MG GS MOT pass rate and common problems
81.3% of 4,407 MG GS MOT tests pass.
At 81.3%, the GS passes slightly less often than the average across all MG models (84.6%).
The MG GS has a pass rate of 81.3%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this MG GS?
This is the average across every MG GS 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: 82.6% at 3–6 years versus 80.7% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 82.6% | 1,577 | 40,642 miles |
| 6–10 years | 80.7% | 2,830 | 51,685 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the MG GS
The most common reason the MG GS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 47.2% | Too low |
| Brakes | 44.8% | Warning lamp indicates an abs fault |
| Tyres | 30.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 10.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.1% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Suspension | 2.8% | Fractured or broken |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | Inscription illegible |
| Steering | 0.5% | Inoperative and steering adversely affected |
Buying a used MG GS: what to check
These checks follow the MG GS’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 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 82.5% down to 76.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 47.2% of failed MG GS 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 44.8% of failed MG GS 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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 30.9% of failed MG GS 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.5% of failed MG GS 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. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 9.1% of failed MG GS MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 5 — 92.7% pass rate
- MG HS Excite — 92.5% pass rate
- MG B — 84.9% pass rate
- MG ZS Excite Vti-Tech — 89.0% pass rate
- MG ZS Excite — 89.5% pass rate
- MG 5 Excite — 89.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the MG GS?
- 81.3% of MG GS MOT tests pass, based on 4,407 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the MG GS?
- The most common reason the MG GS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
- What are the common problems with the MG GS?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the MG GS are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used MG GS?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 GS'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.