2006 MG TF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 MG TF passed 79.8% of its 1,830 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.8 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.7%) and lighting & signalling (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, ball joint and suspension arm — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 106 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 34.4% in the 120-150k band, a 23.3-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.8% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 177 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 138 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 119 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 90 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 80 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.7% | 49 |
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 | 106 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 61 |
| 3 | Suspension arm | 56 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 51 |
| 5 | Washers | 50 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 50 |
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 | 27.2% | 498 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 460 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.1% | 259 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 125 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 120 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 119 |
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 | 390 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 795 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 504 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 413 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 374 | 20.1% |
| 2023 | 368 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 355 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 320 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 TF
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.5% 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.
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 2006 MG TFs pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 1,830 2006 MG TF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 MG TF?
Suspension, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.5%).
Does the 2006 TF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,830 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.