1999 MG MGF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 MG MGF passed 74.0% of its 5,878 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.7%) and emissions & environmental (10.6%) 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 headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 945 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 39.0% versus 17.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.0% in 2021 to 24.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 631 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 623 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 579 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 577 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 336 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.7% | 220 |
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 | 945 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 301 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 289 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 285 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 237 |
| 6 | Washers | 219 |
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 | 28.6% | 1,682 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.4% | 1,670 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.0% | 940 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 697 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 439 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 358 |
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 | 518 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,935 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,387 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 871 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 136 | 39.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,470 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 1,308 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 1,145 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 1,021 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 934 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 MGF
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.7% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Emissions & environmental (10.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (9.8% 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
How many 1999 MG MGFs pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 5,878 1999 MG MGF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 MG MGF?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (10.6%).
Does the 1999 MGF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 39.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,878 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.