MG Zt-T
From 1,313 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired and an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 72 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 72 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 46 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 41 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 41 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 40 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 38 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 27 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 26 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 25 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 25 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.6% of Zt-T failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 47.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £155.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 74.8% while Diesel versions pass at 68.5%, a 6 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 57.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, parking brake inoperative on one side |
| 2005 | 74.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2004 | 75.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2003 | 64.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
1 earlier years
| 2002 | 78% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
Typical mileage
Half of all Zt-Ts tested had between 89,840 and 157,826 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 130,453 median miles, the Zt-T has 0.022 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other MG models
| MG Zs | 81.9% |
| MG 3 | 79.4% |
| MG Zs Exclusive Ev | 89.5% |
| MG Tf | 75% |
| MG Mgf | 72.8% |
Common questions
What is the MG Zt-T MOT pass rate?
The MG Zt-T has a 71.4% MOT pass rate based on 1,313 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a MG Zt-T?
The most common MOT failure on the MG Zt-T is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 72 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
What is the typical mileage of a MG Zt-T at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a MG Zt-T is 130,453 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 89,840 and 157,826 miles.
Buying a used Zt-T?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 71.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £155 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.