MG ZS MOT pass rate and common problems
86.8% of 51,330 MG ZS MOT tests pass.
The ZS has a pass rate of 86.8%, a little higher than the average across all MG models (84.6%).
The MG ZS passes its MOT 86.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this MG ZS?
This is the average across every MG ZS 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 drops sharply with age: the MG ZS tested at 0–3 years pass 92.6% of the time, compared with just 68.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.6% | 9,467 | 24,758 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.9% | 37,059 | 32,382 miles |
| 6–10 years | 79.7% | 2,972 | 44,851 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 68.3% | 1,830 | 89,689 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the MG ZS
The most common reason the MG ZS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 40.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.2% | Not working on dipped beam |
| Brakes | 37.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 28.2% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 12.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 10.5% | Fractured or broken |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Steering | 2.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used MG ZS: what to check
These checks follow the MG ZS’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 ZS comes between 6–10 years and 15+ years old, from 79.7% to 68.3%. 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: 91.9% down to 83.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 40.2% of failed MG ZS MOTs. 18.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
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 37.9% of failed MG ZS MOTs. 20.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.0% 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 28.2% of failed MG ZS 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 12.4% of failed MG ZS MOTs. 4.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.9% 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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 10.5% of failed MG ZS MOTs. 18.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.6% 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.
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 3 — 81.4% 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 ZS?
- 86.8% of MG ZS MOT tests pass, based on 51,330 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the MG ZS?
- The most common reason the MG ZS fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 40.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working on dipped beam".
- What are the common problems with the MG ZS?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the MG ZS are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres. 18.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.7% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used MG ZS?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers; suspension. 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 ZS'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.