Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 MG Tf vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% 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 2009 MG Tf reliable?

Based on MOT data from 356 vehicles, the 2009 MG Tf has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 MG Tf?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 MG Tf are: Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (36.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (36.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (33.8% 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 2009 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.

CarHunch

Get Started

MG Tf (2009)

356 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

2009 MG Tf

CarHunch analysed 356 real MOT records for the 2009 MG Tf. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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

Moderate sample. 356 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2009 MG TF passes its MOT on first attempt 81.6% of the time, marginally above the UK average of 80%—a respectable result for a 15-year-old sports car. However, 27.3% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and suggests structural or safety issues warrant careful inspection before purchase.

At a median of 28,718 miles, these TFs are genuinely low-mileage examples for their age, though they average 2.94 failures per test and 18.7 advisories, pointing to niggling corrosion and wear rather than catastrophic problems. Before buying, commission a pre-purchase inspection that specifically flags any history of dangerous defects in the service record, and budget for routine attention to trim and weathersealing.

The 2009 MG Tf has a decent first-time pass rate (81.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

81.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

27.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.94

Over 14.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

29k

Middle half: 21k–39k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.7 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 356 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 356 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 36.8%

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

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

Tyre wear 33.8%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside 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.

Other issues 29.1%

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Oil leak, but not excessive

Suspension & steering 19%

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight 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 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 356 MG Tf cars.

Before you buy a 2009 MG Tf

Based on MOT data from 356 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.3% 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 (100%)	355	81.5%	2.95

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 2009 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.

28,718

typical

20,518

low mileage

38,812

high mileage

Half of all 2009 MG Tf vehicles fall between 20,518 and 38,812 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 20,518 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.

✓ 20,518–38,812 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 MG Tfs sit.

⚠ Over 52,396 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 MG Tf — Still on the Road

Most 2009 MG Tfs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 263 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the 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

14.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.94

Avg failures per vehicle

18.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2010

Or browse all models: MG →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 MG Tf stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing