2002 MG TF 1.8L Petrol · FJ02 VTL

The 2002 MG TF presents as roadworthy following a clean pass on 15 May 2025 at 51,930 miles, with the maintenance trend appearing stable across the recorded history. The most recent test showed no defects, though it followed a failed attempt one week earlier on 8 May 2025 at the same mileage with no faults listed, suggesting an administrative or presentation issue rather than a mechanical defect. Prior to that, the vehicle passed on 7 May 2024 at 51,620 miles after a similar same-week fail on 3 May 2024 with no defects recorded. The odometer reads 51,930 miles against 24 years of age, equating to roughly 2,164 miles per year, which is low for a sports convertible of this period. The record shows minimal annual accumulation: 51,368 miles in May 2023, 51,620 in May 2024, and 51,930 in May 2025. Such low use with paired fail-pass entries in consecutive springs implies the car sits unused for long stretches and is woken only for the annual test, a pattern that often masks perished rubber components and standing corrosion not captured on a clean sheet. A buyer should physically inspect the suspension bushes, coil springs, and subframe for structural rust given the TF's known rot-prone front and rear chassis legs, none of which the MOT advisories tracked due to the blank defect fields. The repeated no-defect fails point to no flagged brake disc wear, binding calipers, or exhaust emissions breaches, but the garage likely did not deep-test these on a standing vehicle. Verify the tyre sidewall condition and brake fluid age before purchase, as low-mileage MGs commonly suffer from cracked tyres and stale hydraulics despite passing emissions.