2021 MG HS petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 MG HS petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 MG HS petrol than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Brake discs3× usual
  MG HS

  18.4% All 2021 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At 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.

• Number plates2.5× usual
  MG HS

  2% All 2021 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2021 MG HS petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 MG HS petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  21% 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.

• Tyres
  16% 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 electrics
  4% 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 seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  3% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Known faults on the 2021 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.

• Infotainment crashes and electronic glitches

  All engines

  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.

  Source: What Car?: used MG HS (2019-2024) reliability

• Noisy clutch release bearing and rear disc wear

  All engines

  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.

  Source: What Car?: used MG HS (2019-2024) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 MG HS petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. What has been fixed under warranty?
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2021 MG HS petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2021 MG HS petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?