CarCostCheck

MG ZS (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,982 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1500cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1500cc8 years old8,982 tests42k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1500cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

84% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 8 years old, 84% of MG ZSs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,982 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 41,978 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars559th of 649(top 86%)
Rank among MG models93th of 155(top 60%)
vs national average+2%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average-5%(89% avg)
vs MG average-2%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

41,978

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MG ZS has 41,978 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2018 sits between the two at 84%.

MG ZS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202183%14524,982 mi
202087%7,93027,667 mi
201986%14,08934,291 mi
201884%8,98241,978 mi
201784%65147,465 mi
200677%10280,223 mi
200578%49691,088 mi
200475%64489,991 mi
200372%50986,996 mi
200271%46394,493 mi
200170%136102,556 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2018 MG ZS

The 2018 MG ZS is a small family car with a 1500cc petrol engine. 8,982 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 2018 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 41,978 miles at 8 years old, MG ZS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 MG ZS Fuel Costs

The 1500cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 MG ZS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MG ZS Reliability Trend

Newer MG ZSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 MG ZS

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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 87%. With 8,982 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 MG ZS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 ZS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MG ZS(2018)84%£1137£195Grp 12-25£1737
VAUXHALL CORSA(2016)81%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£165
FORD FOCUS(2016)87%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£60
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)86%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550-£187
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2016)84%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390-£347

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.

Related Mg Models

Explore other Mg cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mg Zs.

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