MG Mgf: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MG Mgf fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 7.1 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 5,751 individual MG Mgf tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 69.6% first-time pass rate means roughly 30 in every 100 MG Mgfs presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average MG Mgf tested had covered 65,325 miles and was built around 1999.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The MG Mgf sits 7.1 points below the national average, ranked 1,772 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific MG Mgf rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged MG Mgfs at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Mgf

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 7.4% of tests (20.84x the national rate for this defect)
2. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 5.2% of tests (19.13x the national rate for this defect)
3. Service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.5% of tests (11.82x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 2.7% of tests (7.82x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 3.2% of tests (6.2x the national rate for this defect)
6. 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, 4.3% of tests (4.57x the national rate for this defect)
7. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 5.4% of tests (4.11x the national rate for this defect)
8. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.6% of tests (3.72x the national rate for this defect)
9. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.4% of tests (2.31x the national rate for this defect)
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.3% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect)

From 5,750 DVSA-tracked MG Mgf tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.53% of these flagged MG Mgf defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a MG Mgf

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a MG Mgf before it actually fails on it.

1. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 6.5% of tests (5.09x the national rate for this advisory)
2. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 2.8% of tests (4.29x the national rate for this advisory)
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.5% of tests (3.63x the national rate for this advisory)
4. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 18.2% of tests (3.52x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
5. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.3% of tests (3.26x the national rate for this advisory)
6. 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, 4.9% of tests (3.24x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
8. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this advisory)
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 11.9% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this advisory)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 21.7% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this advisory)

From 5,750 DVSA-tracked MG Mgf tests, 2024.

MG Mgf pass rate by model year

From its 1996 to its 2001 model year, the MG Mgf's first-time pass rate has risen 4.9 points, from 67.5% to 72.4%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each MG Mgf year:

• 1996 MG Mgf - 67.5% first-time pass, 520 tests
• 1997 MG Mgf - 71% first-time pass, 661 tests
• 1998 MG Mgf - 67.1% first-time pass, 827 tests
• 1999 MG Mgf - 70.7% first-time pass, 835 tests
• 2000 MG Mgf - 71.1% first-time pass, 986 tests
• 2001 MG Mgf - 72.4% first-time pass, 1,604 tests

Other MG models

• MG Zs - 81.4%
• MG 3 - 80.1%
• MG Zs Exclusive Ev - 90.6%
• MG Tf - 72.4%
• MG 5 Exclusive - 91.6%
• MG Zs Exclusive Vti-Tech - 90.3%
• MG Hs Exclusive S-A - 91.9%
• MG Hs Exclusive - 90.7%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Honda Prelude - 69.7%
• Mazda Bt-50 - 69.7%
• Ford Galaxy - 69.6%
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Crd Ltd A - 69.6%
• Mercedes-Benz Citan - 69.5%
• MG Zr - 69.5%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate