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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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
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
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?
Mileage Analysis
41,978
Average miles
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
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 riskShock 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 riskAlways 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.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG ZS(2018) | 84% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1737 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2016) | 81% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1572-£165 |
| FORD FOCUS(2016) | 87% | £1137 | £135 | Grp 12-25 | £1677-£60 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2017) | 86% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£187 |
| VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2016) | 84% | £955 | £30 | Grp 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.
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MG 3
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2016 · 1398cc Petrol
FORD FOCUS
2016 · 1596cc Petrol
NISSAN QASHQAI
2017 · 1200cc Petrol
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