2004 MG TF 1.6L Petrol · BU04 AKY

The MG TF is currently roadworthy. At the April 2025 test, it passed outright at 58,920 miles with no defects recorded. The record shows a failure six days earlier at 58,912 miles, again with no defect details captured; the eight-mile interval between the two tests indicates a prompt retest after a minor rectification. Over the three entries, the pattern is stable and clean, with nothing escalating across the test dates. The recorded mileage is low for a 22-year-old car. 58,920 miles equates to roughly 2,678 miles per year. More telling is the gap between the August 2022 pass at 58,626 miles and the April 2025 retest at 58,912 miles — just 286 miles in 32 months. That implies the TF stood for long periods, which can degrade rubber mounts, brake seals, and coolant components just as surely as heavy use can wear suspension and drivetrain parts. With no recurring faults in the history, a buyer should focus on standing-related deterioration rather than known mechanical defects. Check the tyres for age cracking and flat spots despite apparent tread depth. Look for binding brake calipers and corroded or lipped discs, and inspect suspension bushes, coil springs, and the underside for structural corrosion. For a K-series MG TF, the cooling system deserves particular scrutiny; long idle periods and coolant neglect are the usual precursors to head gasket failure.