MG Magnette Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Magnette car check
Is the MG Magnette reliable? We analysed 4,082 real MOT tests across 613 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Magnette? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Magnette is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brakes imbalanced across an axle, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Magnette.
MG Magnette Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Magnette. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Magnette MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Magnette to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Magnette Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Magnette fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Magnette Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Magnette owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Magnette MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Magnette year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 120 | 82.5% | 28,816 | 44,135 | 89,054 |
| 1966 | 93 | 89.2% | 51,389 | 65,121 | 86,844 |
| 1965 | 81 | 81.5% | 60,338 | 80,304 | 85,302 |
| 1964 | 92 | 87.0% | 63,124 | 76,262 | 84,822 |
| 1962 | 53 | 81.1% | 26,702 | 32,855 | 41,960 |
| 1960 | 52 | 82.7% | 42,298 | 57,516 | 76,840 |
| 1959 | 169 | 79.9% | 8,844 | 24,294 | 59,564 |
| 1958 | 1,002 | 81.6% | 26,016 | 52,404 | 71,986 |
| 1957 | 686 | 81.9% | 29,166 | 50,804 | 70,214 |
| 1956 | 388 | 84.8% | 12,506 | 39,475 | 72,164 |
| 1955 | 516 | 78.7% | 23,164 | 56,678 | 77,938 |
| 1954 | 89 | 77.5% | 37,971 | 60,356 | 86,903 |
| 1935 | 51 | 94.1% | 3,279 | 19,560 | 42,287 |
| 1934 | 87 | 97.7% | 5,890 | 16,762 | 25,154 |
How Long Does a MG Magnette Last?
Based on 613 MG Magnette vehicles on UK roads.
MG Magnette Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Magnette 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 Magnette
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.7% MOT pass rate from 87 tests
77.5% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Magnette is 1934, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.7% across 87 tests. The 1954 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Magnette Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Magnette THIS CAR | 83.0% | 4,082 | 51,082 mi | 92 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 |
| Kawasaki Zx 1000 Gcf | 92% | 2,499 | 13,135 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Magnette outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Magnette 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 MagnetteShould you buy a used MG Magnette?
The MG Magnette has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.0% across 4,082 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 Magnette are brakes imbalanced across an axle (151 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (118), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (94). 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 Magnette owner drives around 415 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 Magnette models stay on UK roads for around 92 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.