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

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. The MG Zt-T sits 11.5 points below the national average, ranked 1,867 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 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 recorded closing bids for damaged MG Zt-Ts at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a MG Zt-T

1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 5.8% of tests (13.88x 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, 6.7% of tests (7.05x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.5% of tests (5.81x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 5.9% of tests (4.52x the national rate for this defect)
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 4.4% of tests (4.07x the national rate for this defect)
6. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 6.8% of tests (2.89x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.1% of tests (2.78x the national rate for this defect)
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.4% of tests (2.4x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.8% of tests (2.16x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.1% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this defect)

From 781 DVSA-tracked MG Zt-T tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.73% of these flagged MG Zt-T defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a MG Zt-T

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 Zt-T before it actually fails on it.

1. 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 (7.67x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 7.6% of tests (6.07x the national rate for this advisory)
3. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 7.6% of tests (5.52x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 6% of tests (5.44x the national rate for this advisory)
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 31.8% of tests (5.13x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
6. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 25.9% of tests (5x the national rate for this advisory)
7. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 4.5% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 11.7% of tests (2.47x the national rate for this advisory)
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 6.1% of tests (2.16x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
10. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 6.7% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this advisory)

From 781 DVSA-tracked MG Zt-T tests, 2024.

MG Zt-T by fuel type

The MG Zt-T's two most-tested fuel types split by 8.7 points: petrol passes first time 69.6% of the time (405 tests) against 60.9% for diesel (368 tests).

• Petrol MG Zt-T - 69.6% first-time pass, 405 tests
• Diesel MG Zt-T - 60.9% first-time pass, 368 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

• Toyota Dyna - 65.3%
• Isuzu D-Max Yukon D/C Intercooler Td - 65.3%
• Volvo C30 - 65.2%
• Nissan Nv200 - 65.1%
• Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee - 65.1%
• Isuzu Trooper - 65%

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 Zt-T? Embed the real DVSA pass-rate badge free, linked back to this page.

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Run a garage or parts site? Embed the MG Zt-T's top real failure reason instead, linked back here.

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate