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MG 5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2021-present1 named generationHatchbackELECTRICITY
At a glance

MG 5 built around 2022: more fails still not passed 3 days later

MG 5 models built around 2022 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check an MG 5 by number plate

Key figure

3.1% of MOT tests on MG 5 models built around 2022 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 1.5%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MG 5 models built around 2022 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The MG 5's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 5's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

Mk1 (EV) (2021-present)

Average
ELECTRICITY

12.1% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 3,497 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

ELECTRICITY
254 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the MG 5.

See every build year for the MG 5

By age

MG 5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every MG 5 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,76914.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,61712.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1345.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 3 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 3-year-old MG 5 models

These issues come from 3-year-old MG 5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    21.2%
    Advisory: 2,888Fail: 231 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    9.4%
    Advisory: 876Fail: 216 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    6.0%
    Advisory: 782Fail: 74 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.7%
    Advisory: 565Fail: 127 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.1%
    Advisory: 430Fail: 2 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,769 MOT tests on 3-year-old MG 5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 3-year-old MG 5 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres41%
  2. Lighting + Tyres23%
  3. Other + Tyres19%
  4. Lighting + Suspension17%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,492 MOT tests on MG 5 cars built around 2022 (3 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the MG 5.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

Both MG 5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED WHEN THE CAR IS REGENERATIVELY BRAKING OVER 1.3m/s2
  • Vehicle roof bars were previously recorded as being non-load bearing

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%

    Lower fail rate: 7.0%, against 14.3% for the MG 5, both built around 2022.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,689 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 9.0%, against 14.3% for the MG 5, both built around 2022.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    35,996 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  3. 3

    Volkswagen E-Up

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 14.3% for the MG 5, both built around 2022.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,385 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  4. 4

    Mazda 2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.4%
    Dangerous
    2.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 14.3% for the MG 5, both built around 2022.

    4,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2022 (3 years old), the MG 5 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 8,769 3-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every MG 5 ever sold: 12,520 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2022 (3 years old): 8,769 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.