Used car guide

2002 MG TF: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 MG TFs, from 1,629 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,629MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
2,700typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 MG TFs than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    MG TF
    9.6% All 2002 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2002 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.

  • Horn3.8× usual
    MG TF
    3% All 2002 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Rust around sub-frame mountings2× usual
    MG TF
    2.8% All 2002 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2002 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 7.4% here, against 16.2% of all 2002 cars. Coil springs: 1.6% here, against 10.4% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 MG TF MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Suspension
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a MG TF?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20051,161Suspension 34%
20042,370Suspension 36%
20032,482Brakes 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 MG TFs registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score