MG 3 MOT pass rate and common problems
81.4% of 26,936 MG 3 MOT tests pass.
At 81.4%, the 3 passes slightly less often than the average across all MG models (84.6%).
The MG 3 has a pass rate of 81.4%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this MG 3?
This is the average across every MG 3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your MG’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.1% at 0–3 years to 73.6% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.1% | 845 | 18,921 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.8% | 10,634 | 28,254 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.3% | 14,237 | 47,052 miles |
| 10–15 years | 73.6% | 1,217 | 59,474 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the MG 3
The most common reason the MG 3 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 33.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 33.3% | Too low |
| Brakes | 32.1% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 29.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 19.6% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Visibility | 18.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 4.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.8% | Component leaking |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used MG 3: what to check
These checks follow the MG 3’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the MG 3 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 86.8% to 77.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 89.3% down to 78.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 33.3% of failed MG 3 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 32.1% of failed MG 3 MOTs. 10.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 29.8% of failed MG 3 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 19.6% of failed MG 3 MOTs. 9.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 18.4% of failed MG 3 MOTs. 7.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.1% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check MG service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related MG models
- MG ZS — 86.8% pass rate
- MG HS — 93.9% pass rate
- MG TF — 74.3% pass rate
- MG MGF — 70.1% pass rate
- MG ZS Exclusive Vti-Tech — 91.7% pass rate
- MG 5 — 92.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the MG 3?
- 81.4% of MG 3 MOT tests pass, based on 26,936 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the MG 3?
- The most common reason the MG 3 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 33.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
- What are the common problems with the MG 3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the MG 3 are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used MG 3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the MG 3's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the MG service history guide for how to check and keep one.