MG Rv8 MOT pass rate & common failures
2,897 MOT tests on the MG Rv8 (1992–2021) give it a 91.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.1% of the time, so this is 15.7pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.4%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and service brake imbalance — service brake performance alone was recorded 59 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Rv8 fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.9 points.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 14.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.2% in 2021 to 7.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Rv8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 405 | 93.6% | 6.4% | Visibility |
| 1994 | 808 | 90.8% | 9.2% | Brakes |
| 1995 | 820 | 91.6% | 8.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 292 | 91.4% | 8.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 68 | 95.6% | 4.4% | Steering |
| 1998 | 87 | 87.4% | 12.6% | Brakes |
| 1999 | 35 | 100.0% | 0.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 50 | 92.0% | 8.0% | Steering |
| 2004 | 63 | 88.9% | 11.1% | Brakes |
| 2005 | 45 | 93.3% | 6.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 36 | 83.3% | 16.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 45 | 93.3% | 6.7% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 128 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 94 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.2% | 63 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 46 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.4% | 39 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 30 |
| 7 | Suspension | 0.7% | 19 |
| 8 | Tyres | 0.4% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 59 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 54 |
| 4 | Wipers | 44 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 42 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 32 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 32 |
| 8 | Washers | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 419 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.9% | 199 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 160 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 137 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.4% | 97 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.0% | 87 |
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 | 1,565 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,029 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 275 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 596 | 10.2% |
| 2022 | 582 | 7.4% |
| 2023 | 579 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 562 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 578 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a MG Rv8
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.2% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the MG Rv8?
91.5% of the 2,897 MG Rv8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.5% fail rate, across model years 1992–2021.
What does the MG Rv8 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, then brakes (3.2%).
How much does mileage affect Rv8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.2% for cars in the 0-30k band and 9.1% for 60-90k, a 0.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,897 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.