MG TF (2003)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,716 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1589cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1589cc23 years old4,716 tests63k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1589cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MG brand average of 86%.

77% of MOT tests on MG TFs from 2003 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 21 years old. That's based on 4,716 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,841 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 models132nd of 429(top half)

Rank among MG models123rd of 155(bottom 22%)

vs average of all models-5%(82% avg)

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

vs MG average-9%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,841

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2003 MG TF had 62,841 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 2011 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2003 scores 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MG TF by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2011	88%	115	34,043 mi
2010	84%	356	39,827 mi
2009	82%	492	44,280 mi
2008	79%	210	48,364 mi
2007	80%	64	43,226 mi
2006	80%	509	51,398 mi
2005	79%	2,127	54,989 mi
2004	78%	4,488	59,443 mi
2003	77%	4,716	62,841 mi
2002	76%	3,055	63,283 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-6%

Ford Focus

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-6%

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-6%

Toyota Yaris

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

73%

-4%

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About the 2003 MG TF

The 2003 MG TF is a small family car. Our records list a 1589cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,716 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 62,841 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MG TF 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 TF Fuel Costs

The 1589cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 TF?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MG TF Reliability Trend

Newer MG TFs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2003 MG TF

At 23 years old, the MG TF 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 2011 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

What the 2003 MG TF Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 830 MOT tests on the 2003 MG TF that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Brakes38%
Same age: 31%
Lights and electrics36%
Same age: 50% (fails on this less often)
Suspension28%
Same age: 38% (fails on this less often)
Exhaust, emissions and leaks25%
Same age: 17% (fails on this more often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · MG TF reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

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 2003 MG TF 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 TF(2003)	77%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Ford Focus(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Toyota Yaris(2005)	73%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75

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 TF

Is the 2003 MG TF reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MOT tests on 2003 MG TFs ended in a pass, from 4,716 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2003 MG TF cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

77% of 4,716 MOT tests on the 2003 MG TF ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 132nd of 429 models first registered in 2003 (top half).

Which year MG TF has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2011 MG TF has the highest MOT pass rate at 88% and the 2002 the lowest at 76%. 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 TF?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2003 MG TF is 62,841 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.