MG 3 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,329 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific MG 3

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1498cc8 years old4,329 tests37k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

85% of MOT tests on MG 3s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 4,329 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 36,732 miles.

Got a MG 3 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models498th of 607(bottom 19%)

Rank among MG models90th of 155(bottom half)

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

vs 2018 models average-4%(89% avg)

vs MG average-1%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

36,732

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 MG 3 had 36,732 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific MG 3?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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 2018 scores 85%. 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

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-4%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-4%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

+2%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+1%

Check a Specific MG 3

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2018 MG 3

The 2018 MG 3 is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,329 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 2018 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 36,732 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MG 3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 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 2018 MG 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% 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 2018 MG 3

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 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(2018)	85%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£403
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003same
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£223

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 2018 MG 3

Is the 2018 MG 3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MOT tests on 2018 MG 3s ended in a pass, from 4,329 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.

How much does a 2018 MG 3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 MG 3?

85% of 4,329 MOT tests on the 2018 MG 3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 498th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (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 2018 MG 3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 MG 3 is 36,732 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.