MG MGA MOT Failure Rate

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

The MG MGA has an overall MOT failure rate of 12.0%, based on 325 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 MGA?

The most common MOT failure areas for the MG MGA are: Lamps & Electrics (2.5% risk), Brakes (2.3% risk), Body & Chassis (1.3% risk). These are based on weighted component failure rates across all age and mileage bands.

Q: Is the MG MGA reliable for MOT?

Yes, the MG MGA is more reliable than average for MOT, with a failure rate of 12.0% compared to the UK average of 28%.

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

The MG MGA 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 MGA 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.

12.0%

MOT failure rate from 325 tests

16.0pp below the UK average (28%)

Key Findings for the MG MGA

Overall MOT failure rate: 12.0% — 16.0pp below the UK average (28%)
Highest-risk component: Lamps & Electrics (2.5% failure risk)
Most reliable age group: 15+ years (11.9% failure rate)
Highest-risk age group: 15+ years (11.9% failure rate)
Based on 325 official DVSA MOT tests

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the MG MGA MOT failure rate changes with age:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
15+ years	11.9%	295	Lamps & Electrics

Component Risk Breakdown

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

Lamps & Electrics 2.5%

Brakes 2.3%

Body & Chassis 1.3%

Visibility 1.2%

Suspension 1.1%

Steering 0.8%

Tyres 0.4%

MG MGA by Age Group

See detailed MOT failure data for each age group:

What MG MGA Owners Should Watch For

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

Lamps & Electrics (2.5% 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 (2.3% failure risk) — Check brake pad thickness, disc condition, and handbrake operation. Listen for grinding or squealing when braking.
Body & Chassis (1.3% failure risk) — Inspect the underside and sills for rust holes, particularly around structural mounting points. Corrosion that weakens the structure within 30cm of a mounting point is an automatic fail.

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 MGA?

The MG MGA has an overall MOT failure rate of 12.0%, based on 325 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 MGA?

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

Lamps & Electrics — 2.5% failure risk
Brakes — 2.3% failure risk
Body & Chassis — 1.3% failure risk

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

Is the MG MGA reliable for MOT?

Yes, the MG MGA performs better than average in MOT tests. Its 12.0% failure rate is well below the UK average of 28%, making it one of the more reliable options.

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

We have limited age-band data for this model. In general, MOT failure rates increase steadily with vehicle age as components wear. Vehicles over 10 years old typically have failure rates above 35%.

How can I reduce the risk of my MG MGA 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 MGA?

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.

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Other MG Models

Compare the MG MGA 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 MGA:

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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