Most Reliable Mg Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 91,143 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Mg models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
91,143 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Mg model from 2001-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Mg HS
89.9% pass rate
Best Single Year
TF 2005 Petrol
70.9% pass rate
Mg vs National Average
77.7% vs 71.4%
+6.2% above average
Proven Durability Champion
RV8
+25.7% at 21+ years
How reliable are Mgs really? We analysed 91,143 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out which Mg models pass most often and which years are worth buying.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Mg models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Mg Compares to Rivals
Mg ranks #98 out of 180 manufacturers with a 77.7% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mg | 77.7% | #98 | 91,143 |
| Toyota | 73.8% | #115 | 1,637,457 |
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Nissan | 68.6% | #142 | 1,626,183 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
The verdict: Mg leads its competitors with a 77.7% pass rate.
Best Mg Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Mg's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS | 89.9% | +18.5% | 3,600 | 2019-2023 |
| 5 | 86.8% | +15.3% | 3,244 | 2020-2023 |
| ZS | 83.7% | +12.2% | 29,268 | 2001-2023 |
| GS | 79.5% | +8.1% | 2,869 | 2016-2019 |
| ZR | 62.5% | -8.9% | 2,400 | 2001-2008 |
| 6 | 59.3% | -12.1% | 2,234 | 2011-2020 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Top performer
The HS leads Mg's lineup with an 89.9% pass rate.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Mg Models Age Best?
These Mg models have proven exceptional durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They consistently outperform the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV8 | - | All | +25.7% | 21+ years | 86.7% |
| TF | - | All | +13.7% | 18-20 years | 69.8% |
| TF | - | All | +8.0% | 21+ years | 69.0% |
| ZT | - | All | +8.0% | 18-20 years | 64.2% |
| ZS | - | All | +5.6% | 18-20 years | 61.7% |
| ZR | - | All | +5.5% | 18-20 years | 61.7% |
| MGF | - | All | +4.7% | 21+ years | 65.7% |
| ZR | - | All | +2.7% | 21+ years | 63.7% |
| ZT-T | - | All | +1.7% | 18-20 years | 57.9% |
| ZT | - | All | +0.8% | 21+ years | 61.8% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The RV8 outperforms the average 21+ years-old car by 26 percentage points, with 526 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Mg models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - too early to assess long-term reliability. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS | - | All | +4.9% | 3-7 years | 89.7% |
| GS | - | All | +2.8% | 8-10 years | 78.2% |
| 5 | - | All | +1.2% | 3-7 years | 86.0% |
| MG | - | All | +0.3% | 3-7 years | 85.0% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Mg ZS: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The ZS has 29,268 tests in our database with an overall 83.7% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Electric | 91.6% | -1.2% | 586 |
| 2020 | Electric | 90.0% | +2.3% | 5,504 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 86.6% | -1.1% | 6,904 |
| 2019 | Electric | 85.4% | -0.8% | 658 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 82.6% | -3.6% | 8,025 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 79.9% | -4.4% | 5,085 |
ZS verdict: The 2022 electric model achieves a 91.6% pass rate (20 points above average).
Mg Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for Mg. Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 97.6% | +26.1% | 290 |
| Electric | 88.7% | +17.2% | 11,113 |
| Petrol | 76.6% | +5.2% | 77,309 |
| Diesel | 58.6% | -12.9% | 2,415 |
The hybrid advantage: Mg hybrids pass MOTs 21% more often than petrols and 39% more often than diesels.
What Goes Wrong on Mgs?
When Mgs fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7,190 |
| 2. Brakes | 6,162 |
| 3. Tyres | 4,427 |
| 4. Suspension | 4,254 |
| 5. Visibility | 3,302 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 2,744 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 1,736 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Mg owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- HS EXCLUSIVE S-A 2020 Petrol: 91% pass rate
- ZS EXCLUSIVE EV 2020 Electric: 91% pass rate
- HS EXCLUSIVE 2020 Petrol: 89% pass rate
- ZS EXCLUSIVE VTI-TECH 2020 Petrol: 89% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- RV8 (21+ years): +26% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- TF (18-20 years): +11% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- ZT (18-20 years): +4% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- ZS (18-20 years): +6% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Mg Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- 6 (11-14 years): -8% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 11-14 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 91,143 tests on Mg vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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