MG HS MOT pass rate and common problems
93.9% of 15,528 MG HS MOT tests pass.
The HS passes its MOT 93.9% of the time — well above the average across all MG models, which sits at 84.6%.
The MG HS passes its MOT 93.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this MG HS?
This is the average across every MG HS 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: 93.9% at 0–3 years versus 93.9% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.9% | 8,603 | 24,128 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.9% | 6,925 | 27,896 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 HS
The most common reason the MG HS fails its MOT is brakes — present in 37.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 37.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 26.0% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 24.3% | Too high |
| Visibility | 17.3% | Not working |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.7% | Inscription illegible |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | Not functioning as intended |
| Suspension | 1.8% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Road Wheels | 0.8% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used MG HS: what to check
These checks follow the MG HS’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 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.3% down to 90.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 37.0% of failed MG HS 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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 26.0% of failed MG HS 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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 24.3% of failed MG HS 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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.3% of failed MG HS 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. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 5.7% of failed MG HS MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
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 3 — 81.4% 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 HS?
- 93.9% of MG HS MOT tests pass, based on 15,528 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the MG HS?
- The most common reason the MG HS fails its MOT is brakes — present in 37.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the MG HS?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the MG HS are brakes; tyres; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used MG HS?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; number plates and vin. 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 HS'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.