MG ZS MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the MG ZS took 29,270 MOT tests in Britain and passed 84% of them first time, above 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
- 29,270
- First-time pass rate
- 84%
- All cars
- 71%
What the ZS fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Brakes5.4% (all cars 6.8%)
- Lights and electrics5.2% (all cars 11.3%)
- Tyres4.6% (all cars 6.4%)
- Visibility1.7% (all cars 4.8%)
- Suspension1.7% (all cars 9.0%)
- Exhaust and emissions1.6% (all cars 3.1%)
- Body and structure0.9% (all cars 3.5%)
- Seat belts and airbags0.5% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam 2.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 1.6%
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.5%
- Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.3%
- Headlamp: not working on main beam 1.1%
- Service brake performance: excessively binding 1.1%
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn 1.0%
- Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative 0.9%
Most common advisories
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 16.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 14.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin 5.6%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 3.7%
- Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 3.1%
- Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 2.8%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 2.6%
- Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.5%
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 | 320 | 56% |
| 2004 | 426 | 62% |
| 2017 | 350 | 73% |
| 2018 | 5,086 | 80% |
| 2019 | 8,683 | 83% |
| 2020 | 12,408 | 88% |
| 2021 | 649 | 91% |
| 2022 | 618 | 92% |
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 |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 22,434 miles |
| 4 years | 27,481 miles |
| 5 years | 34,190 miles |
| 6 years | 39,105 miles |
| 18 years | 91,797 miles |
| 19 years | 87,534 miles |
| 20 years | 85,592 miles |
Check a particular ZS
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.