2025 MOT results
MG MGF common problems
The most common reason a MG MGF fails its MOT is a weak handbrake, on 16.4% of its 1,761 failed tests in 2025. Against other cars of the same age, 4 faults stand out, the widest gaps being: a weak or uneven footbrake at 10.1% of failures against 2.9% expected; emissions above the limit at 15.2% of failures against 5.4% expected; a weak handbrake at 16.4% of failures against 6.9% expected.
- Tests in 2025 5,318 Cars aged three and over
- Failed first time 33.1% 1,761 tests
- Found a dangerous defect 6.4% Unsafe to drive away
- Ended with an advisory 53.6% A problem to watch, not a failure
What fails a MG MGF MOT
Each bar is the share of failed MG MGF tests with that defect. Where we can compare it with cars of the same registration years, the marker shows what an average car of those ages records (12 of the 12 items below).
Most common reasons for failure
A test can fail for more than one defect, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 16.4% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.2% |
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.2% |
| Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements Brakes | 10.1% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.7% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 7.4% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.0% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.8% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 6.5% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play Steering | 6.1% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.5% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
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Weak handbrake
16.4% of failures 6.9% expected 2.4 times as often
The handbrake cannot hold the car to the efficiency the test requires, usually from a stretched cable or seized rear callipers.
On a hill, the handbrake should hold the car with a couple of clicks left in the lever.
-
Emissions above the limit
15.2% of failures 5.4% expected 2.8 times as often
The exhaust gases are outside the limits for the car, which can be the catalytic converter, a sensor, or simply a poor state of tune.
A long run before the test helps a catalyst get hot; a persistent failure usually needs a diagnosis.
-
Emissions above the limit
10.2% of failures 7.7% expected somewhat more often
The exhaust gases are outside the limits for the car, which can be the catalytic converter, a sensor, or simply a poor state of tune.
A long run before the test helps a catalyst get hot; a persistent failure usually needs a diagnosis.
-
Weak or uneven footbrake
10.1% of failures 2.9% expected 3.5 times as often
The footbrake is either weak overall or pulls unevenly across an axle, which the rolling road measures.
A pull to one side under firm braking, or a long pedal, is the sign to get it looked at before a test.
-
Wiper blades that do not clear the screen
7.7% of failures 8.0% expected about as expected
Wiper blades that leave the windscreen smeared or streaked across the area the driver looks through.
Look for split or hardened rubber, and lift each blade to see whether it still sits flat.
-
Structural corrosion
7.4% of failures 9.7% expected somewhat less often
Corrosion in a structural area near a suspension, steering or seat belt mounting, which is a serious failure.
Look at the inner sills, rear spring seats and subframe mounts on cars over about 12 years old.
Which parts of the car fail
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the area that most often fails a MG MGF, on 37.4% of failed tests. The widest gap against cars of the same registration years is noise, emissions and leaks, on 34.7% against 22.0% expected.
Failure categories
DVSA's own sections of the test. The marker is what cars of the same registration years record.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 37.4% |
| Brakes | 34.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 34.7% |
| Suspension | 31.6% |
| Visibility | 20.1% |
| Steering | 11.4% |
| Tyres | 10.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What testers warn about
53.6% of MG MGF tests ended with at least one advisory: a fault the tester found that did not fail the test. On MG MGFs, these are the items to ask about on a car you are viewing, because they are what the last tester expected to go next.
Most common advisories
Share of all tests, passes included.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 13.3% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.3% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 8.7% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 8.7% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 8.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 6.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 4.9% |
| Flexible brake hoses: slight corrosion to ferrule Brakes | 4.3% |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively Brakes | 4.0% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 3.8% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play Steering | 3.6% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 3.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
MG MGF problems: common questions
What is the most common problem with a MG MGF?
Of the faults that fail an MOT, “Parking brake efficiency below requirements” is the most common: it appears on 16.4% of failed MG MGF tests. Across categories, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the area that most often fails one, on 37.4% of failed tests.
How often does a MG MGF fail its MOT?
33.1% of MG MGF tests in 2025 were not passed first time, from 5,318 tests of cars aged three and over. Allowing for the age and mileage of the cars tested, that gives it a UK Motoring Reliability Score of 57 out of 100, where 50 is as expected.
Does anything fail more often on a MG MGF than on other cars?
Yes. “Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements” appears on 10.1% of its failures against 2.9% for cars of the same age, and “Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits” appears on 15.2% of its failures against 5.4% for cars of the same age. Where an item is missing from the national figures for a year, we use the smallest share those figures show, so the comparison never overstates the difference.
Are these the same as breakdowns or known faults?
No. These are the items a tester recorded at the MOT, which covers condition and safety: lamps, brakes, tyres, suspension, corrosion and emissions. A gearbox that is unpleasant, an infotainment screen that has died, or a car that will not start on a cold morning are not part of the test, so they are not in these figures.
Where do the figures come from?
Every normal MOT test of a MG MGF aged three and over in Great Britain in 2025, from DVSA's anonymised MOT results. Retests are excluded, and the same fault on more than one wheel counts once.
Data stories to read next
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT defects and advisories | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 5,318 MOT tests | 19 September 2026 |
- Shares for defects are of failed tests; shares for advisories are of all tests. A test can carry several defects, so shares add to more than 100%.
- The expected share is what an average car of the same registration years records, weighted by where this model’s failures fall. Where an item is outside the national figures for a year, the smallest share those figures show is used in its place, which is an upper bound, so the comparison never overstates a model’s problems. No expectation is published where less than 80% of the model’s failures can be compared.
- Great Britain only: DVSA does not run MOT testing in Northern Ireland. Cars under three years old are not tested.
- The descriptions of what each part does are general and the same on every model. Every figure comes from the MOT data.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.