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MG MGF RD (1st gen) (1995-2002) reliability

At a glance

MG MGF RD (1st gen) built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

MG MGF RD (1st gen) models 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.

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Key figure

27% of MOT tests on MG MGF RD (1st gen) models 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 MGF RD (1st gen) models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

MG MGF RD (1st gen)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings1995-2002ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 6,578 tests of MGF models registered 1995-2002.

About 1 in 7 MGF RD (1st gen) MOTs (13.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,015 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 MGF RD (1st gen) MOTs (5.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 4,015 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

RD (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,05625.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,50725.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,01527.4%

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 25+ years old.

How the MGF RD (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the MGF RD (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 10,563 tests across 9 MG models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMG average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,05625.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,50725.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,01527.4%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the MGF RD (1st gen).

  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 27.4% for the MG MGF RD (1st gen), 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 27.4% for the MG MGF RD (1st gen), 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 27.4% for the MG MGF RD (1st gen), 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 27.4% for the MG MGF RD (1st gen), 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.

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.

What has gone wrong on MGF RD (1st gen) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 2,396 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
78%
Emissions
53%
Bodywork
22%
Steering
17%

Wear items

Brakes
78%
Lighting
70%
Tyres
57%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 37% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How MGF RD (1st gen) cars have aged

How MGF RD (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%19202122232425Age at MOTBuilt around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (158 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (149 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (143 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (126 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (121 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (1,510 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (1,290 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (1,159 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (1,003 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (954 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (987 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (864 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (718 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (643 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (577 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (696 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (579 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (507 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (451 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (814 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (705 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (661 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (591 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (512 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2002First registered around 2001First registered around 2000First registered around 1999
RD (1st gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on MG MGFs of this age

This list covers every MG MGF built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the RD (1st gen) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at an MG MGF RD (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the MG MGF RD (1st gen) (1995-2002) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,015 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 6,578 MOT tests on MG MGFs first registered between 1995-2002. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.