2001 MG MGF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 MG MGF passed 76.1% of its 11,023 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), the 2001 MGF comes out 3.2pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.9%) and brakes (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 817 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 0-30k band and 36.7% in the 150k+ band, a 23.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.3% in 2021 to 22.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.9% | 1,088 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 1,073 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 972 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 744 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 614 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 389 |
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 | 817 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 584 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 526 |
| 4 | Wipers | 454 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 366 |
| 6 | Washers | 343 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.6% | 3,155 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 3,057 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 1,908 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 996 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 836 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 778 |
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 | 945 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,243 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,371 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,258 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 175 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,697 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 2,405 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 2,188 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 1,927 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 1,806 | 22.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 MGF
On a 2001 MGF, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.9% 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.
- Brakes (9.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2001 MG MGFs pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 11,023 2001 MG MGF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 MG MGF?
Suspension, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by brakes (9.7%).
Does the 2001 MGF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,023 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.