MOT failures by make
MG MOT failures for “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play”
MG cars failed their MOT on “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” in 0.74% of 194,955 tests in 2023–2024 (1,448 tests) — 2.0 times as often as comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 0.38% of tests. It is the number 14 most common failure item on MGs.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- MG tests failing on it
- 0.74%
- 1,448 of 194,955 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 0.38%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 1.95×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #14 for MG
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, MGs fail 1.08× as often as comparable cars. On this item the gap is 1.80× wider than that overall level, so it is a genuine MG pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the steering part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.07% of MOT tests.
MG models and “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play”
The MG MG3 is most affected (3.06× comparable cars); the MG ZS least (0.75×). Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG MG3 | 39,968 | 0.88% | 3.06× |
| MG Mgf | 12,064 | 2.07% | 2.37× |
| MG Tf | 19,430 | 2.66% | 1.57× |
| MG ZS | 71,594 | 0.09% | 0.75× |
By age at test
The difference is largest at 5-6 years old: 0.41% of MG tests against 0.15% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | MG tests | MG | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 59,262 | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| 5-6 | 24,411 | 0.41% | 0.15% |
| 7-8 | 12,693 | 1.24% | 0.47% |
| 9-10 | 5,083 | 1.71% | 1.03% |
| 16+ | 52,547 | 1.87% | 0.98% |
Other MG MOT faults that stand out
- 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
- Service brake performance: excessively binding · 1.59× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the MG tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this MG failed on it before?
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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.