Rover owners: Just bought an MG TF.

I have just bought a 2003 MG TF, 1.6 form a guy locally who wanted rid of it. He sold the car on eBay but when the buyer came he noticed the oil was all creamy and claimed the head gasket had gone so pulled out of the deal. The car runs and drives but on start up it's tappety. After 30 seconds it runs ok.

Now this car has been stored but has been in this guys way. He's moved it out of the garage in a morning and put it away at night everyday for over 12 months. The car hasn't had a run out at all in that time. I bought it cheap as he says the head gasket has gone.

Reading the forums, it seems these engines don't like to be stood, and this fault could just be condensation in the oil.

What are the chances of just changing the oil and the fault is cured? The seller claims it doesn't use any water.

I am quite prepared to change the head gasket if needed.