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MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 (1961-1979) reliability

At a glance

MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 models 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.

Looking at an MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 models 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 Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500
excellent reliability1961-1979ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 995 tests of Midget models registered 1961-1979.

About 1 in 12 Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 MOTs (8.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 995 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 7.1% and 10.6%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 MOTs (4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 995 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 3.0% and 5.4%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
99517.7%

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.

How the Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 compares

At each age below, see how the Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 10,563 tests across 9 MG models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMG average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
99517.7%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500.

  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 17.7% for the MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500, 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 17.7% for the MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500, 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 17.7% for the MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500, 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 Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 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.

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.

What has gone wrong on Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 776 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
34%
Steering
20%
Emissions
17%
Bodywork
13%

Wear items

Brakes
47%
Lighting
43%
Tyres
10%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 18% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 variants compared

Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 variants built before 2000

The fail rate for each Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • MIDGET16.0%776 tests
  • MIDGET 150023.8%214 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on MG Midgets of this age

This list covers every MG Midget built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at an MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the MG Midget Mk1–Mk3 / 1500 (1961-1979) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 995 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 995 MOT tests on MG Midgets first registered between 1961-1979. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.