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HNB 597V

1978 MG Midget

Blue Petrol 1491cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Sep 2026
Tests24 (17 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate70.8%

Mileage

15,414 mi
Last recorded15,414 miles
Recorded on3 Sep 2025
Typical for 1978 MG Midget57,304 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this MG
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationHNB 597V
MakeMG
ModelMidget
Year1978
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,491cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 7 fail
Pass 3 Sep 2025 15,414 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sills and A pillars have signs of cracking body filler (6.1.1 (c) (i))

bonnet safety catch return spring missing

Pass 2 Sep 2024 15,328 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sills both sides slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 23 Aug 2024 15,328 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively blade rubber split (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sills both sides slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 7 Aug 2023 15,251 miles
Fail 31 Jul 2023 15,249 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 8.4% at hot idle, maximum limit is 4.5% (8.2.1.2 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

All direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute not flashing at all (4.4.4 (a))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front directional tyre fitted facing wrong direction

Pass 26 Jul 2022 14,712 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Jul 2022 14,712 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Rear Exhaust silencer likely to become detached (8.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Handbrake cable flexible mounting to rear axel - damaged

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Aug 2021 14,437 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2020 14,282 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2020 14,280 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.3.1 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper not working On second speed (3.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 22 Mar 2019 14,027 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

bonnet secondary safety catch inoperative due to faulty spring

structure of A pillars and sills showing signs of corrosion beneath body filler

Pass 28 Mar 2018 13,857 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Tyre is perished

Pass 4 Mar 2017 13,392 miles

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sills and "A" pillars show signs of previous repairs corroding again under bodyfiller. (2.4.A.3)

Fail 24 Feb 2017 13,392 miles

Front Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive c.o. reading 7.5%, limit is 4.5%. (7.3.B.1a)

Headlamp switch faulty dip beam goes out if switch in relaxed position, needs to be held towards driver to make lights operate (1.7.1)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement brake binding, pads worn low (3.5.1k)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sills and "A" pillars show signs of previous repairs corroding again under bodyfiller. (2.4.A.3)

Pass 26 Feb 2016 13,219 miles

handbrake linkage to axle support rubber split

Fail 3 Mar 2015 12,747 miles

Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

front suspension trunion bushes perished both sides. Not causing excessive play.

nearside rear tyre slightly perished

Pass 3 Mar 2015 12,747 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

front suspension trunion bushes perished both sides. Not causing excessive play.

nearside rear tyre slightly perished

Pass 10 Mar 2014 12,078 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2013 11,938 miles

o/s top and bottom trunions slight play

Pass 10 Mar 2012 11,228 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2011 10,736 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2009 10,160 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2009 9,982 miles

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Pass 18 Aug 2008 8,426 miles

Offside Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

How Reliable is the MG Midget?

Based on 84,419 MOT tests across 9,949 vehicles.

76.7%
Pass Rate
286
Miles/Year
63
Year Lifespan
9,949
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,648
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 2,284
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,239
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,079
Stop lamp not working 2,058
Full MG Midget reliability report

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HNB 597V is a 1978 MG Midget in Blue with a 1,491cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.8%.

Across all 1978 MG Midget models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.1% with a typical mileage of 57,304 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a MG Midget fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 2,648 recorded failures. If you're considering buying HNB 597V, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The MG Midget typically stays on UK roads for around 63 years. At 48 years old, this MG Midget is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of HNB 597V?

You can check the full history of HNB 597V by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was HNB 597V registered?

HNB 597V is a 1978 MG Midget, first registered on 31 December 1978.

Is HNB 597V safe to buy?

The MOT history for HNB 597V shows 24 tests with a 70.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does HNB 597V have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on HNB 597V. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.