Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 MG Tf?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 MG Tf?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 MG Tf?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 MG Tf vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

39% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 MG Tf reliable?

Based on MOT data from 7,459 vehicles, the 2004 MG Tf has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 MG Tf?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 MG Tf are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (67.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.9% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (45% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 MG Tf?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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MG Tf (2004)

7,459 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.5% first-time pass rate

2004 MG Tf

CarHunch analysed 7,459 real MOT records for the 2004 MG Tf. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 MG TF is a notably unreliable proposition, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.3%—nearly 8 percentage points below the UK average of 80%. More concerning, 38.7% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect, which is well above acceptable levels and should give any potential buyer serious pause.

The median mileage of 43,103 miles is quite low for a 20-year-old car, suggesting that surviving examples tend to be cherished or lightly used—yet they still average 4.54 failures and 20.6 advisories per test, indicating chronic weakness rather than mileage-related wear. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with MG electrics and cooling systems, as these are the typical failure points on this model.

The 2004 MG Tf has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

38.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.54

Over 16.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

43k

Middle half: 33k–56k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 7,459 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 7,459 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 67.5%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 45%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 28%

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Suspension & steering 24.5%

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play · Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 7,459 MG Tf cars.

Before you buy a 2004 MG Tf

Based on MOT data from 7,459 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 38.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	7,404	73.4%	4.57
Other (1%)	53	81%	0.96

Colour Breakdown

Based on 29,026 MG Tf vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 25.6%

7,430

Blue 24.5%

7,105

Grey 21.8%

6,322

Green 10.3%

2,994

Red 8%

2,330

Black 6.4%

1,847

Yellow 1.5%

436

White 0.7%

217

Gold 0.6%

171

Orange 0.4%

107

Cream 0.2%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 MG Tf vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

43,103

typical

32,616

low mileage

55,595

high mileage

Half of all 2004 MG Tf vehicles fall between 32,616 and 55,595 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,616 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 32,616–55,595 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 MG Tfs sit.

⚠ Over 75,053 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 MG Tf — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 41% of 2004 MG Tfs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 2,263 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.54

Avg failures per vehicle

20.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — MG Tf: All Tf years → Which year to buy? →

2002 2003 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010

Or browse all models: MG →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 MG Tf stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on