MG 1300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG 1300 car check
Is the MG 1300 reliable? We analysed 1,005 real MOT tests across 146 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG 1300? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG 1300 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG 1300.
MG 1300 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG 1300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG 1300 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG 1300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG 1300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG 1300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG 1300 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG 1300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG 1300 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG 1300 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 60 | 73.3% | 29,528 | 65,709 | 80,759 |
| 1973 | 97 | 85.6% | 20,746 | 31,519 | 39,446 |
| 1971 | 156 | 76.3% | 29,408 | 43,396 | 71,454 |
| 1970 | 147 | 77.6% | 44,694 | 56,780 | 63,214 |
| 1969 | 239 | 82.0% | 38,073 | 50,866 | 61,414 |
| 1968 | 208 | 80.8% | 35,619 | 58,196 | 69,384 |
How Long Does a MG 1300 Last?
Based on 146 MG 1300 vehicles on UK roads.
MG 1300 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG 1300 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used MG 1300
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.6% MOT pass rate from 97 tests
73.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used MG 1300 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 97 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG 1300 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG 1300 THIS CAR | 80.4% | 1,005 | 50,405 mi | 58 yrs |
| MG Zr | 69.8% | 651,705 | 57,257 mi | 25 yrs |
| MG Mgf | 66.7% | 546,238 | 62,469 mi | 31 yrs |
| MG Tf | 72.8% | 475,348 | 45,249 mi | 24 yrs |
| Can-am Outlander | 88.1% | 1,378 | 2,550 mi | 16 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG 1300 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG 1300 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific MG 1300Should you buy a used MG 1300?
The MG 1300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.4% across 1,005 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the MG 1300 are brake binding (27 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (25), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (23). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical MG 1300 owner drives around 292 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most MG 1300 models stay on UK roads for around 58 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.