2003 MG TF 160

‘YD03 UXZ’ is a Starlight Silver MG TF 160 that sports the unusual and highly attractive option of a Grenadine and Black half-leather/half-Alcantara interior.

With 158bhp on offer from the 1.8-litre K-Series engine, this MG TF 160 can also streak to 62mph in under seven seconds on its way to a top speed of 137mph.

Built in 2003 and showing just 26,000 miles on the odometer, it’s been in the seller’s care since September 2023. Attracted by its fabulous interior, he bought it for his son to use when he visited from abroad.

Having fulfilled its role admirably, he’s decided now is the right time to let it go to a new owner.

It presents well as you walk up to it with the metallic silver finish giving it a hewn-from-solid look the tight shutlines reinforce. There are no ripples along the flank to spoil the illusion either, and just a single dent on the nearside front wing. 

The Starlight Silver paintwork, paint code MBB, has a very healthy shine to it, and the black roof continues the monochromatic look.

The roof rises and falls easily too, and it’s almost completely free of rips, tears, and holes, the sole exception being a tiny hole above the driver’s door. 

The stitching also still looks good and tight, and the plastic rear window shows little more than a few lights scratches and creases. A black pleather cover keeps it hidden when it is furled, maintaining the MG TF’s clean profile. 

The 16-inch, 11-spoke alloy wheels are free of any kerbing damage whatsoever, which isn’t something we get to write very often. The centre caps are in good order too, as are the red brake calipers that peek out from behind the front wheels.

The front tyres are 195/45ZR16 Maxtrek Ingens A1 from 2018, while the rears are slightly wider 215/40ZR16 Toyo Proxes T1R that were made in 2017. 

The light lenses are free of chips and cracks, the badging is shiny and still legible, and the glazing is in good order. 

As for problems, the wheelarches are starting to rust, and the dreaded tin worm also makes an appearance on the nearside front and rear wings, both sills, and the offside rear wing. 

A hole near the rear subframe caused it to fail an MoT in 2025. A local garage undertook the necessary repairs, and the seller has treated the sill with silver Hammerite to help fend off further corrosion. 

The nearside door mirror and underside of the front bumper are scuffed, the nearside rear wing is missing its grille cover, and the boot lid is scratched.

If the exterior boasts a relatively sombre colour scheme, then the interior cuts a little looser with a vibrant Grenadine and Black theme, trim code CVP. It’s also trimmed in leather and Alcantara, and the ubiquitous wood and chrome also make an appearance. 

And it looks terrific, doesn’t it, with the contrasting red stitches on the outer black leather sections picking up the red material used elsewhere. 

As for its condition, the only sign of wear is the driver’s seat, which looks exactly as you’d expect after 26,000 miles, with nothing more than mild creasing. 

The seatbelt buckles are more worn but the rest, the switches, instruments, door cards, carpets, and inner headlining, are all pretty much untouched; you might not mistake them for new items but if you saw them on a five-year-old car you’d be pleasantly surprised.

Of course, being a modern MG, you also get airbags, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, cupholders, and air-conditioning in addition to decades of heritage.

Other goodies include a pop-up wind deflector that’ll keep your hair as unflustered at high speed as the MG itself – and if you allow for speedo error, the 150mph-speedometer might not be unduly optimistic…

The headunit is a Kenwood and this connects to a boot-mounted CD-multichanger from the same manufacturer.

The mid-engined payout gives with a small rear boot and a full-size spare wheel in the frunk, making the MG TF a surprisingly practical touring car. Both are very nicely presented, with no obvious flaws bar a small hole in the carpet to the left of the CD-multichanger. 

Everything we tested worked as it should, and the MG comes with a breathable car cover that can be used indoors or outdoors.

The MG has been treated well, with the following routine servicing work recorded:

• 16.03.2004 and 2,110 miles – service by Harewood MG Rover Leeds
• 15.03.2005 and 4,258 miles – service by Harewood MG Rover Leeds
• 28.11.2006 and 9,142 miles – service by Evans Halshaw Leeds
• 07.07.2010 and 12,271 miles – service by Bank Top Garage Wetherby
• 02.07.2021 and 20,792 miles – service by MGFNT Bitz including a head gasket, waterpump, and cambelt
• 09.11.2022 and 21,599 miles – service by Trophy Cars South Witham
• 18.10.2023 and 23,788 miles – service by Trophy Cars South Witham including a new head gasket, waterpump, and cambelt
• 08.09.2025 and 25,273 miles – service by Vertu Grantham

As you’d expect it starts without fuss, idles without triggering any warning lights on the dashboard, and revs enthusiastically. The test drive went well with no apparent faults. 

The engine is a bit hard to see but what we can make out looks clean. The daily servicing points like the dipstick and fluid reservoirs are easily accessible though, so routine checks will be straightforward. 

The MG’s MoT certificate, which is valid until September 2026, was issued with no advisories, a state of affairs it’s been no stranger to over the years. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the MG comes with two keys.

The history file includes the V5C Registration Certificate showing two previous owners, the book pack including a stamped service history booklet, and a couple of invoices.

The MG TF offers spectacular value for money, with our estimate for this one being between £5,000 and £8,000 – but as it’s being offered with no reserve, it may fetch even less.

Run it for the summer and then use the winter to sort the bodywork out; there is certainly no shortage of people out there who’d be happy to supply the bits you’ll need or even perform the work for you. 

Treat it well and hang onto it for a while and you might even do okay in the long-term – and even if it only holds its value, you’ll still have enjoyed owning one of the most underrated mid-engined sportscars of its generation. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.