MG 3 MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 10 model years from 31,882 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

85%

Total Tests

31,882

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (92%)

Years Covered

About the MG 3

The MG 3 was MOT tested 31,882 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 10 model years (2013 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 85%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 92% from 1,100 tests. The 2014 model has the lowest at 79%. The 13 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer MG 3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2013) averages 60,551 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 19,942 miles.

What the MG 3 fails its MOT on most

Of 5,396 MOT tests on the MG 3 that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:

31%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 28%
28%
Tyres
Same age: 29%
24%
Brakes
Same age: 19%

MG 3 reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the MG 3?

vs average of all models+3% (82% avg)

vs MG brand average-1% (86% avg)

Best to worst year spread13 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

MG 3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	91%	141	19,942 mi
2021	92%	1,100	19,633 mi
2020	90%	2,869	24,046 mi
2019	88%	6,117	29,253 mi
2018	85%	4,329	36,732 mi
2017	80%	5,135	43,780 mi
2016	82%	5,218	48,631 mi
2015	79%	4,075	53,548 mi
2014	79%	2,698	57,573 mi
2013	86%	200	60,551 mi

Questions about the MG 3

Is the MG 3 reliable?

Across its 10 model years in our data (2013 to 2022), the MG 3 averages an 85% MOT pass rate, from 31,882 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 92%.

Which year MG 3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 MG 3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 79%, a 13 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.