XPart, the CAT Logistics-owned MG Rover OE parts distributor, has secured the release of thousands of body panels that were locked in at the Longbridge plant after MG Rover went into administration in April.

XPart is ferrying 140 container-loads of ‘body in white’ panels to its distribution centre in Leicestershire for assessment and stock-planning ahead of its return to market availability.

The company has now reached agreement to buy the remaining body panel stocks outright and has brought in its own fork lift trucks and parts handling teams to deal with the stockpile which was released from the Longbridge plant last week.

An XPart spokesman said: "Our priority has been to re-establish and secure the ready availability of genuine body panels for the long-term and now we have achieved that. We want to thank our wholesaler network and their customers for their understanding.

"It is important to emphasise that availability of virtually all other genuine parts for MG Rover cars has continued without interruption throughout this time and will continue to do so."