MOT performance
MG ZS MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 71,594 MOT tests of the MG ZS in 2023–2024, 83.3% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, MG ZSs failed 19% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “headlamp: not working on dipped beam”, on 2.21% of tests.
71,594 MOT tests on 42,079 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 83.3% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 71,594 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.19× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 4.7% | n = 71,594 |
| Average age at test | 3.8 years | n = 71,594 |
| Median mileage at test | 26,619 miles | n = 71,594 |
| Vehicles tested | 42,079 | 2023–2024 |
Where MG ZSs 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5.2% | +133% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.2% | +52% |
| Tyres | 4.7% | -13% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.0% | -36% |
| Suspension | 1.7% | +16% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% | +133% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.7% | +25% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | +17% |
| Steering | 0.4% | +6% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -28% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -55% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +11% |
MG ZS MOT pass rate by fuel: petrol vs electric
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 53,558 | 4.2 yrs | 81.9% | +27% |
| Electric | 17,861 | 2.7 yrs | 87.9% | -5% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.21% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.59% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.57% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.40% |
| Headlamp: not working on main beam | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.18% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.07% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 0.96% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 0.83% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | Tyres | 0.80% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | Brakes | 0.79% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 14.89% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 14.52% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.53% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.75% |
| Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Other | 3.43% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 38,288 | 83.8% | +26% |
| 5-6 | 9,772 | 76.0% | +43% |
| 16+ | 2,665 | 61.2% | -8% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 447 | 90.2% | 0.85× |
| 2021 | 15,447 | 88.5% | 0.99× |
| 2020 | 24,829 | 86.2% | 1.15× |
| 2019 | 17,334 | 81.4% | 1.39× |
| 2018 | 10,169 | 77.8% | 1.39× |
| 2017 | 699 | 72.8% | 1.50× |
| 2005 | 552 | 63.9% | 0.84× |
| 2004 | 780 | 62.3% | 0.89× |
| 2003 | 597 | 57.1% | 1.04× |
| 2002 | 470 | 60.9% | 0.94× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
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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.