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MG MGF reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 62,986 MOT tests of cars first registered 1996–2002.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
62.8%pass first time
−0.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 50%of cars
62,986MOT tests

Verdict

The MG MGF passes its MOT first time on 62.8% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (63.0%). That puts it ahead of 50% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2001 MGF does best (beats 65% of cars) and the 1996 worst (beats 29%).

Better than average on body & structure, seat belts & airbags.

Watch these weak spots

Emissions & leaks1.8×as often as a typical car
Steering1.8×as often as a typical car
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance2.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

55%60%65%1718192062%62%60%61%
MG MGFTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1996
Beats 29%
1997
Beats 31%
1998
Beats 35%
1999
Beats 44%
2000
Beats 56%
2001
Beats 65%
2002
Beats 65%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1996–200261,32562.9%Beats 50%C
1.6 Petrol2001–20011,66161.2%Beats 51%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 11.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 13.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 14.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 13.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 14.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.6 ptsTyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.1 ptsBrakes: 13.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.8 ptsSuspension: 13.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.2 ptsExhaust: 11.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−5.2 ptsSuspension: 13.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 13.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 14.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 11.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 14.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.6 ptsTyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.1 ptsBrakes: 13.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.8 ptsSuspension: 13.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.2 ptsExhaust: 11.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−5.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 11.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
14.1% vs 15.8%
Suspension
13.3% vs 12.1%
Brakes
13.2% vs 11.4%
Emissions & leaks
11.6% vs 6.3%
Visibility
7.6% vs 7.3%
Tyres
4.9% vs 4.9%
Steering
4.5% vs 2.5%
Body & structure
3.4% vs 8.0%
Seat belts & airbags
2.3% vs 3.1%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.5× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Handbrake performance 2.9× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Track rod ends 2.5× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Suspension ball joints 2.0× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k84%73%65%59%54%51%
MG MGFTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)8.9%3.6%2.5×
Handbrake performance6.3%2.2%2.9×
Headlight aim4.1%4.0%1.0×
Windscreen washers3.9%3.1%1.3×
Windscreen wipers3.4%3.7%0.9×
Service brake performance3.0%1.2%2.5×
Component mounting prescribed areas2.9%3.7%0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking2.9%2.8%1.0×
Brake lights2.6%3.4%0.8×
Track rod ends2.6%1.0%2.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Emissions levels exceed default limits56.9
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement54.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements40.5
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits39.0
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen38.8
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired37.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn35.0
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer32.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2002 MG MGF1 engine64.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1,31664.9%Beats 65%B
2001 MG MGF2 engines65.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol16,32665.9%Beats 67%B
1.6 Petrol1,66161.2%Beats 51%C
2000 MG MGF1 engine63.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol11,15163.4%Beats 56%C
1999 MG MGF1 engine61.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol9,32361.8%Beats 44%C
1998 MG MGF1 engine60.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol9,46860.5%Beats 35%D
1997 MG MGF1 engine60.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol7,87860.9%Beats 31%D
1996 MG MGF1 engine61.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,86361.1%Beats 29%D

FAQ

What is the MG MGF MOT pass rate?

62.8% of MOT tests on the MG MGF were passed first time, based on 62,986 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1996–2002. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.0% of the time.

Is the MG MGF reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 50% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which MG MGF year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2001 MGF does best for its age and mileage: it beats 65% of cars on UK roads. The 1996 does worst: it beats 29%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the MG MGF?

The most common failure items are exhaust emissions (catalyst), handbrake performance, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 2.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.