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MG ZS reliability by build year

Coverage 2017-20222 named generationssmall SUVSUVPETROL / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

MG ZS built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

MG ZSes built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check an MG ZS by number plate

Key figure

22% of MOT tests on MG ZSes built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on MG ZSes built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The MG ZS'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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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

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

Find your ZS's generation

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

ZS Mk1

Mk1 (2017-2022)

Poor
PETROLELECTRICITY

21.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 3,990 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

30.8% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 26.2% and 35.8%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 351 MOT tests at this ageLimited 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 ZS.

See every build year for the MG ZS

Side-by-side

MG ZS generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk1 (2017-2022)
Poor
Poor21.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 3,990 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating30.8%likely between 26.2% and 35.8%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 351 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the ZS, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

MG ZS fail rate by age

This chart combines every MG ZS 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
21,53312.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
16,55613.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
13,65817.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
8,78019.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,99021.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
14822.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
12028.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
33331.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
35130.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
26834.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
19830.8%

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 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the MG ZS stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other MG models

2nd of 3

2nd lowest fail rate of 3 MG models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

83rd of 89

83rd lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

21.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old MG ZSes

These issues come from 7-year-old MG ZSes, 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

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

    21.9%
    Advisory: 1,267Fail: 98 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    21.8%
    Advisory: 1,216Fail: 40 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.3%
    Advisory: 589Fail: 96 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.0%
    Advisory: 395Fail: 87 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    8.1%
    Advisory: 530Fail: 8 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,990 MOT tests on 7-year-old MG ZSes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old MG ZSes 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. Brakes + Tyres39%
  2. Brakes + Suspension18%
  3. Suspension + Tyres17%
  4. Brakes + Other16%

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

Across 1,538 MOT tests on MG ZS cars built around 2018 (7 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 ZS.

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

1 recall in all

1 MG ZS recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Emissions do not meet regulatory requirements

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 21.9% for the MG ZS, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 21.9% for the MG ZS, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 21.9% for the MG ZS, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 21.9% for the MG ZS, both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 2018 (7 years old), the MG ZS across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 3 MG models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,990 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every MG ZS ever sold: 65,935 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,990 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.