Used car guide · 2001–2026

MG ZS common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used MG ZS, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 134,140 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 MG ZS

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 ZS as a whole.

11,587registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
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.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with an MG ZS?

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.

Common MG ZS 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

  • Braking performance

    up to 7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brake discs

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Electric

  • Brake discs

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 7.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 14.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022 and 2023.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

MG ZS MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 MG ZS did best (63% passed first time, 6 points above all 2005 cars) and the 2017 did worst (71%, 9 points below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202387%92% -52,122
202286%89% -319,653
202188%87% +129,975
202084%87% -337,041
201979%85% -625,637
201877%83% -615,006
201771%80% -91,046
200666%56% +10130 (small sample)
200563%57% +6756
200461%57% +41,078
200357%57% +0826
200261%58% +3631
200159%60% -1239 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying an MG ZS

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

  1. Has the steering column been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an MG ZS?

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