MG MGF (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 46 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,211

£184/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2,211/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol1796cc22 years old46 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,211

Per month£184/mo

Per week£43/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the MG brand average of 86%.

91% of MOT tests on MG MGFs from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 46 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 59,375 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models33rd of 470(top 8%)

Rank among MG models61st of 155(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+19%(72% avg)

vs MG average+5%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,375

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 MG MGF had 59,375 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2004 scores 91%. 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

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-18%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-20%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

-11%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-20%

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About the 2004 MG MGF

The 2004 MG MGF is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 46 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 8% of all 2004 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 59,375 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.

2004 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 2004 MG MGF?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,211 (£184/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2004 MG MGF

At 22 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 46 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 22 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.

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 2004 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(2004)	91%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,211
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£17
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£17
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£150
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£58

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 2004 MG MGF

Is the 2004 MG MGF reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2004 MG MGFs ended in a pass, from 46 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 MG MGF cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,211 a year (£184 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MG MGF?

91% of 46 MOT tests on the 2004 MG MGF ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 33rd of 470 models first registered in 2004 (top 8%).

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 2004 MG MGF?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 MG MGF is 59,375 miles, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.