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MG Bgt Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free MG Bgt car check

Is the MG Bgt reliable? We analysed 23,228 real MOT tests across 2,267 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 23,228 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.2%
Typical Mileage
42,553mi
Annual Mileage
436mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
60yrs

The MG Bgt is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Bgt.

MG Bgt Number Plates

Number plates registered to a MG Bgt. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

MG Bgt MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a MG Bgt to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.5%
1999
70.5%
1982
73.4%
1981
70.4%
1980
71.8%
1979
71.5%
1978
71.1%
1977
76.7%
1976
73.8%
1975
77%
1974
75.7%
1973
76.8%
1972
76.1%
1971
78.1%
1970
79.1%
1969
79.6%
1968
79.5%
1967
76.6%
1966
75.7%
1965
77.5%
1964

MG Bgt Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a MG Bgt fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 671
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 659
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 598
brake binding 597
Steering rack gaiter split 538
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 537
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 432
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 428
Stop lamp not working 419
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 412

MG Bgt Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical MG Bgt owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
128 mi/yr
Typical
436 mi/yr
Average
1,178 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,130 mi/yr

MG Bgt MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Bgt year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1999 68 76.5% 18,402 90,196 96,507
1982 105 70.5% 36,697 62,185 68,726
1981 1,218 73.4% 25,770 56,018 72,991
1980 1,276 70.4% 21,834 56,233 79,936
1979 1,364 71.8% 21,674 53,129 79,674
1978 2,084 71.5% 22,398 53,633 75,901
1977 988 71.1% 18,844 47,418 76,919
1976 704 76.7% 27,360 64,735 86,403
1975 1,535 73.8% 24,261 48,117 81,046
1974 1,904 77.0% 19,385 45,810 70,686
1973 2,114 75.7% 18,044 39,697 72,238
1972 3,237 76.8% 17,222 36,252 68,267
1971 2,230 76.1% 14,530 35,876 61,746
1970 1,100 78.1% 14,884 28,932 51,551
1969 775 79.1% 13,093 32,785 64,125
1968 676 79.6% 17,388 41,825 68,286
1967 844 79.5% 13,786 33,702 69,344
1966 444 76.6% 7,987 21,955 53,298
1965 70 75.7% 25,436 44,030 55,748
1964 80 77.5% 10,331 28,746 60,595

How Long Does a MG Bgt Last?

Based on 2,267 MG Bgt vehicles on UK roads.

Average
41.6 years
Median
42.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
60 years

MG Bgt Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all MG Bgt MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
42,553 mi
75th Percentile
72,028 mi
95th Percentile
94,893 mi
Max Recorded
967,795 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used MG Bgt

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1968

79.6% MOT pass rate from 676 tests

Year to avoid
1980

70.4% MOT pass rate from 1,276 tests

The best year to buy a used MG Bgt is 1968, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.6% across 676 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the MG Bgt Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
MG Bgt THIS CAR 75.2% 23,228 42,553 mi 60 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
Audi Q2 Technik 30 TFSI 90% 7,737 29,785 mi — yrs

Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Bgt outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used MG Bgt?

The MG Bgt has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.2% across 23,228 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 Bgt are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (671 recorded failures), suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (659), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (598). 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 Bgt owner drives around 436 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 Bgt models stay on UK roads for around 60 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.

MG Bgt — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MG Bgt reliable?
Based on 23,228 MOT tests, the MG Bgt has a 75.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a MG Bgt?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a MG Bgt do per year?
The typical MG Bgt does around 436 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a MG Bgt last?
Most MG Bgt models stay on UK roads for around 60 years based on our analysis of 2,267 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a MG Bgt?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a MG Bgt?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used MG Bgt is 1968 with a 79.6% pass rate across 676 tests.