MG Tf: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MG Tf fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 4.3 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 9,402 individual MG Tf tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 72.4% first-time pass rate means roughly 28 in every 100 MG Tfs 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 Tf tested had covered 57,766 miles and was built around 2004.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a MG Tf bought as a 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 Tf 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 what damaged MG Tfs actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Tf

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 2.9% of tests (10.95x the national rate for this defect)
2. Audible warning inoperative, 1.7% of tests (7.85x the national rate for this defect)
3. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.7% of tests (7.57x the national rate for this defect)
4. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 2% of tests (6.81x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.9% of tests (4.88x the national rate for this defect)
6. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 1.4% of tests (4.53x the national rate for this defect)
7. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.8% of tests (3.87x the national rate for this defect)
8. 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, 3% of tests (3.61x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.5% of tests (2.63x the national rate for this defect)
10. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.7% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)

From 13,465 DVSA-tracked MG Tf tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.18% of these flagged MG Tf defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

MG Tf pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each MG Tf year:

• 2002 MG Tf - 70.9% first-time pass, 1,790 tests
• 2003 MG Tf - 71.2% first-time pass, 2,665 tests
• 2004 MG Tf - 73.2% first-time pass, 2,553 tests
• 2005 MG Tf - 76% first-time pass, 1,234 tests
• 2006 MG Tf - 75.4% first-time pass, 301 tests
• 2009 MG Tf - 77.7% first-time pass, 278 tests
• 2010 MG Tf - 79.6% first-time pass, 216 tests

Other MG models

• MG Zs - 81.4%
• MG 3 - 80.1%
• MG Zs Exclusive Ev - 90.6%
• MG Mgf - 69.6%
• 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

• Toyota Landcruiser Amazon - 72.6%
• Hyundai I800 - 72.5%
• Vauxhall Ampera - 72.5%
• Toyota Hi-Ace - 72.3%
• Lexus Rx300 - 72.3%
• Smart Roadster 80 Auto(Rhd) - 72.3%

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

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate