2004 Mg Tf — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 16,689 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mg Tf, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 77.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.8% in the 120-150k group versus 11.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.0% | 1,499 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 1,388 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 1,341 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 1,084 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 929 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.0% | 503 |
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 | 1,018 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 693 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 610 |
| 4 | Washers | 604 |
| 5 | Wipers | 546 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 525 |
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 | 28.9% | 4,817 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.7% | 4,454 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.1% | 2,685 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,217 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 1,162 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 1,085 |
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 | 1,778 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 7,253 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,156 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,348 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 139 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,821 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 3,661 | 22.7% |
| 2023 | 3,364 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 3,060 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 2,783 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Tf
Before buying a 2004 Mg Tf, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 9.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (8.3% 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 (8.0% 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 2004 Mg Tfs pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 16,689 2004 Mg Tf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mg Tf?
Suspension, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2004 Tf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,689 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.