MG 3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG 3 car check
Is the MG 3 reliable? We analysed 143,683 real MOT tests across 20,731 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG 3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG 3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG 3.
MG 3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG 3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG 3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG 3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG 3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on MG 3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
MG 3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG 3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG 3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG 3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 356 | 82.9% | 14,328 | 18,340 | 25,135 |
| 2022 | 2,042 | 85.6% | 15,354 | 21,935 | 30,238 |
| 2021 | 2,022 | 84.6% | 14,946 | 22,262 | 30,881 |
| 2020 | 6,855 | 84.2% | 14,780 | 22,107 | 31,763 |
| 2019 | 18,861 | 83.5% | 15,974 | 24,323 | 35,658 |
| 2018 | 16,388 | 81.7% | 18,418 | 28,196 | 41,446 |
| 2017 | 22,736 | 81.5% | 20,099 | 32,016 | 47,199 |
| 2016 | 27,608 | 80.9% | 21,801 | 34,138 | 49,972 |
| 2015 | 24,843 | 79.3% | 23,318 | 36,144 | 53,036 |
| 2014 | 19,005 | 79.0% | 24,351 | 38,744 | 57,213 |
| 2013 | 1,755 | 78.0% | 26,260 | 39,874 | 59,064 |
How Long Does a MG 3 Last?
Based on 20,731 MG 3 vehicles on UK roads.
MG 3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG 3 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 3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.6% MOT pass rate from 2,042 tests
78.0% MOT pass rate from 1,755 tests
The best year to buy a used MG 3 is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 2,042 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG 3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG 3 THIS CAR | 81.1% | 143,683 | 31,239 mi | 13 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 |
| Ssangyong Rexton | 68.5% | 87,133 | 63,291 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG 3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG 3 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 3Should you buy a used MG 3?
The MG 3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.1% across 143,683 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a MG 3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical MG 3 owner drives around 4,878 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 3 models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. 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.