MG Midget Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Midget car check
Is the MG Midget reliable? We analysed 84,419 real MOT tests across 9,949 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Midget? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Midget is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Midget.
MG Midget Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Midget. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Midget MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Midget to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Midget Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Midget fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Midget Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Midget owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Midget MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Midget year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 63 | 76.2% | 13,123 | 48,078 | 61,903 |
| 2001 | 137 | 77.4% | 12,214 | 33,851 | 63,993 |
| 2000 | 70 | 88.6% | 8,330 | 36,066 | 44,745 |
| 1999 | 117 | 79.5% | 19,514 | 34,128 | 57,126 |
| 1998 | 104 | 79.8% | 12,334 | 16,375 | 54,793 |
| 1997 | 86 | 79.1% | 24,850 | 38,718 | 49,294 |
| 1996 | 128 | 82.0% | 24,287 | 38,538 | 77,863 |
| 1995 | 119 | 79.8% | 11,442 | 48,385 | 70,032 |
| 1994 | 100 | 77.0% | 12,345 | 31,464 | 36,972 |
| 1993 | 91 | 80.2% | 3,266 | 17,454 | 62,610 |
| 1992 | 129 | 81.4% | 13,671 | 35,903 | 72,504 |
| 1991 | 139 | 83.5% | 27,044 | 37,838 | 78,687 |
| 1990 | 101 | 76.2% | 6,547 | 10,800 | 64,407 |
| 1989 | 153 | 78.4% | 16,809 | 51,693 | 81,181 |
| 1988 | 105 | 82.9% | 10,399 | 26,145 | 71,097 |
| 1987 | 69 | 75.4% | 18,910 | 23,316 | 55,324 |
| 1986 | 92 | 78.3% | 10,289 | 29,790 | 83,932 |
| 1985 | 196 | 75.0% | 11,179 | 54,458 | 75,838 |
| 1984 | 102 | 84.3% | 7,536 | 30,670 | 70,124 |
| 1983 | 232 | 78.4% | 38,520 | 70,060 | 82,480 |
How Long Does a MG Midget Last?
Based on 9,949 MG Midget vehicles on UK roads.
MG Midget Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Midget 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 Midget
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.3% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
69.0% MOT pass rate from 184 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Midget is 1948, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.3% across 54 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Midget Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Midget THIS CAR | 76.7% | 84,419 | 38,237 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 |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 71.8% | 124,331 | 68,471 mi | 42 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Midget outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Midget 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 MidgetShould you buy a used MG Midget?
The MG Midget has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.7% across 84,419 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 Midget are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (2,648 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (2,284), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,239). 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 Midget owner drives around 286 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 Midget 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.