MG ZS (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 145 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol999cc5 years old145 tests25k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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

83% 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.

83% of MOT tests on MG ZSs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 145 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 24,982 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models3180th of 3,336(bottom 5%)

Rank among MG models99th of 155(bottom half)

vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average-9%(92% avg)

vs MG average-3%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

24,982

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 MG ZS had 24,982 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2021 scores 83%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

MG ZS by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	83%	145	24,982 mi
2020	87%	7,930	27,667 mi
2019	86%	14,089	34,291 mi
2018	84%	8,982	41,978 mi
2017	84%	651	47,465 mi
2006	77%	102	80,223 mi
2005	78%	496	91,088 mi
2004	75%	644	89,991 mi
2003	72%	509	86,996 mi
2002	71%	463	94,493 mi
2001	70%	136	102,556 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

+8%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+9%

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

+5%

MINI Cooper

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+9%

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About the 2021 MG ZS

The 2021 MG ZS is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 145 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 5% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 24,982 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, MG ZS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 MG ZS Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2021 MG ZS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MG ZS Reliability Trend

Newer MG ZSs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 MG ZS

At 5 years old, the MG ZS offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 87%.

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2021 MG ZS 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 ZS(2021)	83%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£150
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£73
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£223
MINI Cooper(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£73

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 2021 MG ZS

Is the 2021 MG ZS reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 2021 MG ZSs ended in a pass, from 145 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 MG ZS cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 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 2021 MG ZS?

83% of 145 MOT tests on the 2021 MG ZS ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 3180th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 5%).

Which year MG ZS has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 MG ZS has the highest MOT pass rate at 87% and the 2001 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 MG ZS?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 MG ZS is 24,982 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.