MG MOT pass rates and reliability

We have 81,982 MOT tests on MG cars from 2023, covering 11 models with enough tests to compare. Choose a model to see what it fails on most often, how its pass rate changes with age and how far it is typically driven.

Across 81,982 MOT tests on MG cars in 2023, 77% passed first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. Of the MG models with enough tests, the 5 Excite did best at 84% and the 6 did least well at 59%. Newer models pass more often whatever the make, so compare cars of a similar age.

MG models

What MG cars fail on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, across all models, against the figure for all cars.

• Lights and electrics8.2% (all cars 11.3%)
• Brakes7.2% (all cars 6.8%)
• Tyres5.1% (all cars 6.4%)
• Suspension5.0% (all cars 9.0%)
• Visibility3.8% (all cars 4.8%)
• Exhaust and emissions3.2% (all cars 3.1%)
• Body and structure2.0% (all cars 3.5%)
• Seat belts and airbags1.6% (all cars 1.0%)

Most common MG failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 1.2%
2. Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2%
3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.1%
4. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam 0.9%
5. Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 0.9%
6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 0.8%
7. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative 0.8%
8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 0.7%

Check a particular MG

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.