2009 MG TF — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 MG TF passed 82.1% of its 1,737 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.4 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.5%) and brakes (5.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, track rod end and washers — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 77 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 25.4% in the 90-120k band, a 14.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 112 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.2% | 90 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.1% | 88 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 65 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.2% | 55 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 55 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 77 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 64 |
| 3 | Washers | 49 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 42 |
| 5 | Sub-frame | 34 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 34 |
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 | 29.9% | 520 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 317 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.2% | 194 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.5% | 96 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 66 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 66 |
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 | 520 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 919 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 217 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 358 | 15.9% |
| 2022 | 348 | 16.4% |
| 2023 | 353 | 19.0% |
| 2024 | 339 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 339 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 TF
On a 2009 TF, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.2% 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 (5.1% 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 2009 MG TFs pass their MOT?
82.1% of the 1,737 2009 MG TF MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 MG TF?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by brakes (5.2%).
Does the 2009 TF get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,737 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.