1994 Mg Rv8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 808 MOT tests analysed for the 1994 Mg Rv8, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 90.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.0% | 32 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 30 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 20 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.2% | 10 |
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 | 19 |
| 2 | Wipers | 17 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 9 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 9 |
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 | 16.6% | 134 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.2% | 58 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 50 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 45 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 20 |
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 | 446 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 288 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 59 | 6.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 9.2% |
| 2022 | 183 | 7.6% |
| 2023 | 196 | 11.2% |
| 2024 | 184 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 180 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 1994 Rv8
Before buying a 1994 Mg Rv8, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 4.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (4.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.5% 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 1994 Mg Rv8s pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 808 1994 Mg Rv8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Mg Rv8?
Brakes, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.7%).
Does the 1994 Rv8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 6.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 808 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.