MG RV8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG RV8 car check
Is the MG RV8 reliable? We analysed 13,900 real MOT tests across 933 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG RV8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG RV8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, brake recording little or no effort and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG RV8.
MG RV8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG RV8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG RV8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG RV8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG RV8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG RV8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG RV8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG RV8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG RV8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG RV8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 88 | 92.0% | 6,892 | 16,364 | 35,491 |
| 2004 | 91 | 85.7% | 14,346 | 24,821 | 37,142 |
| 2003 | 60 | 88.3% | 4,929 | 23,304 | 37,210 |
| 1999 | 124 | 88.7% | 13,791 | 27,121 | 38,156 |
| 1998 | 261 | 87.7% | 18,337 | 30,346 | 40,337 |
| 1997 | 375 | 89.1% | 7,258 | 12,724 | 25,144 |
| 1996 | 1,602 | 88.0% | 10,971 | 22,013 | 35,438 |
| 1995 | 4,692 | 85.9% | 9,543 | 21,857 | 39,095 |
| 1994 | 4,037 | 86.0% | 12,477 | 25,309 | 41,661 |
| 1993 | 2,090 | 85.6% | 20,031 | 33,638 | 53,755 |
| 1976 | 63 | 71.4% | 25,398 | 44,200 | 52,853 |
How Long Does a MG RV8 Last?
Based on 933 MG RV8 vehicles on UK roads.
MG RV8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG RV8 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 RV8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.0% MOT pass rate from 88 tests
71.4% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
The best year to buy a used MG RV8 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.0% across 88 tests. The 1976 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG RV8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG RV8 THIS CAR | 86.2% | 13,900 | 24,592 mi | 33 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 |
| Suzuki Gsf 1250 Sa L0 | 89% | 5,358 | 16,422 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the MG Zr (69.8% pass rate) and the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate), the MG RV8 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a MG RV8 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 RV8Should you buy a used MG RV8?
The MG RV8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.2% across 13,900 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 RV8 are steering rack gaiter split (153 recorded failures), brake recording little or no effort (117), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (113). 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 RV8 owner drives around 613 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 RV8 models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.