Family hatchback · 2011–2020 cars

MG 6 reliability

The MG 6 fails 38.2% of first MOT tests, 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,365 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 16/100#62 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a MG 6 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 38.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 38% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 7,365; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the MG 6 ages

Each point is the share of MG 6s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

MG 6All cars

MG 6 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	MG 6	All cars
6	30.7%	19.1%
7	34.1%	22.1%
8	34.8%	25.5%
9	38.5%	28.8%
10	42.4%	31.8%
11	45.6%	34.6%
12	42.6%	37.3%

By year

The best and worst MG 6 years

2012 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

MG 6 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2016 6	1,104	29.7%	43% more fails	52,532
2015 6	1,479	34.7%	40% more fails	65,693
2014 6	1,432	38.1%	46% more fails	62,391
2013	759	39.1%	35% more fails	67,425
2012 6	1,852	43%	32% more fails	73,628
2011	737	45%	33% more fails	72,111

Common problems

What fails most on a MG 6

Its weak spot is wheels: 275% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics17.7%76% above avg
Brakes14.1%141% above avg
Suspension12%42% above avg
Tyres10.5%64% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.2%24% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%31% above avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%11% below avg
Wheels1.3%275% above avg
Steering1.1%33% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.68% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.6% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.44% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.33% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Position lamp not working 2.97% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.7% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
7
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 2.47% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.28% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MG 6's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.3%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy15.95%
Brake disc pitted or scored11.47%
Brake pads wearing thin9.4%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.87%
Coil spring showing some corrosion5.42%

Before you buy

What to check on a used MG 6

1
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
3
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical MG 6 covers about 7,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol55.5%
Diesel44.4%
LPG0.1%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, White, Red, Silver

Average engine size: 1.8 litres.

Compare

How the MG 6 compares with its rivals

MG 6 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Alfa Romeo 147	44.7%	7% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Escort	38.9%	11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Rover 45	43.9%	13% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai Veloster	36.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
MG GS	21.3%	31% more MOT fails than the average car its age
MG 6	38.2%	38% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Chevrolet Lacetti	52.3%	39% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all MG models.

Questions

MG 6 questions, answered

Is the MG 6 reliable?

On MOT results, the MG 6 is well below average: it fails 38.2% of first MOT tests, 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 62 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a MG 6 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the MG 6 are rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (4.68% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.6% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (3.44% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17.7% of its tests.

Which MG 6 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (46% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a MG 6 do a year?

A typical MG 6 covers about 7,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a MG 6 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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