• Fewer than 10 examples left on the road in the UK

 • Being re-presented for sale due to buyers change in circumstances before viewing/collection

 • Completely original and unmodified

 • Comprehensively restored

 • Just 5 owners from new, current since 2017

 • Near immaculate inside and out with low original mileage

It’s not often that the British decide to take the fight to the German sports saloon heavy-hitters, but that’s precisely what Austin Rover decided to do with the MG Montego. 

Based on the standard saloon – which itself was based on its sister car, the Maestro – the MG Montego offered healthy performance and a good level of equipment for much less cost than similar offerings from BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

The MG Montego came in two flavours, this 2.0i (badged as EFI on earlier models) and the more powerful Turbo version. Both are highly sought after collector’s cars these days.

Like so many Austin Rover products, many didn’t survive the ravages of British roads and salt-heavy winters. But for many of us, these were the cars our parents drove us to school in, or the car we wished they did.

As a slice of undistilled 80s nostalgia, they’re hard to beat. Add to that the fact that they’re genuinely good cars to drive, are increasingly rare (we think there are fewer than ten 1989 MG Montegos on the road in the UK) and are increasing in value and what you have here is a genuine retro performance saloon bargain.

 • Originally registered in August 1989

 • Spent most of its life in Northern Ireland

 • Came across to the mainland UK in 2017

 • Genuine mileage of just 66,041, backed up by old MOTs

 • Current MOT until 20 May 2022

 • Just five owners from new

 • Includes the original handbook

 • HPi Clear certificate

 • Completely original interior

 • Period Philips Radio/Cassette system with 4 speakers

 • Electric front windows and mirrors

 • Powered glass slide/tilt sunroof

One of the advantages of retro cars is the incredible visibility – you notice it as soon as you climb into the Montego’s cabin. With slim pillars and good-sized mirrors, all-round visibility is superb and the large glasshouse gives the cabin a light and airy feel. This is helped by the traditional light-grey fabric seats, with flourishes of red and ‘2.0’ badges, just to make sure you remember you’re sat in the quick Montego.

Those seats grip well, with small bolsters providing just enough hold, and precisely the right compromise between firmness and comfort. And they’re in very nice condition here, with no tears, significant wear or holes. 

Whether you’re in the front or back, there’s plenty of room and four adults can easily travel in comfort. The carpets are dark grey with bespoke black rubber mats in the rear compartment, and the headlining is a similar grey to the seating.

All of the interior materials are original and, while showing some light signs of use and wear, are generally in excellent condition.

Early MG Montegos had the LCD digital display. Thankfully this is a facelift model, which saw Austin Rover revert back to analogue dials as the digital display was notoriously fragile and unreliable. From a usability point of view, this is definitely the set-up you want. 

The boot is large and very practical, easily able to carry enough for a family of four to have a week away (which we can personally attest to as we spent many hours in the back of one of these as a child).

Under the grey carpet, there’s a full-size spare and the original tools, all in fine condition. The boot floor itself is in remarkably good condition, looking almost factory fresh.

These were a common point of failure on the Montego, so it gives confidence in the car’s quality to see it looking so good.

 • Completely original, finished in shining red paintwork

 • Original rubber MG mudflaps

 • Original 15” alloys in fine condition with nearly-new Kumho tyres

 • Incredibly clean underside

Austin Rover cars were renowned at the time for succumbing to corrosion. If you want to understand just how well-kept this car is, consider this – we couldn’t find a single speck of corrosion or a significant blemish on the paintwork of this car. 

Not anywhere. For a Montego of any vintage, that is incredible. The paint appears to be in very good condition, with only a few normal ‘cleaning swirls’ that should polish out with no problem. All of the body panels are undamaged, straight and well gapped. This is a vehicle that has really been cherished over its life.

All of the external trim and glass, mirrors, lights and badges are present and correct. Some of the badges are a bit faded and showing signs of wear and sun damage as they’re the original items, but otherwise everything looks very tidy and presentable. We couldn’t see any cracks or chips in the lights or glass, and no significant stone-chip damage to the usual areas.

The underside of the car is worth dwelling on. We’ve rarely seen such a clean and solid looking floorpan on a Austin Rover car, certainly not one of this vintage. 

A lot of work has clearly gone into keeping the car in top notch condition, even in all the places people don’t see. Inside the wheel arches, under the sills, the visible mechanical components of the drivetrain – all look to be in excellent, clean, original condition.

Also still present are the classic original ‘cross spoke’ 15-inch alloy wheels. Barring a couple of very minor blemishes these are all in great condition, and are shod in matching Kumho tyres that look to be nearly new. 

They suit the character of the car perfectly, we’re so glad to see them on the car as many MG Montegos were subjected to dubious aftermarket alloy wheels. It’s nice to see one in such original condition.

The one aspect of the exterior that a new owner may wish to address is the boot lid spoiler. As often happened with these rubber spoilers, it has suffered from some sun damage and is slightly cracked in a few places.

It may not need a new unit as it may be something a body shop could repair, but it is worth noting.

 • Genuine mileage of just 66,041

 • 2.0i (1,994cc) 4-cylinder petrol delivering 115bhp

 • Front-wheel-drive

 • 5-speed Honda-developed manual gearbox

 • Independent front suspension, semi-independent rear

 • Vented brake discs at front, drums rear

Mechanically, the MG Montego is a very well thought-out, robust and surprisingly enjoyable machine. 

Here, the revvy naturally-aspirated engine starts quickly, idles and revs smoothly and sounds great. It’s a pokey little engine, delivering surprisingly good performance and making good use of its 115bhp to offer a 0-60 time of less than 9 seconds. Pretty swift for the time, and still more than enough to keep up with modern traffic.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very clean and tidy with no hint of any leaks, overheating issues or any damage or corrosion. It’s remarkably clean in fact.

To drive, the car feels tight, well-mannered and everything works as you’d expect. We found the engine revved well, the suspension felt supple and not wallowy, the steering was crisp, the brakes firm underfoot and the Honda-developed gearbox felt great to snick though.

Obviously, we only had a brief time with the car, but the owner assures us that the car drives excellently and is very reliable.

The MG Montego has aged very well, it’s a handsome design that offers a great combination of tidy handling, solid mechanicals and genuinely practical usability. There’s still a big following for these cars, with parts and technical advice readily available through owners clubs and various specialist outlets.

But this specific car makes a compelling case for itself by manner of just how well preserved it is. We’ve seen, sat in and driven a lot of 1980s Austin Rover cars, and quite a few Montegos, and we’ve never been in one that was quite this tidy inside and out. 

Not only is the body and interior in exceptional condition, but mechanically this car drives superbly. And having covered just 66,041 miles from new, there’s a lot of life left in it yet.

If you want a practical classic that’s reliable, fun to drive, ripe with nostalgia and only about a weekend’s work away from concours ready, this is the car for you.

It’s delicious and, to be honest, we want it.


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