MG Midget 1500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Midget 1500 car check
Is the MG Midget 1500 reliable? We analysed 40,016 real MOT tests across 5,009 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Midget 1500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Midget 1500 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Midget 1500.
MG Midget 1500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Midget 1500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Midget 1500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Midget 1500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Midget 1500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Midget 1500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Midget 1500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Midget 1500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Midget 1500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Midget 1500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 62 | 67.7% | 8,326 | 34,091 | 55,846 |
| 1982 | 57 | 73.7% | 18,768 | 27,595 | 91,677 |
| 1981 | 213 | 72.8% | 41,197 | 57,475 | 85,209 |
| 1980 | 4,901 | 70.7% | 26,858 | 55,392 | 77,839 |
| 1979 | 8,766 | 71.3% | 23,885 | 58,797 | 80,630 |
| 1978 | 8,919 | 70.2% | 25,630 | 60,768 | 81,210 |
| 1977 | 7,871 | 71.5% | 21,032 | 57,996 | 80,915 |
| 1976 | 4,927 | 70.7% | 19,566 | 61,266 | 81,246 |
| 1975 | 3,730 | 70.0% | 15,314 | 51,064 | 82,810 |
| 1974 | 202 | 70.8% | 16,354 | 57,731 | 75,502 |
How Long Does a MG Midget 1500 Last?
Based on 5,009 MG Midget 1500 vehicles on UK roads.
MG Midget 1500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Midget 1500 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 1500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.7% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
67.7% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Midget 1500 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.7% across 57 tests. The 1983 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.7% — 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 1500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Midget 1500 THIS CAR | 70.9% | 40,016 | 58,218 mi | 51 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 |
| BMW 135 | 85.1% | 20,607 | 55,804 mi | 19 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG Midget 1500 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Midget 1500 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 Midget 1500Should you buy a used MG Midget 1500?
The MG Midget 1500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.9% across 40,016 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the MG Midget 1500 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,890 recorded failures), suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,878), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (1,859). 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 1500 owner drives around 297 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 1500 models stay on UK roads for around 51 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.