2004 MG ZT petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol MG ZT first registered in 2004 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 1,034 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 2004 MG ZT petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 MG ZT petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.
- Airbag warning light2.2× usualMG ZT3.8% All 2004 cars1.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Engine oil leaks: 4.3% here, against 14.6% of all 2004 cars. Headlights: 5% here, against 13.2% of all 2004 cars.
Common 2004 MG ZT petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2004 MG ZT petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes35% 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.
- Suspension34% 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.
- Lights and electrics24% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- 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.
- Exhaust and emissions8% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 MG ZT petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2004 MG ZT petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at an MG ZT?
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 ZT compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | – | Too few tests |
| 2006 | 259 | Suspension 38% |
| 2005 | 913 | Suspension 44% |
| 2003 | 908 | Suspension 42% |
| 2002 | 476 | Suspension 43% |
| 2001 | 203 | Suspension 45% |
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 cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score