MG Tc Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Tc car check
Is the MG Tc reliable? We analysed 2,261 real MOT tests across 377 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Tc? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Tc is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brakes imbalanced across an axle, stop lamp not working and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Tc.
MG Tc Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Tc. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Tc MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Tc to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Tc Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Tc fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Tc Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Tc owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Tc MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Tc year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 51 | 94.1% | 8,859 | 16,499 | 44,416 |
| 1991 | 83 | 91.6% | 7,058 | 14,455 | 18,908 |
| 1990 | 79 | 91.1% | 4,563 | 7,541 | 28,996 |
| 1949 | 446 | 89.7% | 3,308 | 10,916 | 39,175 |
| 1948 | 188 | 89.9% | 3,251 | 10,749 | 39,206 |
| 1947 | 406 | 88.2% | 4,225 | 13,811 | 28,094 |
| 1946 | 377 | 88.3% | 3,226 | 9,978 | 19,187 |
How Long Does a MG Tc Last?
Based on 377 MG Tc vehicles on UK roads.
MG Tc Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Tc MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used MG Tc
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.1% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
88.2% MOT pass rate from 406 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Tc is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.1% across 51 tests. The 1947 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Tc Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Tc THIS CAR | 88.9% | 2,261 | 10,834 mi | 80 yrs |
| MG Zr | 69.8% | 651,705 | 57,257 mi | 25 yrs |
| MG Mgf | 66.7% | 546,238 | 62,469 mi | 31 yrs |
| MG Tf | 72.8% | 475,348 | 45,249 mi | 24 yrs |
| Volvo XC40 Inscription B4 MHEV AWD A | 93.4% | 4,116 | 26,978 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Tc outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Tc you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific MG TcShould you buy a used MG Tc?
The MG Tc has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.9% across 2,261 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the MG Tc are brakes imbalanced across an axle (47 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (44), and parking brake recording little or no effort (26). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical MG Tc owner drives around 336 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most MG Tc models stay on UK roads for around 80 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.