MG Mgb Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Mgb car check
Is the MG Mgb reliable? We analysed 26,893 real MOT tests across 2,439 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Mgb? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Mgb is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, stop lamp not working and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Mgb.
MG Mgb Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Mgb. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Mgb MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Mgb to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Mgb Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Mgb fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Mgb Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Mgb owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Mgb MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Mgb year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 95 | 76.8% | 4,758 | 11,124 | 20,490 |
| 2000 | 108 | 82.4% | 25,606 | 50,544 | 83,051 |
| 1999 | 56 | 91.1% | 55,584 | 75,314 | 76,822 |
| 1998 | 165 | 83.6% | 9,228 | 33,350 | 39,464 |
| 1997 | 84 | 81.0% | 11,745 | 32,381 | 64,178 |
| 1996 | 137 | 77.4% | 19,173 | 47,040 | 80,685 |
| 1993 | 78 | 83.3% | 4,774 | 9,736 | 49,595 |
| 1992 | 145 | 82.8% | 17,511 | 55,027 | 85,732 |
| 1991 | 137 | 75.2% | 3,693 | 10,863 | 68,504 |
| 1990 | 135 | 74.8% | 10,695 | 22,322 | 74,060 |
| 1984 | 80 | 75.0% | 20,998 | 49,608 | 62,031 |
| 1983 | 85 | 71.8% | 6,960 | 17,630 | 25,405 |
| 1982 | 139 | 70.5% | 23,858 | 69,386 | 78,026 |
| 1981 | 997 | 76.6% | 21,612 | 46,000 | 76,649 |
| 1980 | 886 | 73.1% | 16,388 | 50,985 | 71,306 |
| 1979 | 1,109 | 72.6% | 23,269 | 50,857 | 71,405 |
| 1978 | 1,805 | 72.7% | 17,730 | 44,156 | 78,632 |
| 1977 | 1,196 | 75.4% | 20,837 | 54,393 | 76,517 |
| 1976 | 657 | 73.8% | 15,670 | 29,900 | 59,601 |
| 1975 | 1,107 | 75.3% | 17,257 | 44,924 | 73,339 |
How Long Does a MG Mgb Last?
Based on 2,439 MG Mgb vehicles on UK roads.
MG Mgb Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Mgb 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 Mgb
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.1% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
70.5% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Mgb is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.1% across 56 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Mgb Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Mgb THIS CAR | 77.2% | 26,893 | 36,261 mi | 63 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 |
| Ducati Monster | 86.2% | 11,287 | 11,222 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Mgb outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Mgb 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 MgbShould you buy a used MG Mgb?
The MG Mgb has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.2% across 26,893 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 Mgb are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (736 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (551), and brake binding (549). 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 Mgb owner drives around 382 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 Mgb models stay on UK roads for around 63 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.