2002 MG MGF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 MG MGF passed 76.3% of its 886 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 3.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.8%) and brakes (9.5%) 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 wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 74 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.1% in the 0-30k band and 33.1% in the 90-120k band, a 22.9-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 96 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 84 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 61 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 59 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 56 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.6% | 32 |
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 | 74 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 44 |
| 3 | Wipers | 41 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 30 |
| 6 | Washers | 27 |
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 | 28.1% | 249 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.1% | 231 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.0% | 168 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 90 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 72 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 71 |
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 | 89 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 297 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 353 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 124 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 219 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 187 | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 180 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 146 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 154 | 24.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 MGF
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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 (6.9% 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.
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 2002 MG MGFs pass their MOT?
76.3% of the 886 2002 MG MGF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 MG MGF?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 2002 MGF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 886 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.