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MG Midget reliability by build year

Coverage 1961-19791 named generationConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 1,109 MOT tests for MG Midgets built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

MG Midget built before 2000: about average at the MOT

MG Midgets built before 2000 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check an MG Midget by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on MG Midgets built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MG Midgets built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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

Over the last three years, fail rates fell, then rose again. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Midget's generation

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

Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500

Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 (1961-1979)

Excellent
PETROL

17.6% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,109 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

MG Midget fail rate by age

This chart combines every MG Midget 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
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,10917.6%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old MG Midgets

These issues come from 25+ year old MG Midgets, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    14.5%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 5 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    7.8%
    Advisory: 124Fail: 7 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    7.4%
    Advisory: 104Fail: 8 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    3.6%
    Advisory: 38Fail: 2 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Brakes uneven from one side to the other

    3.3%
    Advisory: 5Fail: 34 (87% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,109 MOT tests on 25+ year old MG Midgets, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old MG Midgets notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Other + Suspension26%
  2. Fuel & oil + Other24%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension21%
  4. Brakes + Other21%

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

Across 296 MOT tests on MG Midget cars built before 2000 (over 25 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 Midget.

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

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the MG Midget name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 17.6% for the MG Midget, both built before 2000.

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 17.6% for the MG Midget, both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Lotus Elise

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.8%

    Lower fail rate: 14.8%, against 17.6% for the MG Midget, both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,026 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    No clear edge over the MG Midget on these figures.

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

    5,842 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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 before 2000 (over 25 years old), the MG Midget across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,109 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every MG Midget ever sold: 1,109 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,109 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.