MG Mga Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Mga car check
Is the MG Mga reliable? We analysed 3,780 real MOT tests across 451 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Mga? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Mga is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, brakes imbalanced across an axle and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Mga.
MG Mga Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Mga. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Mga MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Mga to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Mga Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Mga fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Mga Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Mga owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Mga MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Mga year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 51 | 76.5% | 8,405 | 17,679 | 42,096 |
| 2003 | 70 | 91.4% | 6,354 | 14,642 | 77,107 |
| 2002 | 56 | 92.9% | 20,429 | 23,646 | 25,280 |
| 2001 | 90 | 83.3% | 4,366 | 23,316 | 43,802 |
| 1995 | 62 | 85.5% | 9,837 | 12,016 | 24,741 |
| 1994 | 101 | 88.1% | 7,296 | 16,153 | 48,131 |
| 1992 | 96 | 85.4% | 7,426 | 17,877 | 33,554 |
| 1991 | 145 | 89.0% | 5,105 | 22,321 | 64,277 |
| 1990 | 93 | 74.2% | 9,241 | 17,204 | 44,077 |
| 1989 | 93 | 86.0% | 4,239 | 6,843 | 19,391 |
| 1962 | 269 | 81.8% | 12,064 | 42,517 | 67,768 |
| 1961 | 387 | 86.8% | 7,400 | 19,633 | 44,246 |
| 1960 | 805 | 87.2% | 9,449 | 27,343 | 61,112 |
| 1959 | 295 | 84.4% | 12,420 | 35,631 | 70,362 |
| 1958 | 168 | 80.4% | 7,130 | 20,636 | 29,622 |
| 1957 | 77 | 89.6% | 23,665 | 54,699 | 84,780 |
| 1956 | 97 | 94.8% | 8,630 | 15,002 | 38,483 |
How Long Does a MG Mga Last?
Based on 451 MG Mga vehicles on UK roads.
MG Mga Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Mga 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 Mga
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.8% MOT pass rate from 97 tests
74.2% MOT pass rate from 93 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Mga is 1956, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.8% across 97 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Mga Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Mga THIS CAR | 85.3% | 3,780 | 22,348 mi | 70 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 |
| Metrocab Metrocab Auto | 69.4% | 5,980 | 313,577 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Mga outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Mga 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 MgaShould you buy a used MG Mga?
The MG Mga has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.3% across 3,780 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 Mga are stop lamp not working (65 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle (58), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (46). 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 Mga owner drives around 340 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 Mga models stay on UK roads for around 70 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.