2001 MG ZR — MOT failures & pass rate
554 MOT tests on the 2001 MG ZR are in this dataset, and 74.2% of them passed. That is 2.0 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 ZR fails 25.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 25.4% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 70 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 64 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 41 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.0% | 39 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 31 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 40 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 39 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 35 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 6 | Joints | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 26.5% | 147 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.9% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.7% | 98 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 92 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.7% | 59 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 52 |
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 | 35 | 25.7% |
| 30-60k | 99 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 174 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 163 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 55 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 143 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 117 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 105 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 99 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 90 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 ZR
On a 2001 ZR, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2001 MG ZRs pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 554 2001 MG ZR MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 MG ZR?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 2001 ZR get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 554 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.