Verdict
The MG TF passes its MOT first time on 66.8% of tests, 3.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (62.9%). That puts it ahead of 66% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2004 TF does best (beats 66% of cars) and the 2003 worst (beats 63%).
Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres, body & structure.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
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.
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.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 67.6% | Beats 68% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 62.0% | Beats 50% | 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.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Handbrake performance 2.9× typical
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope. - Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.2× typical
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems. - Track rod ends 2.0× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Suspension ball joints 1.6× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering. - Windscreen washers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail. - Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handbrake performance | 5.6% | 1.9% | 2.9× |
| Exhaust emissions (catalyst) | 4.1% | 1.9% | 2.2× |
| Windscreen washers | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.3× |
| Suspension arms | 3.1% | 0.2% | 12.9× |
| Windscreen wipers | 3.0% | 3.6% | 0.8× |
| Track rod ends | 3.0% | 1.5% | 2.0× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 2.4% | 3.2% | 0.7× |
| Horn | 2.4% | 0.5% | 4.7× |
| Headlight aim | 2.1% | 4.7% | 0.5× |
| Suspension ball joints | 2.1% | 1.3% | 1.6× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 49.1 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 36.5 |
| A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded | 34.6 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 34.2 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 28.1 |
| 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 repaired | 27.6 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 27.0 |
| Audible warning inoperative | 23.6 |
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.
2010 MG TF1 engine76.1% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 76.1% | Beats 62% | B |
2009 MG TF1 engine75.0% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 75.0% | Beats 64% | B |
2008 MG TF1 engine69.9% passC
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 69.9% | Beats 48% | C |
2006 MG TF1 engine71.4% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 71.4% | Beats 69% | B |
2005 MG TF2 engines68.9% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 70.2% | Beats 72% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 64.1% | Beats 50% | C |
2004 MG TF2 engines66.4% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 67.5% | Beats 69% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 62.2% | Beats 52% | C |
2003 MG TF2 engines64.6% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 65.4% | Beats 65% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 60.8% | Beats 48% | C |
2002 MG TF2 engines66.3% passB
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Petrol | 66.7% | Beats 72% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 61.2% | Beats 53% | C |
FAQ
What is the MG TF MOT pass rate?
66.8% of MOT tests on the MG TF were passed first time, based on 95,059 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2002–2010. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 62.9% of the time.
Is the MG TF reliable?
On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 66% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which MG TF year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2004 TF does best for its age and mileage: it beats 66% of cars on UK roads. The 2003 does worst: it beats 63%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the MG TF?
The most common failure items are handbrake performance, exhaust emissions (catalyst), windscreen washers. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 2.9× as often.