Sports car and convertible · 1996–2012 cars
MGF reliability
The MGF fails 34.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 18,775 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MGF before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 34.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 18,775
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MGF ages
Each point is the share of MGFs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MGF | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 33.3% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 33.6% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 33.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 33.6% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 34.5% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 35.6% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst MGF years
2001 cars come out best and 1997 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 443 | 32.5% | 11% fewer fails | 61,824 |
| 2001 MGF | 5,680 | 32.6% | 9% fewer fails | 61,647 |
| 2000 MGF | 3,601 | 33.3% | 4% fewer fails | 61,897 |
| 1999 MGF | 3,806 | 33.3% | 1% fewer fails | 65,052 |
| 1998 MGF | 3,416 | 36.4% | 10% more fails | 68,567 |
| 1997 MGF | 1,297 | 38.4% | 17% more fails | 69,571 |
| 1996 | 346 | 39.6% | 23% more fails | 67,898 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MGF
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 81% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes12.1%16% above avg
- Lights and electrics12%19% below avg
- Suspension11.6%6% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.6%81% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%2% below avg
- Tyres4%7% below avg
- Steering3.8%65% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.4%55% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.9%27% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.75% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 3.7% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 3
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.77% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 4
Service brake efficiency below minimum 2.58% of tests
The brakes are not stopping the car effectively enough, a serious safety risk that needs urgent repair before driving.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.4% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.17% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 7
Carbon monoxide high, default limits 1.94% of tests
High carbon monoxide at fast idle suggests engine or exhaust-emission faults, so diagnosis is recommended before buying.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.92% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MGF's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.53%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.97%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.73%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion6.48%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.42%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.77%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MGF
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 3
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 4
Service brake efficiency below minimum
The brakes are not stopping the car effectively enough, a serious safety risk that needs urgent repair before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- Electric0%
- LPG0%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Red, Green, Blue, Silver, Grey
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the MGF compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin DB9 | 9% | 67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin Vantage | 6% | 65% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi R8 | 7.7% | 63% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda S2000 | 18.5% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lotus Elise | 14.2% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 350 Z | 26.1% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MGF | 34.1% | about average for its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all MG models.
Questions
MGF questions, answered
Is the MGF reliable?
On MOT results, the MGF is about average: it fails 34.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 59 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a MGF MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MGF are parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.75% of tests), carbon monoxide high after fast idle (3.7% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (2.77% of tests). By area, brakes fails 12.1% of its tests.
Which MGF year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2001 cars do best (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1997 cars do worst (17% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a MGF before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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