MG MGF (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 43 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,711

£226/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2,711/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol1796cc23 years old43 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,711

Per month£226/mo

Per week£52/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MG brand average of 86%.

67% of MOT tests on MG MGFs from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 43 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 61,264 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models359th of 429(bottom 17%)

Rank among MG models153rd of 155(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-15%(82% avg)

vs 2003 models average-5%(72% avg)

vs MG average-19%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

61,264

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 MG MGF had 61,264 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2002 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2003 scores 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MG MGF by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	91%	46	59,375 mi
2003	67%	43	61,264 mi
2002	79%	200	61,029 mi
2001	76%	2,829	63,289 mi
2000	76%	1,674	62,655 mi
1999	74%	2,457	65,936 mi
1998	72%	2,749	70,189 mi
1997	75%	2,049	68,840 mi
1996	71%	1,744	71,011 mi
1995	71%	219	76,565 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+4%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+4%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+4%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

+6%

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About the 2003 MG MGF

The 2003 MG MGF is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 43 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 17% of 2003 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 61,264 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MG MGF owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2003 MG MGF Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 MG MGF?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,711 (£226/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MG MGF Reliability Trend

Newer MG MGFs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2003 MG MGF

At 23 years old, the MG MGF is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2002 model has the highest pass rate at 79%. Note: with only 43 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 MG MGF stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
MG MGF(2003)	67%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£483
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£558
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£558

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2003 MG MGF

Is the 2003 MG MGF reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 67% of MOT tests on 2003 MG MGFs ended in a pass, from 43 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 MG MGF cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,711 a year (£226 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 MG MGF?

67% of 43 MOT tests on the 2003 MG MGF ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 359th of 429 models first registered in 2003 (bottom 17%).

Which year MG MGF has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2002 MG MGF has the highest MOT pass rate at 79% and the 1995 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2003 MG MGF?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 MG MGF is 61,264 miles, which is significantly below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.