1997 MG MGF: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 MG MGF?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 MG MGF than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Ball joint2.4× usual
  MG MGF

  11% All 1997 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
  MG MGF

  10.8% All 1997 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 4.4% of all 1997 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.

• Sub-frame3× usual
  MG MGF

  7.7% All 1997 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 1997 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.

Common 1997 MG MGF MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 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
  31% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  24% 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
  18% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 MG MGF

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 MG MGF as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 MG MGF as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 1997 MG MGF as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?