2016 MG MG3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 MG MG3 passed 83.0% of its 18,244 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 15.5% of the time, so this is 1.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.4%) and suspension (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, wipers and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 690 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.2% in the 0-30k band and 26.9% in the 120-150k band, a 15.7-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 1,169 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.5% | 1,012 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.2% | 952 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 844 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 821 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.0% | 175 |
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 | 690 |
| 2 | Wipers | 655 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 507 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 496 |
| 5 | Washers | 337 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 309 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.4% | 5,186 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.4% | 4,082 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.9% | 3,816 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.9% | 1,616 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 689 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 332 |
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 | 5,620 | 11.2% |
| 30-60k | 9,277 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,823 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 448 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,557 | 13.4% |
| 2022 | 3,700 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 3,663 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 3,677 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | 3,647 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 MG3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (5.5% 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.
- Brakes (5.2% 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.
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 2016 MG MG3s pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 18,244 2016 MG MG3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 MG MG3?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (5.5%).
Does the 2016 MG3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,244 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.