2023 MG MG3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 MG MG3 passed 92.9% of its 323 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 5.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests against 2.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and daytime running lamps — headlamp aim alone was recorded 32 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 10.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 35 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.8% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 6 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 7 |
| 3 | Daytime running lamps | 6 |
| 4 | Wipers | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 3 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2 |
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 | 10.5% | 34 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.0% | 16 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.2% | 7 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 2 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 243 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 80 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2023 MG3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.8% 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.
- Visibility (1.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2023 MG MG3s pass their MOT?
92.9% of the 323 2023 MG MG3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 MG MG3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by tyres (2.8%).
Does the 2023 MG3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 323 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.