Skip to main content
Check
MG

MG TF reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-20111 named generationConvertiblePETROL
At a glance

MG TF built around 2004: about average at the MOT

MG TFs built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check an MG TF by number plate

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on MG TFs built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MG TFs built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

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.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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 TF's generation

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

TF Mk1 (relaunch)

Mk1 (relaunch) (2008-2011)

Excellent
PETROL

18.4% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Likely between 12.8% and 25.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 136 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

25.9% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,254 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the MG TF.

See every build year for the MG TF

Side-by-side

MG TF generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk1 (relaunch) (2008-2011)
Excellent
Excellent18.4%likely between 12.8% and 25.7%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 136 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating25.9%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,254 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the TF, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

MG TF fail rate by age

This chart combines every MG TF 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
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13618.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
36420.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
25723.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
17422.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
53120.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,31524.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,25425.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,68525.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
95523.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
5018.0%

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 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old MG TFs

These issues come from 21-year-old MG TFs, 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

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

    16.4%
    Advisory: 796Fail: 18 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    14.6%
    Advisory: 815Fail: 75 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    13.6%
    Advisory: 633Fail: 77 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.0%
    Advisory: 521Fail: 73 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.2%
    Advisory: 270Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,254 MOT tests on 21-year-old MG TFs, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old MG TFs 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 + Suspension35%
  2. Body & structure + Brakes25%
  3. Body & structure + Suspension24%
  4. Brakes + Tyres20%

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

Across 1,526 MOT tests on MG TF cars built around 2004 (21 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 TF.

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

3 recalls in all

All 3 MG TF recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Rear suspension may fail
  • Suspension may fail
  • Possible loss of directional control.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    Lower fail rate: 16.0%, against 25.9% for the MG TF, both built around 2004.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,445 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.3%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 25.9% for the MG TF, both built around 2004.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,872 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.5%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the MG TF on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    4,112 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the MG TF on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,911 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the MG TF across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,254 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every MG TF ever sold: 10,721 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 3,254 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.