2021 MG MG5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,501 MOT tests, the 2021 MG MG5 recorded a 92.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (8.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.8%) and tyres (5.3%) 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 534 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 10.4% versus 4.2%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 1,056 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.3% | 815 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 203 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.2% | 184 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 65 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 534 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 497 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 477 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 285 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 192 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 167 |
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 | 22.2% | 3,448 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.3% | 815 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 641 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.0% | 612 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 373 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 312 |
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 | 4,803 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 6,509 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,589 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,092 | 11.8% |
| 120-150k | 354 | 10.2% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 10.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 1,058 | 3.6% |
| 2023 | 1,833 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 6,229 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 6,302 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 MG5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.3% 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 (1.3% 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 2021 MG MG5s pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 15,501 2021 MG MG5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 MG MG5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by tyres (5.3%).
Does the 2021 MG5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,501 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.