MG 5 MOT pass rate and common problems
92.7% of 7,840 MG 5 MOT tests pass.
The 5 passes its MOT 92.7% of the time — well above the average across all MG models, which sits at 84.6%.
The MG 5 passes its MOT 92.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this MG 5?
This is the average across every MG 5 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 stays relatively stable with age: 93.0% at 0–3 years versus 91.1% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.0% | 6,405 | 38,267 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.1% | 1,435 | 38,999 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the MG 5
The most common reason the MG 5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 60.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 60.5% | Not working on dipped beam |
| Tyres | 48.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 9.0% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 8.3% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Brakes | 2.7% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.1% | Not functioning as intended |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Insecure |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 0.2% | Warning lamp indicates a system malfunction |
Buying a used MG 5: what to check
These checks follow the MG 5’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 88.4% down to 82.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 60.5% of failed MG 5 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. Tyres
Recorded in 48.1% of failed MG 5 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 9.0% of failed MG 5 MOTs.
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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 8.3% of failed MG 5 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 2.7% of failed MG 5 MOTs.
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.
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 TF — 74.3% pass rate
- MG MGF — 70.1% pass rate
- MG ZS Exclusive Vti-Tech — 91.7% pass rate
- MG HS Excite — 92.5% pass rate
- MG B — 84.9% pass rate
- MG GS — 81.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the MG 5?
- 92.7% of MG 5 MOT tests pass, based on 7,840 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the MG 5?
- The most common reason the MG 5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 60.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
- What are the common problems with the MG 5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the MG 5 are lights and electrics; tyres; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used MG 5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; windscreen and wipers; brakes. 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 5'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.