MG common problems and MOT failures
From 182,991 MOT tests in 2024, 16.9% of MG vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top MG MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre seriously damaged | 2,508 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 2,248 |
| 3 | headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 1,985 |
| 4 | suspension pin, bush or joint worn | 1,944 |
| 5 | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 1,812 |
| 6 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 1,628 |
| 7 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 1,585 |
| 8 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 1,575 |
| 9 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 1,526 |
| 10 | emissions levels exceed default limits | 1,410 |
What this means if you're buying a MG
The single most common MOT failure for MG is tyre seriously damaged, accounting for 14% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections. They show what testers actually find wrong with MG vehicles. If you're viewing a used MG, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
MG models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first. These models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3,316 | 70.1% |
| Zr | 3,262 | 71.3% |
| Zt-T | 1,313 | 71.4% |
| Mgf | 11,673 | 72.8% |
| Tf | 14,355 | 75% |
| Zt | 2,167 | 75% |
| Gs | 4,436 | 78.5% |
| 3 | 25,566 | 79.4% |
| Zs Limited Edition Auto | 308 | 79.5% |
| Mg 5 Excite Ev | 378 | 80.2% |
| Midget 1500 | 361 | 81.2% |
| Roadster | 440 | 81.8% |
| Zs | 27,586 | 81.9% |
| Unclassified | 459 | 82.1% |
| B Gt | 1,834 | 82.9% |
Buying a specific MG? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK