Some original or vintage replacement parts of the MGA may contain asbestos. Friction linings of clutch disc, brake shoes and pads, and the carburetor heat shield are the prime suspects. Sixty plus years on, most of the brake and clutch parts have likely been replaced with more modern materials, but the carburetor heat shield will often survive as the original issue part. This will be an problem if someone wants to import the car into Australia where asbestos content is strictly prohibited.

On 10/3/2023, Mark Hester wrote:
"How do you tell if this heat shield is still the original asbestos type?
This car will be exported to Australia next week, so can't contain any asbestos".


I'm not there to scratch and sniff, but it looks original to me (photos above). Original asbestos pads look like tightly woven yarn where you can see the weave pattern in the surface. Not really woven, but it is pressed into sheets looking like that. When the edges are cut the fine fibers fray a little, then looking like the cut ends of yarn.

Modern replacement parts commonly have ceramic insulation that looks like smooth plastic sheet (photo at right). I suppose you could take it off to have some expert inspect it. But for the cost of inspection you might just install a new replacement heat shield.