2021 MG HS — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,938 MOT tests, the 2021 MG HS recorded a 92.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and brakes (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, headlamp aim and washers — brake pads alone was recorded 347 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 HS fails 5.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 1.8% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 5.9% fail against 7.7% for petrol, a 1.8-point gap across 17,938 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 549 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.7% | 483 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 349 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 341 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 76 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 70 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 347 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 318 |
| 3 | Washers | 264 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 246 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 136 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 130 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.7% | 3,530 |
| 2 | Tyres | 12.4% | 2,225 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.0% | 1,792 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.6% | 470 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 295 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 270 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 10,216 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 6,915 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 742 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 56 | 1.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,340 | 7.7% |
| Hybrid | 3,598 | 5.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 304 | 5.6% |
| 2024 | 8,861 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 8,759 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 HS
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 MG HSs pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 17,938 2021 MG HS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 MG HS?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by brakes (2.7%).
Does the 2021 HS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 1.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,938 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.