MG Zr: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MG Zr fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 7.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,998 individual MG Zr tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 69.5% first-time pass rate means roughly 31 in every 100 MG Zrs presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average MG Zr tested had covered 83,604 miles and was built around 2004.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The MG Zr sits 7.2 points below the national average, ranked 1,775 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

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 Zr 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 Zrs at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Zr

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 3.4% of tests (9.63x the national rate for this defect)
2. 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, 8.9% of tests (9.39x the national rate for this defect)
3. Emissions test unable to be completed, 2.4% of tests (5.73x the national rate for this defect)
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2% of tests (4.85x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 2.5% of tests (4.81x the national rate for this defect)
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 6.7% of tests (4.38x the national rate for this defect)
7. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.7% of tests (3.66x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.6% of tests (3.43x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5.7% of tests (2.41x the national rate for this defect)
10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.5% of tests (1.92x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,996 DVSA-tracked MG Zr tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.41% of these flagged MG Zr defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a MG Zr

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 Zr before it actually fails on it.

1. Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning, 6% of tests (24.69x the national rate for this advisory)
2. 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, 11.7% of tests (7.69x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
3. A stub axle swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn, 4.6% of tests (7.19x the national rate for this advisory)
4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.9% of tests (3.91x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 6.7% of tests (3.33x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
6. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.4% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this advisory)
7. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 8.2% of tests (2.89x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 12.4% of tests (2.23x the national rate for this advisory)
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.6% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this advisory)
10. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 9.4% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this advisory)

From 1,996 DVSA-tracked MG Zr tests, 2024.

MG Zr pass rate by model year

From its 2003 to its 2005 model year, the MG Zr's first-time pass rate has risen 3.3 points, from 69.2% to 72.5%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each MG Zr year:

• 2002 MG Zr - 73.1% first-time pass, 264 tests
• 2003 MG Zr - 69.2% first-time pass, 523 tests
• 2004 MG Zr - 68.6% first-time pass, 656 tests
• 2005 MG Zr - 72.5% first-time pass, 404 tests

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

• MG Mgf - 69.6%
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Crd Ltd A - 69.6%
• Mercedes-Benz Citan - 69.5%
• Renault Zoe - 69.4%
• Fiat Panda - 69.3%
• Saab 900 - 69.3%

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?

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate