1997 MG MGF MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 67.0% of MG MGFs first used in 1997 passed their MOT first time, against 66.9% for all cars first used in 1997. Across 2,057 MGF first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, noise, emissions and leaks and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for MG MGFs first used in 1997 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
67.0%
of 639 first tests; all cars first used in 1997: 66.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,057
first tests, 2023–2025; 639 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
36.0%
of 639 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
68,000
middle half: 47,000–88,500 miles; all cars first used in 1997: 100,000

How the 1997 MG MGF MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MGFs first used in 1997 against all cars first used in 1997 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MGF figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

1997 MGFAll cars first used in 1997
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1997, test year 2021: 61.4%All cars first used in 1997, test year 2022: 63.3%All cars first used in 1997, test year 2023: 64.5%All cars first used in 1997, test year 2024: 65.4%All cars first used in 1997, test year 2025: 66.9%1997 MGF, test year 2021: 59.4%1997 MGF, test year 2022: 59.3%1997 MGF, test year 2023: 66.7%1997 MGF, test year 2024: 66%1997 MGF, test year 2025: 67%67%66.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year1997 MGFAll cars first used 1997MGF first tests
202159.4%61.4%929
202259.3%63.3%869
202366.7%64.5%753
202466.0%65.4%665
202567.0%66.9%639

Common 1997 MG MGF MOT failures

Share of the 688 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment38.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks37.2%
Brakes30.2%
Suspension30.1%
Visibility22.5%
Steering13.2%
Tyres11.3%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems8.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits19.5%134
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements14.4%99
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits13.4%92
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits9.7%67
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits8.9%61

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 1997 MG MGF before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 1997 MG MGF MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1997 MGFs, as a share of all 2,057 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened13.5%278
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive9.4%193
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.2%169
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.2%169
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened7.4%153

Questions about the 1997 MG MGF MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1997 MG MGF?

In 2025, 67.0% of MGFs first used in 1997 passed their MOT first time, against 66.9% for all cars first used in 1997. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1997 MGF most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 38.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (37.2%) and brakes (30.2%). The single most common item was “Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits” (19.5%).

How often does a 1997 MG MGF fail its MOT?

In 2025, 33.0% of first tests on MGFs first used in 1997 did not pass first time: 30.2% failed, and a further 2.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 688 of 2,057 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1997 MG MGF MOT advisories?

“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 13.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (9.4%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (8.2%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.2%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (7.4%).

Is a 1997 MG MGF reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 59.4% in 2021 to 67.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1997

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

1997 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1997 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1997 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1997 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1997 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 1997 MG MGF MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1997 MGF” means an MG MGF whose date of first use falls in 1997 (P and R plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1997, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.