At a Glance
The Mg Tf has 37 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the TF (2002-2011) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 352K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mg Tf common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mg Tf generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Mg Tf Generations
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Most Common Mg Tf MOT Failures
Every reason Mg Tf vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.96% |
| 2 | Brake disc or drum worn | 8.27% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 8.03% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.47% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.89% |
| 6 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.20% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.17% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 3.90% |
| 9 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.69% |
| 10 | Track rod end worn | 3.69% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.41% |
| 12 | Rear lamp not working | 2.24% |
| 13 | Rear suspension fault | 2.18% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.06% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.85% |
| 16 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.82% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.80% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.74% |
| 19 | Fog lamp not working | 1.70% |
| 20 | Indicator fault | 1.31% |
| 21 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.16% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 1.09% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.07% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 1.05% |
| 25 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.97% |
| 26 | Horn not working | 0.96% |
| 27 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.94% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.87% |
| 29 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.80% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.79% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.65% |
| 32 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.61% |
| 33 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.59% |
| 34 | Front suspension fault | 0.59% |
| 35 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.53% |
| 36 | Airbag warning light on | 0.52% |
| 37 | Chassis condition | 0.51% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.43% |
| 39 | Seat belt condition | 0.42% |
| 40 | Steering rack fault | 0.42% |
| 41 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.41% |
| 42 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.39% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.38% |
| 44 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.35% |
| 45 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.34% |
| 46 | ABS fault | 0.32% |
| 47 | Stop lamp not working | 0.31% |
| 48 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.30% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.30% |
| 50 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.27% |
| 51 | Driveshaft fault | 0.24% |
| 52 | Brake caliper fault | 0.18% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.17% |
| 54 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 55 | Brake fluid leak | 0.15% |
| 56 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 60 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 61 | Steering arm worn | 0.09% |
| 62 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.08% |
| 63 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 65 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.06% |
| 68 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 71 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 74 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 76 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 77 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 78 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Brake servo fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.03% |
| 83 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 85 | Electric power steering fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 88 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 91 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 92 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 93 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 98 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 100 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 103 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 104 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 105 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 106 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 107 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 117 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 143 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 145 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 150 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 157 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 165 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 169 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
Showing all 170 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mg Tf MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mg Tf, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mg Tf problems?
Based on analysis of 352K Mg Tf MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 37 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Wiper blades deteriorated". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mg Tf generation has the most problems?
The Mg Tf TF (2002-2011) (2002–2011) has the highest number of identified common problems (50). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mg Tf?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mg Tf owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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