At a Glance
Mg has 160 identified common problems across 32 models, with the Mgb being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 2.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Mg common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 2.4M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Mg models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Mg Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 32 Mg models.
Zr
Most common: Brakes
Mgf
Most common: Brakes
Mgb
Most common: Suspension
Tf
Most common: Brakes
Zs
Most common: Brakes
Zt
Most common: Brakes
Midget
Most common: Suspension
3
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
6
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Mg MOT Failures
Every reason Mg vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.56% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.95% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.34% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.24% |
| 5 | Exhaust system fault | 4.89% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 4.69% |
| 7 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.45% |
| 8 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.18% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.98% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.70% |
| 11 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.00% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.73% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.69% |
| 14 | Track rod end worn | 2.60% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.55% |
| 16 | Driveshaft fault | 2.43% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.37% |
| 18 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.35% |
| 19 | Rear lamp not working | 1.21% |
| 20 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.19% |
| 21 | Parking brake condition | 1.17% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.07% |
| 23 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.98% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 0.93% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.93% |
| 26 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.92% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.90% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.85% |
| 29 | Horn not working | 0.82% |
| 30 | Front suspension fault | 0.81% |
| 31 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.77% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.75% |
| 33 | Rear suspension fault | 0.72% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.66% |
| 35 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.63% |
| 36 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.62% |
| 37 | Chassis condition | 0.60% |
| 38 | Airbag warning light on | 0.52% |
| 39 | Seat belt condition | 0.52% |
| 40 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 41 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.46% |
| 42 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.39% |
| 43 | ABS fault | 0.39% |
| 44 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 45 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.38% |
| 46 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.38% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.32% |
| 48 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 49 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 50 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.23% |
| 51 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.23% |
| 52 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.18% |
| 53 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 54 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.17% |
| 55 | Brake fluid leak | 0.16% |
| 56 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.15% |
| 57 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.14% |
| 58 | Steering free play excessive | 0.14% |
| 59 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.13% |
| 60 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.13% |
| 61 | Brake caliper fault | 0.13% |
| 62 | Electrical switch fault | 0.13% |
| 63 | Brake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 64 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.11% |
| 65 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.11% |
| 67 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 68 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 69 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 70 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.08% |
| 72 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 73 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.07% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 75 | Steering arm worn | 0.07% |
| 76 | Steering operation fault | 0.07% |
| 77 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 78 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 80 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.06% |
| 81 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.06% |
| 82 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 83 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.05% |
| 84 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 85 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 86 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 87 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 89 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.04% |
| 90 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 93 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.03% |
| 94 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 98 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 100 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 101 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.02% |
| 103 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 107 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 110 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 111 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.02% |
| 112 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 114 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 116 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 118 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 121 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 124 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 125 | Stub axle worn | 0.01% |
| 126 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 129 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 145 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 146 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 148 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 152 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 174 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 185 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 187 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 192 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 194 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 196 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 197 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 198 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 200 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 201 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 201 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mg MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Mg, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mg problems?
Based on analysis of 2.4M Mg MOT tests from DVSA data, Mg has 160 identified common problems across 32 models. The Mg Mgb has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Mg model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Mg Mgb has the highest count with 73 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Mg models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mg?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mg owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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