MG ZS Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the MG ZS fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 34,147 MOT tests across 11 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: small family car | Fuel: Petrol
85%
MG ZS pass rate
86%
MG average
82%
All-model average
The MG ZS has an average MOT pass rate of 85%, which is 1 point below the MG average and 3 points above the average across all models in our data. 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.
Check Your MG ZS's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the MG ZS Fails Its MOT On
Of the 4,820 MOT tests on the MG ZS that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Brakes
34%Cars and vans the same age: 20% (the ZS fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Lights and electrics
32%Cars and vans the same age: 27% · Typical repair £15-£200
Tyres
25%Cars and vans the same age: 30% · Typical repair £50-£300
Suspension
15%Cars and vans the same age: 17% · Typical repair £150-£600
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
14%Cars and vans the same age: 18% (the ZS fails on this less often) · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam (16% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (11% of failed tests, brakes)
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (9.7% of failed tests, tyres)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying an MG ZS? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
MG ZS Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each ZS year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
MG ZS Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
MG ZS Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the MG ZS? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View MG ZS Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
MG ZS FAQ
What are the most common MG ZS problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the MG ZS that failed at the first attempt most often failed on brakes (34% of the 4,820 failed tests), lights and electrics (32%) and tyres (25%). The single most common fault was "Headlamp: not working on dipped beam" (16%). Across 34,147 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 85% ended in a pass.
Is the MG ZS reliable?
The MG ZS has an average MOT pass rate of 85%, from 34,147 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 5 points less often on average, so check the history of any example carefully.
Which MG ZS years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2019 (86% of 14,089 tests passed, against 91% for all 2019 cars), the 2018 (84% of 8,982 tests passed, against 89% for all 2018 cars) and the 2020 (87% of 7,930 tests passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common MG ZS faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a MG ZS typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific MG ZS
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Compare the MG ZS
Other MG Models
Common problems pages for other MG models