MG 3: what fails at MOT
29,000 MOT tests on the MG 3 in 2024, counted. 23.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.2% of MG 3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17.3%, so the 3 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5.1% of tests), tyres (5% of tests) and brakes (4.1% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, tyres and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,755 | 14.4% | 10.9% | 18,000 12,200 to 25,300 |
| 2020 | 3,623 | 15.6% | 11.5% | 20,900 14,600 to 29,400 |
| 2019 | 5,302 | 17.9% | 13.4% | 26,100 18,900 to 35,600 |
| 2018 | 3,567 | 23.0% | 15.6% | 33,600 23,300 to 46,500 |
| 2017 | 4,117 | 28.4% | 18.2% | 40,900 27,200 to 53,900 |
| 2016 | 4,245 | 26.1% | 21.3% | 45,700 31,900 to 60,100 |
| 2015 | 3,233 | 32.1% | 24.4% | 50,400 36,100 to 65,900 |
| 2014 | 2,170 | 31.4% | 27.7% | 55,100 39,000 to 72,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of MG 3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 3 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 5.1% | 3.4% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.0% | 3.6% | More than most |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 2.4% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.1% | 2.1% | More than most |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 2.4% | More than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.5% | 0.3% | More than most |
| Steering | 0.9% | 0.5% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.8% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.2%
- Headlamp aim2.5%
- Wipers1.7%
- Washers1.5%
- Airbag warning light1.4%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Brake test1.3%
- Headlamp1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
- Brake pads1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.6%
- Airbag warning light: warning lamp indicates a fault1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.9%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.0%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.4%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened1.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a MG 3's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.