MG TF MOT pass rate & common failures
The MG TF appears in 60,929 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2025, and 77.5% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 22.3%, so the TF sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
Best and worst TF years
Ranked across TF 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
Not every year is equal — 83.5% of 2010 examples pass against 76.0% of 2003 ones.
No single area dominates — brakes (8.8%) and suspension (8.7%) 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 3,598 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 0-30k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every TF model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 67 | 68.7% | 31.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 11,821 | 76.9% | 23.1% | Brakes |
| 2003 | 17,890 | 76.0% | 24.0% | Brakes |
| 2004 | 16,769 | 77.6% | 22.4% | Suspension |
| 2005 | 7,919 | 78.5% | 21.5% | Suspension |
| 2006 | 1,830 | 79.8% | 20.2% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 278 | 79.9% | 20.1% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 683 | 79.4% | 20.6% | Suspension |
| 2009 | 1,737 | 82.1% | 17.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 1,237 | 83.5% | 16.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 445 | 81.1% | 18.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 51 | 88.2% | 11.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 36 | 80.6% | 19.4% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.8% | 5,363 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 5,292 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 5,250 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 3,691 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 3,286 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 1,789 |
| 7 | Tyres | 2.9% | 1,776 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.6% | 1,617 |
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 | 3,598 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 2,791 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 2,204 |
| 4 | Washers | 2,060 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,947 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,743 |
| 7 | Suspension arm | 1,720 |
| 8 | Headlamp aim | 1,575 |
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 | 27.8% | 16,959 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 16,872 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.5% | 9,448 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 4,539 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 4,309 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 4,197 |
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 | 7,428 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 25,414 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 21,944 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 5,372 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 658 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,161 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 13,230 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 12,094 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 11,152 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 10,292 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a MG TF
- Brakes (8.8% 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 (8.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the MG TF?
77.5% of the 60,929 MG TF MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.5% fail rate, across model years 1980–2025.
What does the MG TF most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 8.8% of tests, then suspension (8.7%).
Which TF years are best and worst for MOT results?
2010 has the best pass rate at 83.5% and 2003 the weakest at 76.0%, from 1,237 and 17,890 tests respectively.
How much does mileage affect TF MOT results?
Fail rates run at 11.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 28.1% for 150k+, a 16.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 60,929 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.