If you can check the Beogram yourself, test the tone arm parallel to the Detector arm at rest,
the tonarme plate  should be  able to move sideways by hand without resistand

If the tonearm is lower than the detector arm (eg: broken tonearm bearing = total damage, because, you can not adjust the contact weight of the MMC1-5 system);

if you can use it electrical function, you should start the device ( by pressing the START-Button) with the record on , single or LP.;

The record plate spinns und indikator light is on (33 or 45)
now the plate should turn and lift the record and lower it again; lift the tone arm (no movement downwards);
the tonearm will move in the direction of the record and descend again.
The speed must be changable by pressing the button 33 or 45;
Now the tonearm should be free to move horizontally, with a slight push to the left to automatically move it towards the middle of the record.
At the end of the movement, the tonearm should lift again and then drive back to the rest position and shut of the motor.

If anything of the above description does not exist, there is a fault in the servo circuit (belts, dirty slide rails or defective cable etc.), [repairable] !

hi - I really appreciate your detailed reply - many thanks - I will report back after I have inspected the units - cheers

Unit appears to be in great condition - passed all of the test you suggested. Many thanks. Now I need a cartridge. A friend of mine has an MMC 20EN or MMC4000 (he isn't sure). Would either fit or am I restricted to MMC1-5 series?