MG ZS (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 145 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,555
£130/month
MOT Pass Rate
83%
Good
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Solid Option
83% pass rate, £1555/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific MG ZS
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~50 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.
Get an insurance quote for this MG ZS
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 5 years old, 83% of MG ZSs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 145 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 24,982 miles.
Got a MG ZS you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
24,982
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 MG ZS has 24,982 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific MG ZS?
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 2020 model with a 87% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2021 sits between the two at 83%.
MG ZS by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Mg Zs
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 2021 MG ZS
The 2021 MG ZS is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 145 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 95% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 24,982 miles at 5 years old, MG ZS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 MG ZS?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,555 (£130/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.
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
Based on the 2021 MG ZS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
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 2021 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(2021) | 83% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1555 |
| FORD FIESTA(2019) | 91% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£155 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£27 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£177 |
| MINI COOPER(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£27 |
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.
MG ZS EXCLUSIVE EV
2020 · 0cc Electric
MG ZS EXCLUSIVE VTI-TECH
2021 · 1498cc Petrol
MG 3
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
FORD FIESTA
2019 · 998cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
VAUXHALL CORSA
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mg Zs.
Cheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in the UK: A Complete Cost Breakdown
11 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific MG ZS
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a MG ZS? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data