2020 MG HS petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol MG HS first registered in 2020 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 8,629 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 MG HS petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 MG HS petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.
- Brake discs2.5× usualMG HS18.7% All 2020 cars7.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Tread depth: 6.8% here, against 14.9% of all 2020 cars.
Common 2020 MG HS petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 MG HS petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes22% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres19% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Lights and electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks2% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Known faults on the 2020 MG HS petrol
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Infotainment crashes and electronic glitches
Owners report frequent electronic glitches, mainly the infotainment crashing, plus central locking failures and battery drain. MG came last of 30 makers in What Car?'s survey, with long waits for diagnosis.
At the viewing: Use the screen, lock and unlock several times, and check the warranty status.
- All engines
Noisy clutch release bearing and rear disc wear
Noisy clutch release bearings and early wear of the rear brake discs are reported.
At the viewing: Listen when pressing the clutch, and look at the rear discs.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 MG HS petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- What has been fixed under warranty?
- Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2020 MG HS petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at an MG HS?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the MG HS compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 2,381 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 19,853 | Brakes 22% |
| 2021 | 16,565 | Brakes 21% |
| 2019 | 288 | Brakes 26% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of MG HS cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score