Another near miss!

https://www.peterboroughclassiccars.com/mg-tf-2005

Looked to be a serious prospect.  Apparently deposit already taken - drat.

At least there seems to be a few about.  

Im sorry to hear you missed out on that. It looked a reallt nice car.

Cheers!   It did tick a lot of boxes!  Green hood as well. Still  - no rush.  That been 3 Anniversary cars I've seen so they look like having a good survival rate.

Still showing as For Sale - which is irritating.

Plenty more fish in the sea, but it is due a new cam belt in 2025, so you dodged that.
Also, look for one with ss underfloor coolant pipes, use that also as a bargaining chip if nothing else.
Also at 42k miles, check for oil leaks at the cam pulley wheels and gear box where the linkage passes through a seal.
 

The plan was rag it around for a short while then up on the ramp and go through the whole deal.
H.G. / uprated bolts / Oil Rail / Water Pipes / New hoses / Thermostat. Try and make it strong as possible. 
Slight problem I will not know which HG until I have the head off OR what skims have already been done.
Plus it might not make it  far enough before throwing a wobble.
OR
I could change the badge!
 

I went to Elancentral web site and the first thread was how to change the Head Gasket!! Enough to make me buy a cast iron TR4.

Ah, another one who has believed the general public's line that changing a head gasket on a K series needs to be done as preventative maintenance because it must otherwise just be ready to let go.

Do the sniffer test. If the head gasket has not started to go bad then the received wisdom is that it should be left alone. Instead, add a coolant level alarm so you can be sure to remove the main cause for head gasket failure.

Yes as Notanumber has said, low level coolant alarm for sure.

Yeah I agree if the head gasket is still good leave the damned thing alone, there is nothing to be gained by buggerising about with it and the risk of creating problems all too likely

The problem I'd have at buying is I would not have a clue about the history or genuine condition.  Hasn't been used for a while?
Soon as you start using it firmly - instant Thomas the Tank Engine.

Like this member -  https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/9-mgf-tf-pitstop/99503-coolant-loss-still-happening-after-headgasket-changed#211730

Exactly my concern.  "2003 MG TF came with no problems as far as I could tell and many people have commented on its good condition. After a drive to wales and back Lo-Coolant alarm went off and after some investigation i found I was loosing coolant"

Can the leak test be used on a cold engine as a check upon inspection?  £12 loss could be a bargain.

There is no doubt that the K series head is a week spot & sticking it at the other end of the car from the radiator doesn’t help much, it has to be remembered that other cars have head problems & those cars don’t have K series engines. In fact there are much newer engine designs from renown manufacturers where the head problems are as note worthy as ours.
It’s almost a joyous occasion when a gasket fails, it’s what’s expected, isn’t it. All the “Pub Pundits” will be hooting with laughter & saying “we said it would happen & We told you so”. Do these experts react the same when another Mini engine has to have the lid off?
It’s a reasonable assumption that if there is an aftermarket low coolant alarm fitted (preferably Bruce’s) & by the previous owner then they have had the head done; the amount of care taken subsequently will, in all probability, be double plus.
Buying an f or tf isn’t the deformed pig in a hessian sack it has been, they are regarded as modern classics & are nurtured, hence our T-Bar transactions. Perfection might be available, but at what cost?
Decide on a budget, do your homework, inspect the prospect thoroughly & be prepared to accept the frailties or walk away.
My guess is that you knew that already, however a little reassurance is useful when a toe is being dipped in water of any temperature, especially if you don’t know what temperature you are prepared to tolerate.
I drove past a blue f, went back for a better look, then broke all the common sense rules & bought it. What turned into a delight could have easily been a disaster.
M

And buying at a premium price from a well known dealer doesn't guarantee non-HGF either.
Isn't that the way with all cars; they all have their weaknesses and ours is HGF.
Sorry, sounds unhelpful but at least our cars are such good value for money and most HGF are fixable for reasonable money.

Thanks for the responses chaps.
Ignore my negativity, I'm probably still traumatised by the experience of the +2!

Spent serious wedge on a one owner, 25K restoration.  Checked and double checked by people who knew the bast  bodger   restoration +2 specialists!
Spent a long time talking and discussing with the P.O.  Everything seems to check out - you know where this is going!

And it was a total dog that cost £5K and 2 years to sort.  https://forums.lotuselan.net/t/yellow-2s-130-5-for-sale-sold/26024

Maybe I'm a bit twitchy.
Vince