Advice on this pretty BRG F please.

https://www.mgsforsale.com/cars/mgf-1-8i-2000-one-lady-owner-25-years-w12mgf


Firstly the Ad. states 1.8i but I thought that the ABS / Rear spoiler / chunky wheels indicated VVC ??  Dealer seems not to know as in reply to my questioning whether the wheels were correct he said that spare 15inch are plentiful. I read in the Parker "bible" that 2000 year VVC had those share profile wheels. Single Lady owner unlikely to faff about with spoiler / wheel ad ons?
Underneath images look good as far as can be seen?
I was originally after all cream interior but bits seem easy to get from scrappers.  Interior looks far cleaner /condition than many I've seen (Maybe Lady owners are more careful?)
A bit "leggie" at 71K miles?  Although MoT history looks better than most. 

I assume the VIN will confirm whether the car was built standard or VVC?  
http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/Chassis_numbers/index.htm
Indicates that on the VIN the engine is 8th letter.   
"The 8th letter is invaluable for identifying the engine originally fitted to the car. "G" is the 1.8 16 valve K-series engine in 120PS (118 bhp) tune. When this engine is upgraded to the 135PS state of tune, the letter changed to "K". "T" denotes a 145PS VVC, which when in the 160PS tune, changes to the letter "P". The 1.6-litre 16-valve K-series gets the letter "E".

So the VIN should state "T" - correct?
Of course that does not mean the engine has not been swapped but there is no mention of that.
Comments Please.
Vince

Take some insight from someone who was heavily involved in the motor trade over the years:
Most dealers have the arrogance so prevalent in the profession , they're too full of their own bullshit to realise that they don't know it all!
So it should  come as no great surprise that they don't know what they're looking at, when it comes to things like engine spec. Hence the dealer having no idea how to answer questions about engine specs.

Anyone making the assumption that a single lady owner wouldn't faff about with the options list, never met my sister!
But even if the original buyer didn't faff about with the option list that doesn't mean the car wasn't ordered that way by the dealer, often dealers will put a high optioned version into the demonstrator fleet or showroom stock, it makes selling the options easier if the customer can see  and experience the benefits of having "all the fruit" it makes to low spec less profitable "poverty pack" versions look less appealing. Its upselling!

71K miles is nothing  in my country, barely "run in"

The VIN should indicate the spec of the engine as you say but you can also use the Vin to determine if the engine nas beem swapped out at some stage as the engine number and the VIN wont mach if the engine has been swapped!

Over all going by the pics (which is all I can go on) that car looks a good un, but I would suggest giving it a good going over before parting with the "hard earned"


 

Beside VIN numner you do not hve at this moment, you can spot if car left the factory with VVC engine by looking at its instrument cluster.

120/135 engine is non VVC and its rpm iinstrument will have red line starting at 6800 rpms.
145/160 is VVC engine and its rpm instrument will have red line starting at 7200 rpms.

See below:

120/135 engine non VVC:

 

145/160 VVC engine:

 


So by looking onto available pictures you can see rpms instrument:

 

and by that this car left the factory with VVC engine. Weather or not it have it right now you will need to see.
 

I am with cobber, it looks very tidy, due a cambelt change I would think given it was renewed 30k miles ago, though it does not say when, as strictly speaking 5 years is the norm.
But at £3.5 k nobody is being robbed.

As with so many things, the devil is in the detail & short of taking your torch & scrabbling about you’ll never find the bastard.
It looks a nice car & as the phone number is Welwyn GC (01707) & the advertisement pertains to an MG specialist one should expect a higher price than a forecourt in Scunthorpe.
The lady owner has credence; the interior looks in great condition, it would take a fastidious detailer to expunge 25years worth of mangrot. This is born out with that rather lovely tonneau.
The wheels aren’t standard VVC , so there’s a question mark. If you look in the engine compartment the air plenum (centre right) should have VVC cast in to it, silver letters on a black ground. 
Back to the price. You can land one for less than 1k then set about slaying the devil, in all his forms; so unless this is your thing, have a think. 
what are the tyres like & more importantly what are the tyres. If they’re dead end tyres that could be your first expense. 
If you’re comfortable with it go for it, at least you won’t be faced with hitting the internet look for a spoiler of the right colour & condition. 
M
PS sorry Scunthorpe. 

