2000 MG MGF — MOT failures & pass rate
6,779 MOT tests on the 2000 MG MGF are in this dataset, and 74.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and brakes (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 785 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.1% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.9% in 2021 to 24.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 740 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 739 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 701 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 557 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 393 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 260 |
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 | 785 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 426 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 408 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 393 |
| 5 | Washers | 246 |
| 6 | Wipers | 246 |
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 | 29.2% | 1,982 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.8% | 1,883 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.4% | 1,179 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 681 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 586 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.7% | 454 |
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 | 548 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,543 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,777 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 757 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,683 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 1,519 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 1,322 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 1,174 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 1,081 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2000 MGF
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.9% 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 (10.3% 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 2000 MG MGFs pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 6,779 2000 MG MGF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 MG MGF?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by brakes (10.9%).
Does the 2000 MGF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,779 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.