According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1980 MG MGB has 3 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Sill and Rocker Rot — the Structural Cancer That Lets the Body Sag ($1,500-$6,000 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $250 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 1962-1980 MG MGB 1800 B-series I4, the MGB is monocoque (unibody), so the rocker/sill assembly is a stressed structural member, not just trim. The factory built the sill as three layers — outer sill skin, inner sill, and the boxed 'castle rail' truss between them — with poor sealing at the seams. Road dirt packs into the sill, the inner cavity is never drained or waxed, and moisture sits trapped against bare steel. The worst pocket is where the rear of the sill meets the rear wheel-arch — an almost inch-deep open trap pointing down-and-back. Once the castle rail and inner sill rot, the shell loses rigidity: the doors drop and stop latching, the door gaps go uneven, and the whole body flexes and 'scuttle shakes' over bumps. Other classic rust traps feed the same problem: the front wing dogleg ahead of the windscreen, the inner-wing valance ledge, the headlamp bowls and the floor edges.
Common Symptoms
Doors drop and won't latch / uneven door gaps
Bubbling or holes along the rocker between door and rear wheel arch
Body flexes, creaks or scuttle-shakes over bumps
Soft/crunchy metal when probed at sill ends and floor edges
Rust bubbles at front wing dogleg by the windscreen and headlamp bowls
How to Fix
Don't skim over it with filler — restorers cut out and replace the full sill stack: inner sill, castle-rail/middle truss, outer sill, plus floor patch and lower fender repair panels, jigging the door gap before welding so the structure is restored, not just the skin. The bulletproofing step the forums insist on is what the factory skipped: after fabrication, weld-through primer on mating faces, seam-seal every joint, then flood the boxed sill and all cavities with a wax-based cavity injection (Waxoyl/Dynax) through the drain holes and drill access points, and keep the sill drains clear. Many restorers also add a removable inspection/drain provision so the cavity can be re-waxed every few years. Properly repaired and waxed sills outlast the original by decades.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Side-specific structural sill-stack repair after the shell is braced and the corrosion extent is exposed Fitment/availability: The inspected direct U.S. page identifies configurable MGB repair kits containing the rocker panel, vertical i…
Post-welding corrosion protection inside repaired sills and boxed cavities Fitment/availability: The inspected direct U.S. page identifies Dynax S50 aerosol cavity wax for cavities, sills and box sections with a purchase control.
On the 1962-1980 MG MGB 1800 B-series I4, the Leyland AKD 3259 manual identifies Armstrong double-acting lever-arm dampers at the front and rear. It says erratic resistance or free body movement requires the damper to be removed, checked and topped up; if fluid does not restore resistance, the damper should be replaced. This supports the generic worn or ineffective lever-arm-damper identity but not a universal failure rate.
Common Symptoms
corner-specific bounce and resistance compared
leakage, mounting, link and bush condition inspected
bench resistance rechecked after correct fluid and air purge
How to Fix
Inspect each damper for leakage and secure mountings, bounce each corner for uniform resistance, and check links, bushes, springs and tires before blaming the damper. If resistance is erratic or free, remove the unit upright, check fluid and work the arm through its stroke to expel air; replace the damper only if correct fluid does not restore moderate, even resistance. Do not buy a front or rear damper from this page; failed position, linkage condition and exact fitment must be confirmed first.
On the 1968-1980 MG MGB 1800 B-series I4, the MGB's cooling system has little reserve margin even when healthy, and decades of scale silt up the radiator core and clog passages in the block, dropping flow and capacity. Later cars are worse: emissions-era retarded timing, the larger/heavier-breathing engine, and (on US cars) the deletion of the earlier engine-driven fan in some setups all add heat. The result is the well-known tendency to creep hot in summer traffic, on hills, or at idle — risking boil-over, head-gasket failure, and warped heads. A blocked or under-capacity radiator is usually the real culprit, not the thermostat.
