MG 3 MOT Failure Rate

Q: What is the MOT failure rate for a MG 3?

The MG 3 has an overall MOT failure rate of 21.5%, based on 72,418 MOT tests in the DVSA database. This is below the UK average of 28%.

Q: What are the most common MOT failures on a MG 3?

The most common MOT failure areas for the MG 3 are: Tyres (3.2% risk), Lamps & Electrics (3.1% risk), Brakes (2.5% risk). These are based on weighted component failure rates across all age and mileage bands.

Q: Is the MG 3 reliable for MOT?

The MG 3 has a 21.5% MOT failure rate, which is close to the UK average of 28%.

Q: How does the MG 3 MOT failure rate change with age?

The MG 3 MOT failure rate increases with vehicle age. Newer models typically have lower failure rates, while vehicles over 10 years old see significantly higher rates, often above 35%. Regular maintenance becomes more important as your vehicle ages.

Q: How can I reduce the risk of my MG 3 failing its MOT?

Check all lights and bulbs, inspect tyre tread depth, test windscreen washers and wipers, listen for brake or suspension noises, and consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. Use AutoSafe's free prediction tool for a personalised risk assessment.

21.5%

MOT failure rate from 72,418 tests

6.5pp below the UK average (28%)

Key Findings for the MG 3

Overall MOT failure rate: 21.5% — 6.5pp below the UK average (28%)
Highest-risk component: Tyres (3.2% failure risk)
Most reliable age group: 0-2 years (13.8% failure rate)
Highest-risk age group: 6-10 years (27.6% failure rate)
Based on 72,418 official DVSA MOT tests

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the MG 3 MOT failure rate changes with age:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
0-2 years	13.8%	8,942	Lamps & Electrics
3-5 years	18.4%	34,765	Tyres
6-10 years	27.6%	28,675	Brakes

Component Risk Breakdown

Which parts of the MG 3 are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Tyres 3.2%

Lamps & Electrics 3.1%

Brakes 2.5%

Suspension 2.0%

Visibility 2.0%

Steering 0.5%

Body & Chassis 0.3%

MG 3 by Age Group

See detailed MOT failure data for each age group:

What MG 3 Owners Should Watch For

Based on the MOT test data for the MG 3, here are the key areas to pay attention to before your MOT:

Tyres (3.2% failure risk) — Ensure all tyres have at least 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters. Check for sidewall damage, bulges, and uneven wear.
Lamps & Electrics (3.1% failure risk) — Walk around the car and check every bulb — headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and number plate lights. This is one of the cheapest and easiest fixes.
Brakes (2.5% failure risk) — Check brake pad thickness, disc condition, and handbrake operation. Listen for grinding or squealing when braking.

Many of these issues are inexpensive to fix when caught early. A pre-MOT inspection at a local garage typically costs £20–£40 and can save you the cost of a retest (£15–£30) plus the inconvenience of a failed MOT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOT failure rate for a MG 3?

The MG 3 has an overall MOT failure rate of 21.5%, based on 72,418 MOT tests recorded in the DVSA database. This is below the UK national average of approximately 28%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a MG 3?

The most common areas for MOT failure on a MG 3 are:

Tyres — 3.2% failure risk
Lamps & Electrics — 3.1% failure risk
Brakes — 2.5% failure risk

These component risks are weighted averages across all age and mileage bands in the dataset.

Is the MG 3 reliable for MOT?

The MG 3 has a 21.5% failure rate, which is close to the UK average of 28%. It's neither particularly unreliable nor exceptionally reliable for MOT purposes.

How does the MG 3 MOT failure rate change with age?

The failure rate increases significantly with vehicle age. Newer MG 3 models (0-2 years) have a relatively low 13.8% failure rate. This pattern is common across most vehicle models and reflects increased wear on mechanical components over time.

How can I reduce the risk of my MG 3 failing its MOT?

The most effective steps are: (1) Check all lights and bulbs before your test — lighting failures are the most common and cheapest to fix. (2) Inspect tyre tread depth and condition. (3) Test your windscreen washers and wipers. (4) Listen for unusual noises from brakes or suspension. (5) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. You can also use our free prediction tool to get a personalised risk breakdown for your specific vehicle.

Where can I check the MOT history of a MG 3?

You can check any vehicle's full MOT history for free on the official DVSA service. This shows all previous test results, advisory items, and failure reasons. AutoSafe goes further by analysing this data with AI to predict your future MOT outcome.

Check Your Specific MG 3

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Other MG Models

Compare the MG 3 MOT failure rate against other MG models:

Similar Failure Rate Models

These models from other manufacturers have a similar MOT failure rate to the MG 3:

Related Guides

Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component risks represent the probability of failure in each specific area. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

Trust signals: Risk model: CatBoost v55 • Data source: DVSA Open Data (OGL v3) • Last updated: 2026-03-08 • Limitation: population averages; individual vehicle condition, service history and mileage may vary.

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