MG HS common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used MG HS, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 48,204 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2026 MG HS
Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the MG HS as a whole.
What to check on a 2026 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with an MG HS?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2019–2024 · 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.
- Cars registered 2019–2024 · 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.
Common MG HS MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Brake discs
up to 5.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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.
Hybrid
Brake discs
up to 4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.
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.
Number plates
up to 3.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
MG HS MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 MG HS did best (90% passed first time, 3 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2023 did worst (91%, 1 point below all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying an MG HS
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 4.8× as often on the MG HS 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score