Based on the workshop manual you have to remove the complete front dash to get to the relay which is mounted on the bulkhead beefing the dash. This means removing or lowering the steering wheel column as well.
After some discussions on the MGRV8 Facebook groups one of the members was certain it was accessible without removing the dash so I would try that first.
After removing centre consol fascia and side panels you can just see these relays tucked away. To get at them I removed the 4 heating ducts which go from the heater to the dash vents and screen which made the relays quite accessible. Removing the seats would make the job easier but not necessary if you are quite agile.
Relay 1 that lies on top of the transmission tunnel is then accessible from the drivers footwell and Relay 2 from the passenger footwell. You can get a good grip on the relay to remove by sliding it upwards. It has a tight clip so I squirted a little WD40 behind the relay to lubricate the clip.
After getting the faulty relay 2 out from behind the dash it was a matter of finding a replacement. They are available but at a price. The relay is used on late classic minis and early metro’s so best searching with the part no to find the best price.
Re-installing the relay is basically the opposite of removal. The heater ducts go back quite easily as they are all simply a push fit.
So to confirm that these relays are replaceable without having to remove the whole front dash …… doable but a fiddly job.
MG RV8 info news and reviews 