2001 MG F Steptronic

Our latest No Reserve auction is this stunning Platinum Silver MGF. First registered on the 27th of February 2001, it is fitted with the Steptronic automatic gearbox and 1.8-litre engine. Still showing under 17,000 miles on the clock, it’s barely run-in and MoT'd until 30/09/21.

The vendor bought it 12 years ago, falling in love with the colour and condition. Since then he’s only used it for high days and holidays, keeping it garaged when it wasn’t in use.

Now rationalizing his collection, advancing years forced him to choose this as one of the cars to sell as he’s finding it increasingly difficult to get in and out. Sad to see it go, his loss could be your gain - especially as it’s being sold with no reserve, so will sell from the very first bid, no matter how derisory that might be.

The MGF’s Platinum Silver coachwork looks splendid with its tight and consistent shutlines, straight and dent-free panels, and perfect alignment. It’s got a great sheen to it too, and the light lenses, glass and badging is all excellent. Even the fasteners, you know, the bits that are always a little rusty, are bright and shiny.

The 15-inch Minilite-style alloy wheels are free of damage bar the odd minor scuff to the outer rims. They’re shod with 205/50R15 Goodyear Eagle tyres on the rear and Firestone Firehawk on the front, all of which have a decent depth of tread remaining.

The black fabric hood is very good. It fits snugly and folds down easily. When fitted, it is taut and weatherproof and even the plastic rear window, which invariably goes milky with age, is still clear. The only issue of note seems to be the lower offside edge, which has come away a little. However, it does look like it could be fixed fairly easily.

At this point we normally mention the inevitable stonechips and minor marks that all cars collect as part and parcel of 21st century life – except in this case the flaws are so few and far between that the only significant ones we can see are some cracks on the nearside edge of the rear bumper and some weird worm-like marks in the paint on the rear panel at the base of the soft-top.

Imagine a two-year-old MGF that’s racked up considerably fewer miles than the average. Have you pictured it yet? If so, then you’ve successfully imagined this one.

The black Mirage cloth and leather really is in a remarkably clean condition with hardly any visible wear and a level of fit ‘n’ finish that makes you wonder why more people weren’t singing the praises of MG production tolerances in period.

So, the seats are still free of cracks and wear on the leather outer facings, and free of damage and piling on the cloth centres. True, there is some very gentle creasing to the outer edges, plus the odd small stain, but none are significant and all could be eased out should they bother you.

The door cards are very clean and tidy, as is the carpet. The dashboard is standard and free of extraneous holes, gauges and switches. Everything seems to work too, but then that’s usually the case with low-mileage MGFs like this.

There’s also a wind deflector fitted for ruffle-free drop-top motoring.

The front boot is very clean. With a solid, well-painted floor, it’s home to the battery and a good spare wheel and tyre. Hell, even the underbonnet light works, and that’s almost never the case. The rear boot is just as clean and very well carpeted and the netting is still taut and elastic. Oh, and the light in there works, too…

Faults? Well, none that we can see but why not pop along to see it for yourself?

If you run an online check then you might notice that the MGF’s MOT ran out in March. That’s the bad news. The good is that we will have popped a new one on by the end of the auction – and given that it passed the last six of ‘em without advisories, we aren’t anticipating any problems.

Other than that, there is nil to report apart from the need to pump the suspension up a little. The vendor tells us that it’s not bad, but it is definitely a little low.

We’ve driven it and agree with the owner that the Steptronic automatic gearbox isn’t the drawback you probably think it is. The MGF changes gear smartly and we, like him, never felt the need to intervene using the steering wheel-mounted flappy paddles.

The underside is good and solid with only moderate surface rust spoiling its appearance. It’s not even close to being a problem but if it were ours we’d invest a little time and money to bring it up to the same high standard as the rest of the car.

The MGF’s service history books shows the following:

• 29.05.2003 and 249 miles – service by Top Gear Cars

• 03.05.2005 and 4,834 miles – service by Howards MG Rover

• 21.09.2006 and 8,152 miles – service and cambelt by Howards MG Rover

• 15.11.2007 and 10,267 miles – service by E S Repairs

• 21.05.2008 and 12,318 miles – service by M&D Services

It has a number of expired MOT certificates plus an invoice to confirm some of the work that has been done to it over the years.

It also still has its original owner’s handbook, stamped service history booklet, book pack, and storage wallet plus two sets of keys, some old tax discs and a workshop manual.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained to a good standard.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We’ve sold a few low-mileage MGFs in the past couple of years and they always do well. Not that that should surprise us because we’re huge fans and think their reputation for fragility is unjustified. Nor does it help that so few realise how good they are to drive.

But, the cat is slowing inching its way out of the bag as more and more enthusiasts start to appreciate the MGF’s many charms - not that this growing popularity is necessarily represented in their value yet because they’ve still got a long way to go before they reach the heights we expect them to attain in due course.

For now, a lowly £3,000 to £6,000 should get you this one – and this is, you’ll recall, a genuine low-mileage pampered example in need of nothing bar the gentlest of paint correction.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us here at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.