Thanks to All.

It appears that the question was a non question after all.
An Ad.  in Classic Cars For Sale states it is - "2000 Mg Mgf 1.8I Vvc"   For some reason he did not put this in the Ad on his Web Site?
Plus - according to the Parker Bible the Wheels are correct as well!  "The 2000 model-year VVC model all moved up to 16in wheels with 6 square spokes"

Thanks for the info. re the rev limit markings - and easy check I had forgotten.

Cam Belt - allegedly changed at 45000 miles so about 26000 done since, BUT that was (MoT check) 2010 so 15 years ago!  

Good Prod about the tyres - going by the general condition I would hope for at least all the same.  However age and which tyres could be another matter.

About an hour away so I'll probably give it a punt.

Cobber - Car Dealers - Once had a chappie in hideous shoes trying to convince me the water pipes on a Sunbeam Stiletto (Imp in Party Dress) had a front radiator and pipes that went through the passenger door.  (I always wondered why they lost water!) 

What's the check for suspenders?  Should be easy to bounce front and back?.  

What's the 4 exhaust outlets all about?  Are 2 dummies by any chance?

Vince

Thanks for the VVC wheel information, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been around these cars, there’s always a nugget to learn.
The four exhaust pipes are in all probability for show. As you know doubt know one pipe is all that is really required but four simply looks great. In my case it was a cost effective modification, the finials I wanted were half as much again.
As with your Marshall 100w head, if it goes up to eleven, it’s got to be louder than a standard one that only goes to ten. Stacked 4 x 12’s is louder still: four pipes is simply better.
M

If you want a small bargaining point, the drivers side seat bolster has been stitched I think, this is not surprising of course, they all go there eventually as we slide past them when getting in the car.
Also, check the seat belts retract quickly, if not, another bargaining point as of course you will inform the man it will need new ones, but for your info this is not necessarily the case as a clean of the complete belt with soapy water will usually cure said laziness.
Another bargaining point, are the rear light electrical connections in the boot protected with aftermarket plastic guards?
If not you may want to point out how important they are to you.
Take a look at this too,
 

Good luck and I hope the viewing goes well.

Some great advice here already.
It's a good looking car and it's got a decent mot history report with no rust issues. 
Maybe go for a test drive to check out how the suspension feels.
I would consider the fact that it's due for a cambelt change and possibly tyres as bargaining points. 

 

Tyres as described by dealer -

N/S/F Kumho 215/40/15  date appears to read 02/08/13
O/S/F Falken 215/40/16  date appears to be 2017?
O/S/R Champiro uhp1 215/40/15  date appears to read 05/2012
N/S/R Champiro uhp1 215/40/15  date appears to read 2014?

I am assuming that the 3 X 15 inch Dia is a mistake by the dealer.  Either way youngest may be 8 years and a bit of a mix.   All will have to go.  

So 4 new tyres and, at least a new cam belt.  All adds up! 

I note the 2000 MGF has front and rear the same - any idea what the reasoning was there?

What the current favourite replacement?

All 16" wheels had the same tyre size 215 /40 16 until the Trophy came along introducing the thinner fronts. It was a popular size and they could buy them cheap in bulk.🤣
The Trophy change was supposed to reduce oversteer, but my Freestyle with 215 all around sticks to the road like sh.. to a blanket! 
Incidentally the F is a lot less picky about its tyres than the TF. But 3 different brands probably not a great idea, lol.

The exhaust is probably stainless and could be a Daytona...The best available.