MG MG5 MOT pass rate & common failures
The MG MG5 appears in 32,048 MOT tests spanning model years 2020–2025, and 91.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (7.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.9%) and tyres (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, tread depth and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 1,274 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.6% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every MG5 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 987 | 92.3% | 7.7% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 15,501 | 92.2% | 7.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2022 | 14,127 | 90.6% | 9.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2023 | 1,274 | 92.7% | 7.3% | Tyres |
| 2024 | 153 | 99.4% | 0.7% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 2,211 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,718 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.0% | 650 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 402 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 113 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 52 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 51 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.1% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 1,274 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,037 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 842 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 658 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 530 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 367 |
| 7 | Washers | 341 |
| 8 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 207 |
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 | 21.3% | 6,826 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.4% | 2,375 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.0% | 1,615 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 1,047 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 781 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 557 |
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 | 11,148 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 13,241 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,087 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,854 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 512 | 10.9% |
| 150k+ | 206 | 12.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 1,226 | 3.3% |
| 2023 | 4,157 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | 10,061 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 16,504 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a MG MG5
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% 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 (2.0% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the MG MG5?
91.5% of the 32,048 MG MG5 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.5% fail rate, across model years 2020–2025.
What does the MG MG5 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.9% of tests, then tyres (5.4%).
How much does mileage affect MG5 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 5.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 12.6% for 150k+, a 7.5-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,048 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.