Is the 2004 MG ZR reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MG ZRs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,170 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2004 MG ZR cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MG ZR?

The 2004 MG ZR has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 1,170 tests in 2026. This ranks 225 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year MG ZR is most reliable?

The 2005 MG ZR has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 74%.

MG ZR (2004)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 MG ZR?

The average mileage for a 2004 MG ZR is 83,591 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,170 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 8 points below average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific MG ZR

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

Petrol1796cc22 years old1,170 tests84k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this MG ZR

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MG brand average of 86%.

At 22 years old, 74% of MG ZRs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,170 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,591 miles.

Got a MG ZR you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars225th of 491(top 46%)

Rank among MG models138th of 155(top 89%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+2%(72% avg)

vs MG average-12%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,591

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 MG ZR has 83,591 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific MG ZR?

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

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2004 sits between the two at 74%.

MG ZR by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	76%	94	86,716 mi
2005	78%	784	81,869 mi
2004	74%	1,170	83,591 mi
2003	74%	902	87,431 mi
2002	78%	520	83,390 mi
2001	75%	158	88,751 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-1%

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-3%

BMW 3 SERIES

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+6%

HONDA JAZZ

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

-3%

Check a Specific Mg Zr

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 2004 MG ZR

The 2004 MG ZR is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 1,170 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 83,591 miles at 22 years old, MG ZR owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 MG ZR Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 MG ZR?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MG ZR Reliability Trend

The MG ZR has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 MG ZR

At 22 years old, the MG ZR 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 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 78%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 MG ZR's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 84k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2004 MG ZR stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MG ZR(2004)	74%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
FORD FOCUS(2006)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£330
HONDA JAZZ(2006)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£475

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.