MOT performance
MG MOT pass rates and common failures
Across 194,955 MOT tests of MG cars in 2023–2024, 78.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, MGs failed 8% more often than comparable cars. Of the 5 MG models with enough tests, the MG Tf failed least often relative to comparable cars.
194,955 MOT tests on 114,414 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 78.2% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 194,955 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.08× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.5% | n = 194,955 |
| Average age at test | 8.8 years | n = 194,955 |
MG models
Where MGs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.3% | +7% |
| Brakes | 6.6% | +47% |
| Tyres | 5.0% | -3% |
| Suspension | 4.3% | -2% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.5% | -13% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | +36% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.7% | -26% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% | +64% |
| Steering | 1.2% | +24% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -32% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -21% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -18% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 1.65% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.54% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.47% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.47% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.30% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.30% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.20% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.12% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | Seat belts and airbags | 0.96% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 0.93% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 59,262 | 84.1% | +26% |
| 5-6 | 24,411 | 75.9% | +42% |
| 7-8 | 12,693 | 70.8% | +31% |
| 9-10 | 5,083 | 65.9% | +19% |
| 11-12 | 1,516 | 60.0% | +16% |
| 13-15 | 1,292 | 72.1% | -6% |
| 16+ | 52,547 | 69.1% | -10% |
MOT failures where MG stands out
Individual failure items that MGs record clearly more or less often than cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. All MG MOT failure patterns.
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements · 2.62× comparable cars
- SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault · 2.88× comparable cars
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam · 2.12× comparable cars
- Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative · 2.59× comparable cars
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn · 2.28× comparable cars
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play · 1.95× comparable cars
- Service brake performance: excessively binding · 1.59× comparable cars
Check a specific MG
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.