2003 MG TF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 MG TF passed 76.0% of its 17,890 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.3%) and lighting & signalling (9.8%) 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 1,182 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.6% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.3% | 1,850 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 1,755 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 1,600 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 1,183 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 1,035 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 625 |
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 | 1,182 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 1,048 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 732 |
| 4 | Washers | 644 |
| 5 | Wipers | 623 |
| 6 | Suspension arm | 581 |
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 | 29.3% | 5,250 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.8% | 4,980 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.2% | 2,892 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 1,501 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 1,407 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 1,368 |
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 | 1,525 | 12.0% |
| 30-60k | 7,142 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,164 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,811 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 203 | 36.4% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,216 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 3,961 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 3,516 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 3,229 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 2,968 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 TF
On a 2003 TF, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (10.3% 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 (9.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 2003 MG TFs pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 17,890 2003 MG TF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 MG TF?
Brakes, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.8%).
Does the 2003 TF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,890 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.