2014 MG MG3 — MOT failures & pass rate
9,734 MOT tests on the 2014 MG MG3 are in this dataset, and 80.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.7%) and lighting & signalling (6.4%) 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 wipers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 509 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.8% versus 12.7%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.7% | 649 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 627 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.8% | 567 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 524 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 508 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.7% | 456 |
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 | 509 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 480 |
| 3 | Wipers | 389 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 294 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 293 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 265 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 27.2% | 2,643 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.7% | 2,595 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.9% | 2,518 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.5% | 824 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 451 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 407 |
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 | 1,771 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,651 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,676 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 554 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,021 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 1,947 | 17.4% |
| 2023 | 1,977 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 1,904 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 1,885 | 22.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 MG3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
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 2014 MG MG3s pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 9,734 2014 MG MG3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 MG MG3?
Suspension, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.4%).
Does the 2014 MG3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,734 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.