2011 MG MG6 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,405 MOT tests on the 2011 MG MG6 are in this dataset, and 69.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 22.8% of the time, so this is 7.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and suspension (15.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 167 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 27.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 228 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 213 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.1% | 198 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.2% | 101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 86 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 167 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 117 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 5 | Wipers | 63 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 61 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.6% | 542 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.6% | 528 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.2% | 410 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 263 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 125 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 79 |
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 | 42 | 14.3% |
| 30-60k | 388 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 622 | 32.0% |
| 90-120k | 272 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 60 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 344 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 343 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 304 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 232 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 182 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 MG6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (14.1% 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 2011 MG MG6s pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 1,405 2011 MG MG6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 MG MG6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2011 MG6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,405 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.