Common Symptoms
Temperature climbs in traffic, on hills, or at idle then drops when moving
Coolant boil-over / overflow loss in summer
Heater stays cool (silted core / low flow)
Engine runs progressively hotter as the season warms
Repeated head-gasket failures from overheating
How to Fix
Restore the whole system, then add margin. The proven package: re-core or replace the radiator with an oversized high-efficiency aluminum radiator, fit a new high-flow water pump, a correct 180F thermostat (don't run without one), and a properly sealed fan shroud so the fan actually pulls air through the core. Where the original mechanical fan is marginal, the popular bulletproofing upgrade is a thermostatically-switched electric fan — a large (12–13 inch) Kenlowe-type fan in a blower/pusher configuration with an in-tank thermal switch — which cures the idle/traffic heat soak and frees a little power. Reverse-flush the block to clear silt, use the correct coolant mix with corrosion inhibitor, and verify ignition timing, since retarded timing alone will run a B hot.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Moss Motors aluminum radiator 459-666
OEMMoss Motors 459-666
Confirm model year, mounting points, hose outlets and surrounding damage before purchas
1968-1976 negative-ground pusher-fan airflow branch when stationary airflow is measured inadequate Fitment/availability: The inspected configurable Moss page includes Revotec 231-681 for 1962-1976 negative-ground MGB as a pusher-fan kit …
WIDESPREAD LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE OPERATION OF WEBBING SENSITIVE AND DUAL SENSITIVE SEAT BELTS HAS LEAD TO NON-USE OF BELTS BY A NUMBER OF OWNERS. SOME BELTS RETRACTORS MAY JAM, BIND OR LOCK. THIS MAY DISCOURAGE THE USE OF THE SAFETY BELTS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: NON-USE OF SEAT BELTS SUBJECTS OCCUPANTS TO RISK OF INJURY IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN BRAKING.
Campaign #85V05900007/05/1985
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND VEHICLE IDENDIFICATION NUMBER PLATES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 115, "VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER-BASIC REQUIREMENTS".
Campaign #82V07200019/07/1982
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
THE RETAINING SCREWS ON THE FUEL BOWL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LOOSEN, ALLOWING SEEPAGE OF GASOLINE FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Campaign #78V08900024/04/1978
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE OVERDRIVE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Campaign #78V16400002/08/1978
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1980 MG MGB has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Sill and Rocker Rot — the Structural Cancer That Lets the Body Sag, Worn Lever-Arm Dampers Let the Front and Rear Float, Marginal Cooling — Old Radiator and Smog-Era Heat Soak Cause Overheating. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the MG MGB reliable?
The 1980 MG MGB has 3 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Sill and Rocker Rot — the Structural Cancer That Lets the Body Sag. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common MG MGB problems?
Repair costs for known MG MGB issues range from $250 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Sill and Rocker Rot — the Structural Cancer That Lets the Body Sag, typically costs $1,500-$6,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1962-1980 MG MGB Sill and Rocker Rot — the Structural Cancer That Lets the Body Sag?
The MGB is monocoque (unibody), so the rocker/sill assembly is a stressed structural member, not just trim. The factory built the sill as three layers — outer sill skin, inner sill, and the boxed 'castle rail' truss between them — with poor sealing at the seams. Road dirt packs i… Repairs typically run $1,500-$6,000. Severity: high.
What is the 1962-1980 MG MGB Worn Lever-Arm Dampers Let the Front and Rear Float?
The Leyland AKD 3259 manual identifies Armstrong double-acting lever-arm dampers at the front and rear. It says erratic resistance or free body movement requires the damper to be removed, checked and topped up; if fluid does not restore resistance, the damper should be replaced. Severity: medium.
What is the 1968-1980 MG MGB Marginal Cooling — Old Radiator and Smog-Era Heat Soak Cause Overheating?
The MGB's cooling system has little reserve margin even when healthy, and decades of scale silt up the radiator core and clog passages in the block, dropping flow and capacity. Later cars are worse: emissions-era retarded timing, the larger/heavier-breathing engine, and (on US ca… Repairs typically run $250-$1,000. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
