MOT failures by make

MG MOT faults: which failures are more common than on similar cars

Across 194,955 MOT tests of MG cars in 2023–2024, 7 of the make's most common failure items stand out against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, led by “SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault” at 2.88× the comparable rate. Overall MGs passed 78.2% of tests and failed 1.08× as often as comparable cars.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

MG MOT tests: 194,955; 114,414 cars, 2023–2024
Initial pass rate: 78.2%; DVSA results, retests excluded
Faults that stand out: 7; passed the make × item gate

Failures more common on MGs than on similar cars

Each links to the model-by-model and age breakdown for MG.

SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault · 2.88× · 0.96% of tests
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements · 2.62× · 1.66% of tests
Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative · 2.59× · 0.80% of tests
Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn · 2.28× · 0.75% of tests
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam · 2.12× · 1.47% of tests
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play · 1.95× · 0.74% of tests
Service brake performance: excessively binding · 1.59× · 0.74% of tests

MG’s most common MOT failure items

Ranked by how many MG tests failed on each item. The last column compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = the same rate).

MG: most common MOT failure items with observed ÷ expected
Defect item	Rank	Tests failing	Share	vs similar cars
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements	#1	3,227	1.66%	2.62×
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	#2	2,994	1.54%	0.70×
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	#3	2,871	1.47%	0.90×
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam	#4	2,860	1.47%	2.12×
Headlamp aim: too low	#5	2,541	1.30%	1.42×
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	#6	2,532	1.30%	1.18×
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	#7	2,339	1.20%	0.88×
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	#8	2,188	1.12%	1.09×
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault	#9	1,873	0.96%	2.88×
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	#10	1,819	0.93%	0.89×
Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative	#11	1,566	0.80%	2.59×
Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn	#12	1,462	0.75%	2.28×
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction	#13	1,460	0.75%	1.13×
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play	#14	1,448	0.74%	1.95×
Service brake performance: excessively binding	#15	1,436	0.74%	1.59×

Only the 150 most common national MOT failure items are compared; a rank counts every failure item recorded on the make.

How to use this

The list shows what a MG is more likely than other cars to fail on, which is where to look on a pre-MOT check or a used-car inspection. The model pages break the same data down further — see MG MOT pass rates by model.

Limitations

Official data: DVSA anonymised MOT results (2023–2024). 73 Auto analysis: expected failures apply the national rate of each item for the test's age, mileage band and fuel. MOT results reflect maintenance and use as well as design; they do not rank makes by reliability.

Check a MG’s MOT history before you buy

Enter a registration to see which of these faults that particular car has failed or been advised on, and what it costs to run. 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

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.