The single most visible lighting change across MGF and MG TF production is the headlamp design. MGF cars use composite headlamp units with conventional reflector-type main and dip beam elements and separate front indicator pods mounted outboard of each headlamp. MG TF cars use projector-type headlamp units with the front indicators integrated into the same housing as the headlamp itself, producing a sharper beam cut-off and a more modern visual appearance. The change was introduced with the Peter Stevens-led TF styling refresh in 2002 and remained unchanged through to the end of NAC-era production.
MGF and MG TF headlamp units are not interchangeable, lens geometry, mounting arrangements, and wiring connectors all differ. The MY2000 facelift at VIN XD511059 changed MGF indicator lens colours (clear to smoked lenses with amber bulbs), a subtler but visible refresh that owners sometimes retrofit to pre-MY2000 cars with a clear-lens conversion kit.
Which Child Page to Choose
Headlamps & Front Indicators covers the MGF composite headlamp assemblies, MG TF projector headlamp assemblies, front indicator pods in amber and smoked lens specifications, handed side repeater indicator lamps, front fog lamps and their production-change mountings, and the headlamp-alignment hardware. H1, H7, and H11 bulb applications specific to each lamp are detailed on this page. Rear Lamps & Brake Light covers the rear lamp clusters in both MGF and MG TF specifications (handed left and right per model, four distinct part numbers between the two cars), tail and brake light bulbs, rear indicator and fog lamp elements, reversing lamps, the rear number plate lamps, and the boot-mounted high-level brake light (initially VVC-only and standardised across the range from 1998). Interior & Luggage Lights covers the cabin courtesy lamp, map-reading lamps, glovebox illumination, and the boot compartment lamp, particularly relevant given the boot's dual role as both luggage space and engine-cover access point.
Bulbs covers the full range of replacement bulbs fitted across the MGF and MG TF, headlamp H1, H7, and H11, indicator and side repeater 21-watt bulbs, interior festoon and capless bulbs, and panel illumination bulbs. A compact spare bulb kit covering the most commonly replaced positions is catalogued as a glovebox item for roadside replacement. Upgrades & Alternatives covers uprated headlamp bulbs for improved night-driving visibility, LED replacement bulbs for indicator and interior positions, and headlamp lens refurbishment kits for restoring UV-hazed lenses to clarity without fitting new units.