1998 MG MGF MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 65.9% of MG MGFs first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. Across 2,531 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 1998 (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
65.9%
of 774 first tests; all cars first used in 1998: 65.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,531
first tests, 2023–2025; 774 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
36.2%
of 774 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
67,000
middle half: 49,000–84,000 miles; all cars first used in 1998: 98,000

How the 1998 MG MGF MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MGFs first used in 1998 against all cars first used in 1998 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MGF figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

1998 MGFAll cars first used in 1998
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1998, test year 2021: 60.7%All cars first used in 1998, test year 2022: 62.4%All cars first used in 1998, test year 2023: 64%All cars first used in 1998, test year 2024: 64.9%All cars first used in 1998, test year 2025: 65.6%1998 MGF, test year 2021: 58.8%1998 MGF, test year 2022: 62.1%1998 MGF, test year 2023: 61.9%1998 MGF, test year 2024: 64.3%1998 MGF, test year 2025: 65.9%65.9%65.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year1998 MGFAll cars first used 1998MGF first tests
202158.8%60.7%1,121
202262.1%62.4%1,041
202361.9%64.0%926
202464.3%64.9%831
202565.9%65.6%774

Common 1998 MG MGF MOT failures

Share of the 914 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 equipment36.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks35.4%
Brakes33.7%
Suspension31.5%
Visibility17.9%
Steering11.9%
Tyres10.2%
Body, chassis, structure8.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements16.2%148
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits16.1%147
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits11.2%102
Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements9.0%82
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits8.5%78

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

What to check on a 1998 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 1998 MG MGF MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1998 MGFs, as a share of all 2,531 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened14.5%368
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.9%226
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.6%218
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive7.9%201
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened7.1%180

Questions about the 1998 MG MGF MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1998 MG MGF?

In 2025, 65.9% of MGFs first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1998 MGF most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 36.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (35.4%) and brakes (33.7%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (16.2%).

How often does a 1998 MG MGF fail its MOT?

In 2025, 34.1% of first tests on MGFs first used in 1998 did not pass first time: 30.6% failed, and a further 3.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 914 of 2,531 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1998 MG MGF MOT advisories?

“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 14.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (8.9%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.6%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (7.9%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (7.1%).

Is a 1998 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 58.8% in 2021 to 65.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1998

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

1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1998 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 1998 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. “1998 MGF” means an MG MGF whose date of first use falls in 1998 (R and S 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 1998, 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.