MG Midget: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MG Midget passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 7.3 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 767 individual MG Midget tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 84% first-time pass rate means roughly 16 in every 100 MG Midgets presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average MG Midget tested had covered 41,109 miles and was built around 1975.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The MG Midget sits 7.3 points above the national average, ranked 1,302 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific MG Midget rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged MG Midgets at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Midget

1. Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., 2.6% of tests (5.01x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.7% of tests (3.69x the national rate for this defect)
3. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.7% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
4. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.1% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
5. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2% of tests
6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.8% of tests
7. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.8% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
8. Audible warning inoperative, 1.8% of tests (6.51x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.4% of tests
10. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.4% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)

From 764 DVSA-tracked MG Midget tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.78% of these flagged MG Midget defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a MG Midget

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a MG Midget before it actually fails on it.

1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 8.1% of tests (12.5x the national rate for this advisory)
2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 12.2% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this advisory)
3. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.6% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this advisory)
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 10.1% of tests, also fails
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.1% of tests
6. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.6% of tests
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.1% of tests
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2% of tests
9. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.7% of tests, also fails
10. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 1.7% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this advisory)

From 764 DVSA-tracked MG Midget tests, 2024.

Other MG models

• MG Zs - 81.4%
• MG 3 - 80.1%
• MG Zs Exclusive Ev - 90.6%
• MG Tf - 72.4%
• MG Mgf - 69.6%
• MG 5 Exclusive - 91.6%
• MG Zs Exclusive Vti-Tech - 90.3%
• MG Hs Exclusive S-A - 91.9%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Hyundai Tucson - 84%
• Ford Transit Custom 280lmtd Eblue A - 84%
• Dodge Ram - 84%
• Land Rover Range Rover Evoque D 4x2 - 83.9%
• Ford Freedom - 83.9%
• Vauxhall Combo Life Se Turbo D S/S - 83.9%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

Embed this data

Run a site about the MG Midget? Embed the real DVSA pass-rate badge free, linked back to this page.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/mg-midget"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/mg-midget.svg" width="340" height="92" alt="MG Midget MOT Pass Rate: 84% - Salvage Prophet"></a>

Run a garage or parts site? Embed the MG Midget's top real failure reason instead, linked back here.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/mg-midget"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/mg-midget.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="MG Midget most common MOT failure: Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. (2.6% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate