2013 MG MG3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 MG MG3 passed 81.0% of its 1,114 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (21.0% fail rate), the 2013 MG3 comes out 2.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.5%) and tyres (6.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, srs malfunction indicator lamp and rigid brake pipes — pins and bushes alone was recorded 61 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.7% in the 0-30k band and 30.8% in the 90-120k band, a 19.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 72 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.1% | 68 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 66 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.8% | 53 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 48 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 61 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 45 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 41 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 33 |
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 | 30.2% | 336 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 300 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.9% | 289 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 73 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 54 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 47 |
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 | 145 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 492 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 354 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 240 | 17.1% |
| 2022 | 226 | 16.4% |
| 2023 | 237 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 210 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 201 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 MG3
On a 2013 MG3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Suspension (5.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2013 MG MG3s pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 1,114 2013 MG MG3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 MG MG3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by tyres (6.1%).
Does the 2013 MG3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,114 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.