Used car guide

2002 MG ZT-T petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol MG ZT-T first registered in 2002 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 240 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 240 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

240MOTs of 2002 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
45%had suspension flagged

Common 2002 MG ZT-T petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 MG ZT-T petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • Brakes
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 MG ZT-T petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an MG ZT-T?

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Other years

Every year of the MG ZT-T compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006107Suspension 42%
2005466Suspension 47%
2004859Brakes 42%
2003609Suspension 53%

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 ZT-T cars first registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score