MG Zt-T: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The MG Zt-T fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 11.5 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 781 individual MG Zt-T tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate65.2%
UK national average76.7%
Difference-11.5 points
Tests analysed781
Average mileage at test120,981 miles
Average year of manufacture2004
Reliability rank1,867 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 65.2% first-time pass rate means roughly 35 in every 100 MG Zt-Ts 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 Zt-T tested had covered 120,981 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. On a MG Zt-T bought as a 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 Zt-T 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 what damaged MG Zt-Ts actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Zt-T

  1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 3.8% of tests (12.17x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, 1.5% of tests (9.66x the national rate for this defect)
  3. 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, 4.6% of tests (5.56x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.3% of tests (5.29x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 4.2% of tests (4.26x the national rate for this defect)
  6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.8% of tests (3.45x the national rate for this defect)
  7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4% of tests (2.97x the national rate for this defect)
  8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.5% of tests (2.53x the national rate for this defect)
  9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 1.9% of tests (2.53x the national rate for this defect)
  10. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.8% of tests (1.87x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,300 DVSA-tracked MG Zt-T tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.6% of these flagged MG Zt-T defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

MG Zt-T by fuel type

Diesel and petrol versions of the same car fail on different things, so the fuel type moves the number:

Other MG models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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MG Zt-T MOT pass rate badge: 65.2%

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate