MG MGF Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 588 MOT tests from 28 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MG MGF has the same fault.

MG MGF's have a average reliability rating of 471/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MG MGF that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MG MGF.

MG MGF (example)

Check an MG Mgf before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2001	476/999Average	73,908 miles	1,237 vehicles
Petrol	2000	459/999Average	72,751 miles	1,960 vehicles
Petrol	1999	469/999Average	76,928 miles	895 vehicles
Petrol	1996	479/999Average	81,700 miles	809 vehicles

How reliable is the MG MGF?

Based on 588 MOT tests from 28 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

588

Pass rate

72.6%

Median mileage

61,970 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MG MGF has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 486 out of 999.

Common MG MGF MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 58 advisory comments and 13 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 44 advisory comments and 11 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 advisory comments and 33 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT UPPER SUSPENSION ARM HAS SLIGHT PLAY IN A BALL JOINT (2.4.G.2)

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (2.7.3)

MG MGF MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2001	6	147	77.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2000	6	112	72.3%	Shock absorber issues, Corrosion
1998	5	78	69.2%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used MG MGF

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Buying a MG MGF?

Common problems tell you what can affect MG MGFs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other MG Models

← Back to Reliability Check