CarVerify

Free Car Check

P278 HAK

1997 MG Mgf

Red Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Jun 2027
Tests21 (17 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81%

Mileage

68,790 mi
Last recorded68,790 miles
Recorded on29 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 MG Mgf71,264 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this MG
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationP278 HAK
MakeMG
ModelMgf
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 4 fail
Pass 29 Jun 2026 68,790 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Jun 2025 65,843 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2024 64,349 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure slightly damaged within 30cm of towbar mounting outer, plus sill end section (6.1.6 (i) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2023 62,319 miles

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Jun 2022 61,362 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced front section of sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 6 May 2022 61,362 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced front section of sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 17 Mar 2021 61,353 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Jul 2017 61,311 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 3 Aug 2016 60,867 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 27 Jan 2016 60,867 miles

Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both sides (3.6.B.4e)

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened both sides (3.5.1i)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened both sides (3.5.1i)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 20 Sep 2014 60,557 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

slight corrosion to inner faces of all brake discs

Fail 5 Aug 2014 60,557 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

slight corrosion to inner faces of all brake discs

suspension ride height slightly low

Pass 13 Mar 2013 60,416 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 12 Mar 2012 60,255 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 15 Mar 2011 59,756 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 5 Mar 2010 59,228 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

nearside front tyre wearing low towards inner edge

suspension height slightly low

underfloor coolant pipes corroding

Pass 13 Mar 2009 58,339 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

nearside front tyre wearing low on inner edge

underfloor coolant pipes corroding around mounting brackets

Fail 14 Feb 2008 57,335 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 14 Feb 2008 57,335 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 14 Feb 2007 56,546 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

offside headlamp lens damaged but not affecting light output or beam image

Pass 3 Feb 2006 55,731 miles

brake pipes corroded

small hole in offside headlight

How Reliable is the MG Mgf?

Based on 546,238 MOT tests across 40,565 vehicles.

66.7%
Pass Rate
2,116
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
40,565
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 37,610
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 32,964
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 24,147
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 23,285
Brake pipe excessively corroded 21,602
Full MG Mgf reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P278 HAK is a 1997 MG Mgf in Red with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81%.

Across all 1997 MG Mgf models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.0% with a typical mileage of 71,264 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a MG Mgf fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 37,610 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P278 HAK, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The MG Mgf typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this MG Mgf is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P278 HAK?

You can check the full history of P278 HAK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P278 HAK registered?

P278 HAK is a 1997 MG Mgf, first registered on 17 January 1997.

Is P278 HAK safe to buy?

The MOT history for P278 HAK shows 21 tests with a 81% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P278 HAK have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on P278 HAK. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.