MG ZR MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the MG ZR took 2,403 MOT tests in Britain and passed 63% of them first time, below the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 2,403
- First-time pass rate
- 63%
- All cars
- 71%
What the ZR fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Lights and electrics18.3% (all cars 11.3%)
- Body and structure12.2% (all cars 3.5%)
- Brakes10.1% (all cars 6.8%)
- Suspension8.9% (all cars 9.0%)
- Exhaust and emissions7.4% (all cars 3.1%)
- Tyres5.3% (all cars 6.4%)
- Visibility5.2% (all cars 4.8%)
- Seat belts and airbags3.7% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 6.0%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 5.3%
- Position lamp: not working 4.1%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases 3.4%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect 3.0%
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 2.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 2.8%
- Stop lamp: not working 2.7%
Most common advisories
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 12.7%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 11.2%
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 9.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 6.7%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 6.5%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 6.2%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive 5.8%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 5.7%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 612 | 63% |
| 2004 | 817 | 61% |
| 2005 | 514 | 63% |
Typical mileage by age
Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.
| Age at test | Average mileage |
|---|---|
| 18 years | 82,639 miles |
| 19 years | 82,523 miles |
| 20 years | 84,358 miles |
Check a particular ZR
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other MG models
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.