MG Mgb Roadster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Mgb Roadster car check
Is the MG Mgb Roadster reliable? We analysed 1,696 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Mgb Roadster? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Mgb Roadster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Mgb Roadster.
MG Mgb Roadster Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Mgb Roadster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Mgb Roadster MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Mgb Roadster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Mgb Roadster Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Mgb Roadster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Mgb Roadster Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Mgb Roadster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Mgb Roadster MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Mgb Roadster year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 56 | 62.5% | 7,833 | 73,746 | 81,457 |
| 1979 | 70 | 70.0% | 59,092 | 63,277 | 77,194 |
| 1978 | 67 | 73.1% | 29,313 | 42,495 | 50,012 |
| 1977 | 102 | 75.5% | 6,603 | 80,540 | 90,321 |
| 1973 | 99 | 78.8% | 5,302 | 52,398 | 82,439 |
| 1972 | 232 | 79.7% | 15,829 | 41,962 | 72,628 |
| 1971 | 165 | 73.9% | 15,997 | 47,103 | 58,255 |
| 1970 | 71 | 64.8% | 10,959 | 31,491 | 40,328 |
| 1969 | 132 | 86.4% | 21,171 | 47,168 | 68,110 |
| 1968 | 88 | 80.7% | 22,829 | 27,746 | 40,319 |
| 1967 | 96 | 82.3% | 16,844 | 19,444 | 30,025 |
| 1966 | 86 | 93.0% | 33,847 | 48,604 | 54,756 |
| 1964 | 79 | 86.1% | 3,578 | 9,362 | 96,412 |
How Long Does a MG Mgb Roadster Last?
Based on 159 MG Mgb Roadster vehicles on UK roads.
MG Mgb Roadster Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Mgb Roadster 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 Roadster
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.0% MOT pass rate from 86 tests
62.5% MOT pass rate from 56 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Mgb Roadster is 1966, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.0% across 86 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — 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 Roadster Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Mgb Roadster THIS CAR | 78.9% | 1,696 | 42,265 mi | 62 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 |
| Land Rover Freelander SE TD4 | 81.3% | 686 | 124,698 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Mgb Roadster outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Mgb Roadster 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 Mgb RoadsterShould you buy a used MG Mgb Roadster?
The MG Mgb Roadster has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.9% across 1,696 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 Roadster are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (52 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (36), and stop lamp not working (33). 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 Roadster owner drives around 334 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 Roadster models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.