The MG TD side profile tells you more about the car's condition and history than a front or rear view alone
When you're looking at an MG TD from the side, you're seeing the car's proportions, stance, and structural integrity all at once. The side view reveals whether the body sits level, whether panels line up correctly, and whether rust or damage has warped the frame. A well-maintained TD should have even gaps between doors and fenders, paint that matches in color and texture, and a body that doesn't sag or lean. The side view is also where you spot accident damage that might have been repaired poorly — misaligned panels, overspray on trim, or a chassis that sits lower on one end than the other.
The MG TD was built from 1949 to 1953, and most surviving cars are now 70 years old or older. Rust and frame damage are the most common problems you'll see from the side, especially along the rocker panels (the metal between the front and rear wheels) and the bottom edges of the doors. A side view also lets you check the condition of the running boards, the trim that runs along the lower body, and whether the wheels are the correct size and style for the year.
Key Takeaways
- The side view shows whether the body is level and whether panels align evenly — signs of either accident damage or frame rust.
- Rocker panels and door bottoms are the first places rust appears on an MG TD, and rust here means structural work will be needed.
- Paint color and texture should match across the entire side; mismatched paint or overspray suggests a previous repair.
- The wheels should be the correct size and style for the year, and the car should sit at the same height on both sides.
- Dents, creases, or waviness in the body panels indicate either impact damage or rust that has eaten through the metal from inside.
How to check whether the body is level and straight
Stand back about 10 feet from the side of the car and look along the length of it, as if you're sighting down a rifle barrel. The roofline, the belt line (the crease that runs along the middle of the door), and the bottom edge of the car should all form straight, parallel lines from front to back. If any of these lines dips, rises, or bends, the frame has been damaged or the body has sagged from rust.
Next, look at the gaps between the door and the fender, and between the door and the body behind it. These gaps should be even — roughly the same width at the top, middle, and bottom of the door. If the gap is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, or vice versa, the door or fender has shifted out of alignment, usually from an accident or from rust that has weakened the mounting points.
Check whether the car sits at the same height on both sides. Walk around to the front and rear and compare the distance between the wheel and the fender on the driver's side to the same distance on the passenger's side. If one side sits noticeably lower, the frame may be bent, the suspension may be damaged, or the springs may have weakened with age.
What rust looks like and where to find it first
Rust on an MG TD starts as discoloration — a dull brown or orange patch under the paint — and progresses to bubbling paint, then to holes. From the side view, the most vulnerable spots are the rocker panels (the metal between the wheels), the bottom edges of the doors, the area where the fender meets the running board, and the rear quarter panel (the metal behind the rear wheel). These areas collect water and road salt and are hardest to keep dry.
Surface rust — rust that has not yet eaten through the metal — can sometimes be treated and painted over. Rust that has created holes or that has weakened the metal so much that you can push through it with a finger means the panel will need to be replaced or welded. Run your hand along the rocker panels and the bottom of the doors; if the metal feels thin, wavy, or soft, structural rust is present.
Rust around the door bottoms is especially common because water drains down the inside of the door and pools at the bottom. Look for rust stains running down from the door seams, or for paint that is bubbling or peeling along the bottom edge of the door. This usually means rust is active inside the door as well, not just on the surface.
Paint condition and what mismatches tell you
Original MG TD paint was usually a solid color — black, red, green, or cream — with no metallic or pearl finish. If the paint on the side of the car looks shiny and new while the paint on the roof or hood looks dull and old, the side panels have been repainted. This is not necessarily bad — many TDs have been repainted — but it means you should ask why. A repaint after an accident is common; a repaint because rust was treated is also common.
Look for overspray — paint that has landed on the trim, the rubber seals, the windows, or the chrome. Overspray means the car was painted without masking off these parts carefully, which suggests either a quick repair job or an amateur paint job. Overspray on the windows or trim is a sign that the work was not done by a professional shop.
The color should be consistent across the entire side. If the door is a slightly different shade than the fender, or if the color looks different in bright sunlight than it does in shade, the panels may have been painted at different times or by different shops. This can indicate piecemeal repairs over time, which is normal for a 70-year-old car, but it's worth noting.
Dents, creases, and waviness in the body panels
Small dents are common on old cars and are usually not a structural concern. A dent that you can see but not feel is cosmetic. A dent that you can feel — one that has sharp edges or that has creased the metal — is more serious because it means the metal has been bent sharply, which weakens it. A crease that runs across a panel, especially if it's accompanied by paint cracks or paint loss, suggests impact damage.
Waviness or rippling in the body panels — a wavy appearance that looks like the metal is not flat — usually means rust has eaten the metal from the inside, and the panel is beginning to collapse. This is different from a dent, which is a localized impact. Waviness across a large area means the panel will need to be replaced.
Look along the side of the car in bright sunlight or under a work light. The reflection should be smooth and unbroken. If you see multiple small waves or if the reflection is distorted, the body has rust damage or has been poorly repaired.
Wheels, tires, and running boards
The MG TD came with 16-inch wire wheels as original equipment. Some cars have been fitted with later-model wheels, which is a modification but not necessarily a problem. The tires should match in size and condition on both sides. If one tire is significantly more worn than the other, the car may have been driven with a bent axle or with the brakes dragging on one side.
The running boards — the metal steps that run along the lower body — should be intact and not rusted through. Running boards are often the first place rust breaks through because they are exposed to road spray and are difficult to keep dry. A running board with holes or with large areas of rust means water has been getting into the body for a long time.
Check the condition of the trim that runs along the top of the running board and along the bottom of the doors. This trim is usually stainless steel or chrome and should not be heavily pitted or corroded. Heavy corrosion of the trim suggests the car has been exposed to salt or has been stored in a damp environment for years.
What to ask the seller based on what you see
If you notice misaligned panels, ask whether the car has been in an accident and what repairs were made. Ask for documentation of the repair work if it was done professionally. If you see rust, ask how long the car has been stored and whether it has been garaged or left outside. Ask whether the rust is active (still spreading) or whether it has been treated and sealed.
If the paint has been redone, ask when and why. If the car has been repainted multiple times, ask what damage or rust prompted each repaint. If the body sits lower on one side, ask whether the suspension has been worked on and whether the springs are original or have been replaced.
A seller who can answer these questions with specific details and who has documentation is more trustworthy than one who says "I don't know" or who gives vague answers. The side view is where you gather the information you need to ask the right follow-up questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if the roofline dips in the middle?
A dip in the roofline usually means the frame has sagged from rust or age, or the car was in a rollover accident and the roof was pushed down. This is a serious structural problem that will require frame work to fix. Have a mechanic inspect the frame before you buy.
Is surface rust on the rocker panels a deal-breaker?
Surface rust that has not eaten through the metal can be treated, sanded, and painted. If you can't push through the metal with your finger, it's likely surface rust only. Rust that has created holes or that feels thin and soft means the panel needs to be replaced or welded, which is expensive.
Should I worry if the paint doesn't match the original color?
No. Most MG TDs have been repainted at least once in 70 years. What matters is whether the current paint is in good condition and whether the car has been properly repaired underneath. Ask the seller why it was repainted and whether any rust or damage was addressed at the same time.
Can I tell from the side view whether the engine runs?
No. The side view tells you about the body and frame condition only. You'll need to start the engine, listen to it run, and take the car for a test drive to know whether the mechanical systems work. A beautiful side view can hide serious engine problems.
What if the car leans to one side when parked?
A lean usually means the suspension springs have weakened or broken, or the frame is bent. This is not safe to drive and will need to be repaired before the car is roadworthy. Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and frame alignment.