MG Zr Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free MG Zr car check
Is the MG Zr reliable? We analysed 651,705 real MOT tests across 53,026 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific MG Zr? Enter the reg for a free check:
The MG Zr is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, track rod end ball joint has excessive play and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used MG Zr.
MG Zr Number Plates
Number plates registered to a MG Zr. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
MG Zr MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a MG Zr to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
MG Zr Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a MG Zr fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
MG Zr Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical MG Zr owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
MG Zr MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the MG Zr year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 328 | 70.4% | 28,506 | 46,690 | 63,878 |
| 2006 | 8,269 | 70.0% | 33,640 | 50,825 | 71,407 |
| 2005 | 85,203 | 69.4% | 34,902 | 52,617 | 72,501 |
| 2004 | 176,003 | 69.6% | 36,566 | 54,500 | 75,075 |
| 2003 | 197,597 | 70.2% | 38,362 | 57,033 | 78,303 |
| 2002 | 139,712 | 69.9% | 43,394 | 61,756 | 82,386 |
| 2001 | 44,222 | 69.1% | 47,145 | 65,342 | 86,034 |
How Long Does a MG Zr Last?
Based on 53,026 MG Zr vehicles on UK roads.
MG Zr Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all MG Zr 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 Zr
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
70.4% MOT pass rate from 328 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 44,222 tests
The best year to buy a used MG Zr is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.4% across 328 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the MG Zr Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG Zr THIS CAR | 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 |
| MG ZS | 73.5% | 361,123 | 52,424 mi | 25 yrs |
| Mitsubishi Asx | 83.1% | 300,348 | 55,433 mi | 16 yrs |
Compared to the MG Mgf (66.7% pass rate) and the MG Tf (72.8% pass rate), the MG Zr sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a MG Zr 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 ZrShould you buy a used MG Zr?
The MG Zr has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.8% across 651,705 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the MG Zr are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (31,258 recorded failures), track rod end ball joint has excessive play (23,242), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (22,215). 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 Zr owner drives around 6,146 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 Zr models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.