ones 8-(
Mike Hankin

Have not yet spoken to the missus about the fail, she will be a bit gutted as it's only been back on the road for two weeks, i've come up with an alternative plan. Fix the back brakes tommorow, and later in the week i have an 02 plate MGF in for some work which will be without its headlights for an hour... Of course our original lights are no good but whilst we save up and wait for a spare set to be re-conned as and when, it seems like the only solution to keep this F on the road where it belongs.
Gareth

Sounds like a cunning plan Gareth :o)

Mike, let me know how you get on with the exchange scheme :o)
Rob Bell

Mine was going to fail with upgraded "white" bulbs fitted.

Guy who did the test knew I didn't take the car out at night so passed it!

Sam
Sam Murray

You have a remarkably sympathetic MoT tester there Sam!

Sounds as though Mike and Geoff have sorted out a potential re-chroming scheme which could speed up returns - which is great news for the future :o)
Rob Bell

After speaking with Emma last night the situation isnt critical as she can use her Metro for a few days.

She suggested doing a TF conversion at some point but for the expense involved (and i think it looks a little odd with the smooth side vents) its not worth doing although the reflector problem would not happen. I have the 02 plate MGF in tommorow and a re-test from 11am onwards so the plan with the original lights continue.

Basically i think the best thing is get an old set, get the refectors rechromed and then paint the insides of the light black a'la Trophy style to give it a meaner look and get rid of the problem forever.

Buying new lights mean the problem and expense will just reoccur in years to come.
Gareth

If anyone is confused by the technicalities, the process is aluminising not chroming, but the new surface should still last longer than the original.

Chris
Chris

I've got a pair of headlamps in my garage from the '98 MGF I used to have. It failed an MOT as one of the units wasn't up to scratch so I replaced the pair with 'Trophy' lamps.

If these are any use to someone then make me an offer - not sure how much the P&P will be although if anyones interested I can soon find out.

Cheers Mark.
Mark

Mark, what's your email address?
Mike Hankin

MIke,
My email address is XMark.C.TurnerX@XCapgeminiX.Com
(remove the 4 X's)

Cheers Mark.
mark

Lights swopped over and new rear discs and pads, the car is waiting for its re-test and i see no reason for it to fail on the lights as the car they came from passed the MOT in Feb of this year..

Gareth
Gareth

Mark, you have mail...

Gareth, you're very enterprising ;o) Hope all goes well.
Mike Hankin

Mike,
You have a reply.........
Mark

Car passed at lunchtime!
Gareth

Good work! And now you have to return those headlights! LOL
Rob Bell

>>>Good work! And now you have to return those headlights! LOL
<<<

Yep, all done, car in question needed a repair to the sill after a scrape and also a full valet so i havent done too bad today. Interesting to confirm the accident i spotted on the car, new crash bar has been fitted at some point!
Gareth

This thread was discussed between 25/04/2006 and 27/04/2006

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