MOT performance
MG3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 39,968 MOT tests of the MG3 in 2023–2024, 76.6% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, MG3s failed 38% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “headlamp aim: too low”, on 2.24% of tests.
39,968 MOT tests on 20,745 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.6% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 39,968 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.38× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.4% | n = 39,968 |
| Average age at test | 5.5 years | n = 39,968 |
| Median mileage at test | 31,472 miles | n = 39,968 |
| Vehicles tested | 20,745 | 2023–2024 |
Where MG3s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.2% | +46% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.8% | +51% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | +75% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.3% | +24% |
| Suspension | 4.0% | +29% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.1% | +546% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.0% | -6% |
| Steering | 1.0% | +45% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.7% | -15% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.1% | -16% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -37% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.24% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.17% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | Seat belts and airbags | 1.92% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.87% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.80% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.57% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.54% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | Tyres | 1.44% |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.43% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.41% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.42% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.53% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.23% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 7.63% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.88% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 11,566 | 82.0% | +54% |
| 5-6 | 11,091 | 75.7% | +46% |
| 7-8 | 10,140 | 71.5% | +29% |
| 9-10 | 3,613 | 68.1% | +15% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,995 | 84.7% | 1.51× |
| 2020 | 4,926 | 83.2% | 1.64× |
| 2019 | 7,360 | 81.8% | 1.49× |
| 2018 | 5,157 | 77.4% | 1.51× |
| 2017 | 5,784 | 73.9% | 1.47× |
| 2016 | 6,184 | 73.5% | 1.30× |
| 2015 | 4,769 | 70.2% | 1.27× |
| 2014 | 3,198 | 68.8% | 1.16× |
| 2013 | 375 | 70.9% | 1.00× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific MG3
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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.