2023 MG MG5 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,274 MOT tests on the 2023 MG MG5 are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 5.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.5%) and lighting & signalling (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), tread depth and shock absorbers — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 39 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 0-30k band and 12.0% in the 60-90k band, a 7.1-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 70 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 50 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.5% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 39 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 30 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 19 |
| 4 | Washers | 9 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 7 |
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 | 18.4% | 235 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.5% | 70 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 54 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 37 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.7% | 9 |
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 | 533 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 589 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 526 | 5.5% |
| 2025 | 723 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2023 MG5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.5% 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.
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 MG5s pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 1,274 2023 MG MG5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 MG MG5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.9%).
Does the 2023 MG5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,274 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.