MG MGF MOT pass rate & common failures
The MG MGF appears in 39,470 MOT tests spanning model years 1981–2018, and 74.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.2%, so the MGF sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
Best and worst MGF years
Ranked across MGF years with at least 1,000 tests. Older cars fail more simply because they are older — compare years close together in age before drawing conclusions.
What the MOT record shows
The strongest year on this record is 2001 (76.1% pass rate); the weakest is 1996 (72.9%). Older cars carry more of the difference than the average implies.
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.7%) and brakes (10.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 5,315 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.1% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.4-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.1% in 2021 to 24.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every MGF model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 425 | 72.0% | 28.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 3,547 | 72.9% | 27.2% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1997 | 4,740 | 73.4% | 26.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 5,820 | 73.0% | 27.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 5,878 | 74.0% | 26.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 6,779 | 74.3% | 25.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2001 | 11,023 | 76.1% | 23.9% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 886 | 76.3% | 23.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 138 | 77.5% | 22.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 98 | 75.5% | 24.5% | Visibility |
| 2005 | 37 | 86.5% | 13.5% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 4,241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.1% | 3,985 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 3,830 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 3,682 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 2,314 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.4% | 1,351 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.3% | 1,310 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 1,095 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 5,315 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 2,076 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 1,996 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,812 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,485 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,417 |
| 7 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,363 |
| 8 | Ball joint | 1,044 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.5% | 11,236 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.8% | 10,973 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.7% | 6,572 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 3,872 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 3,405 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 2,622 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,180 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 13,434 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 15,738 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 5,896 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,023 | 35.7% |
| 150k+ | 160 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,757 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 8,718 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 7,785 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 6,836 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 6,374 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a MG MGF
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the MG MGF?
74.4% of the 39,470 MG MGF MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.6% fail rate, across model years 1981–2018.
What does the MG MGF most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, then brakes (10.1%).
Which MGF years are best and worst for MOT results?
2001 has the best pass rate at 76.1% and 1996 the weakest at 72.9%, from 11,023 and 3,547 tests respectively.
How much does mileage affect MGF MOT results?
Fail rates run at 14.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 32.5% for 150k+, a 18.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,470 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.