On this day in auto history - December 8th

Tue 8th Dec 2020

It was on this day in 1979 that a crisis-torn British Leyland ceased production on the iconic sports car, the MG Midget.

First launched by MG in 1961 with a price-tag of £669, the Midget was a two-door roadster which shared many similarities with the popular Austin-Healey Sprite and had a top-speed of 87.9 mph.

The vehicle received numerous facelifts over the years, most notably in 1972 when the body-styling was changed to rounded wheel-arches and a second exhaust silencer was introduced. This version of the Midget is considered by many aficionados to be its most desirable.

The Midget continued to sell well until the late 1970’s but British Leyland’s decision to close MG’s historic Abingdon plant brought about its demise.

Given their affordability, accessibility of parts and relative ease to maintain, MG Midgets remain in high demand within the classic car market.

The tax values are provided by a third-party supplier and while every effort is made to ensure their accuracy please double check with your advisor. If the car was registered after 31/03/2017 then it is subject to new tax rules. All prices we display are for the cars second tax payment onwards. You can find out information on the cars first tax payment here

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

Rates for second tax payment onwards

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£180	£180	£189	£99	£94.50
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£170	£170	£178.50	£93.50	£89.25

Alternative fuel vehicles include hybrids, bioethanol and liquid petroleum gas.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £390 a year if you have a car with a ‘list price’ (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000. You do not have to pay this if you have a zero emission vehicle.

You only have to pay this rate for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

Check the list price with your dealer so you know how much vehicle tax you’ll have to pay.

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£570	£570	£598.50	£313.50	£299.25
Alternative	£560	£560	£588	£308	£294