2005 MG ZT190+ Manual

Highlights

• 2.5-litre V6

• Manual gearbox

• High-spec interior

• Low mileage

• Very clean throughout

Overview

The much-revered MG marque may have long since been exported to distant shores, but it remains well loved here in its country of origin. Which makes it all the more interesting to be looking at an example of the last car MG produced in the UK, the ZT.

This particular ZT is a 190+, which means it has a ruddy lovely V6 engine under the bonnet and produces somewhere in the postcode of 190 horsepower. The little plus sign means it has a higher trim spec, including mod cons like dual-zone climate control and a DVD powered navigation system. Although we wouldn’t want to rely on a presumably long out of date disc to get you anywhere these days. So the addition of a touchscreen head unit on the dashboard is a welcome sight, and doesn’t look out of place among the plush leather upholstery. 

Mechanically, that V6 features four camshafts whirring away and is coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. It was serviced in November 2024 and the MOT is free from any advisories. 

Brilliant blue paintwork suits this car’s flamboyant performance, and the body panels appear to be well presented. The owner tells us that when they bought it, they had the car thoroughly checked over and repaired where necessary, with it remaining in the workshop for three whole weeks. 

You could see this MG as an important piece of our recent automotive heritage, and go all watery-eyed whenever you look at it. But we’d probably prefer to jump in and go for a drive, with the V6 soundtrack accompanying us as we head off into the sunset. 

History and documentation

• Registered 2 Sep 2004

• A service was carried out in Nov 2024 @ 52,478 miles

• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates

• Two sets of keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 12 Nov 2025

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Five former keepers

• HPI clear

• Private plate MG54 RAC included in sale

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The interior is in very good condition for its age, with few signs of wear 

• It has clearly been carefully maintained during the car’s twenty years on the road

• Half-leather/alcantara upholstery

• Some slight creasing to the driver’s seat bolster

• A little bobbling on the alcantara of the driver’s seat squab

• Electronic/mechanical seat adjusters

• Matching black carpets 

• There is a little sagging to the alcantara trim on the door cards

• Leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel

• Cruise control

• Dual-zone climate control

• Well-stocked dashboard 

• Centrally-mounted clock

• Analogue gauges in the instrument cluster 

• JVC touchscreen head unit 

• The half-leather upholstery continues onto the rear seats

• Headlining clean and tidy

• Spacious boot to the rear, with plenty of luggage capacity

• Full-size spare wheel and jack stored under the boot floor 

Exterior

• Finished in a beautiful shade of blue

• Four-door saloon, complete with rear spoiler and colour-matched bumpers

• The paint is in good condition and retains a good shine and deep colour

• There are some swirl marks visible which would probably buff out

• The body panels look good, without any significant damage or dents 

• No obvious corrosion or bubbling to the paint

• 18-inch alloy wheels

• All four tyres are said to be new

• There are a few scuffs to the wheel rims

• Chrome door handles

• ZT 190 badges

• The headlights show a little fogging

• Rear parking sensors

Mechanical

• 2,497 cc quad-cam V6 engine

• Produces 184 bhp, and 181 lb ft

• Top speed 137 mph, 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• The engine bay looks impressively clean

• Last serviced in Nov 2024, including an engine oil and filter change

• An exhaust hanger was replaced at the same time

• The seller tells us that the car was inspected locally after purchase, and found to be in excellent condition 

• The seller tells us that the car has not been driven much recently, as it was purchased as an investment

• No warning lights or mechanical issues reported 

Summary

Here you don’t have to choose between nostalgia and performance: you can have both. The swan-song of the British-built MG is worthy of being appreciated for its driving experience as well as its place in history. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in March, Cambridgeshire.