MG 3 (2015)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,075 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1498cc11 years old4,075 tests54k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the MG brand average of 86%.

79% of MOT tests on MG 3s from 2015 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 9 years old. That's based on 4,075 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 53,548 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2015 models421st of 515(bottom 19%)

Rank among MG models111th of 155(bottom half)

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

vs 2015 models average-4%(83% avg)

vs MG average-7%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

53,548

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2015 MG 3 had 53,548 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 79%. The 2015 scores 79%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MG 3 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-1%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

-1%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+7%

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About the 2015 MG 3

The 2015 MG 3 is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,075 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 19% of 2015 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 53,548 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MG 3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2015 MG 3 Fuel Costs

The 1498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2015 MG 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MG 3 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.

Buying a Used 2015 MG 3

At 11 years old, the MG 3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2015 MG 3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
MG 3(2015)	79%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£628
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£448

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2015 MG 3

Is the 2015 MG 3 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MOT tests on 2015 MG 3s ended in a pass, from 4,075 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2015 MG 3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2015 MG 3?

79% of 4,075 MOT tests on the 2015 MG 3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 421st of 515 models first registered in 2015 (bottom 19%).

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% and the 2014 the lowest at 79%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2015 MG 3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2015 MG 3 is 53,548 miles, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.