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MG MGF reliability by build year

Coverage 1995-20021 named generationConvertiblePETROL
At a glance

MG MGF built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

MG MGFs built before 2000 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check an MG MGF by number plate

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on MG MGFs built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MG MGFs built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The MG MGF's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your MGF's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

MGF RD (1st gen)

RD (1st gen) (1995-2002)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

27.3% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 4,027 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

MG MGF fail rate by age

This chart combines every MG MGF ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5129.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,05625.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,50725.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,02727.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old MG MGFs

These issues come from 25+ year old MG MGFs, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.6%
    Advisory: 870Fail: 129 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.0%
    Advisory: 865Fail: 13 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    12.1%
    Advisory: 792Fail: 69 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    10.2%
    Advisory: 421Fail: 2 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    9.0%
    Advisory: 481Fail: 38 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,027 MOT tests on 25+ year old MG MGFs, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old MG MGFs notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension36%
  2. Body & structure + Brakes24%
  3. Body & structure + Suspension23%
  4. Brakes + Lighting21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,896 MOT tests on MG MGF cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the MG MGF.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the MG MGF name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 27.3% for the MG MGF, both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 27.3% for the MG MGF, both built before 2000.

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 27.3% for the MG MGF, both built before 2000.

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Triumph Stag

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 27.3% for the MG MGF, both built before 2000.

    1,436 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the MG MGF across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,027 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every MG MGF ever sold: 6,641 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 4,027 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.