Large family car · 2001–2021 cars
MG ZT reliability
The MG ZT fails 35.1% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,479 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a MG ZT before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 35.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,479
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the MG ZT ages
Each point is the share of MG ZTs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | MG ZT | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 37.8% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 37.3% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 36.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 35.2% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 30% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 39.1% | 41.4% |
By year
The best and worst MG ZT years
2004 cars come out best and 2003 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 308 | 38.6% | 4% fewer fails | 91,036 |
| 2005 ZT | 1,102 | 36.2% | 14% fewer fails | 95,829 |
| 2004 ZT | 1,976 | 31.6% | 21% fewer fails | 88,103 |
| 2003 ZT | 1,142 | 38.3% | 10% fewer fails | 96,488 |
| 2002 | 631 | 36% | 13% fewer fails | 90,611 |
| 2001 | 236 | 41.9% | 1% more fails | 94,583 |
Common problems
What fails most on a MG ZT
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 133% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.3%1% below avg
- Brakes13.9%11% above avg
- Lights and electrics12.7%36% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags6.4%133% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure5.6%34% below avg
- Tyres5%21% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%37% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%32% below avg
- Steering3.7%1% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 4.75% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.69% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.69% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.96% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.43% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.15% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 7
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.08% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.95% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a MG ZT's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy17.41%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.7%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.53%
- Suspension arm showing corrosion7.06%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion5.58%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.57%
Before you buy
What to check on a used MG ZT
- 1
Airbag warning lamp shows fault
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 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
- Petrol70%
- Diesel29.7%
- LPG0.3%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Blue, Grey, Silver, Red, Black
Average engine size: 2.6 litres.
Compare
How the MG ZT compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Stinger | 10.7% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Exeo | 33.4% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZT | 35.1% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Signum | 44% | about average for its age |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 42.6% | about average for its age |
| Peugeot 406 | 44.2% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS5 | 36.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all MG models.
Questions
MG ZT questions, answered
Is the MG ZT reliable?
On MOT results, the MG ZT is about average: it fails 35.1% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a MG ZT MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the MG ZT are airbag warning lamp shows fault (4.75% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.69% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.69% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.3% of its tests.
Which MG ZT year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2004 cars do best (21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2003 cars do worst (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a MG ZT 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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