Used car guide

2001 MG MGF: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 MG MGFs, from 1,534 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,534MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
2,500typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 MG MGFs than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Sub-frame2.2× usual
    MG MGF
    10.4% All 2001 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.8× usual
    MG MGF
    5.9% All 2001 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Headlights: 1.8% here, against 9.1% of all 2001 cars. Exhaust system: 3.5% here, against 9.7% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 MG MGF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    19% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a MG MGF?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2000898Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 MG MGFs registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score