2001 MG ZS — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 MG ZS passed 72.0% of its 551 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.6%) and suspension (13.8%) 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, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 81 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.4% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.6% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 76 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 62 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 48 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 26 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 21 |
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 | 81 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 45 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 5 | Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas | 21 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 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 | 35.0% | 193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 176 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 112 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.0% | 110 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 50 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 83 | 26.5% |
| 60-90k | 124 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 134 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 120 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 110 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 89 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 98 | 30.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 ZS
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.6% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.6% 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.
- Suspension (13.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2001 MG ZSs pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 551 2001 MG ZS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 MG ZS?
Brakes, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2001 ZS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 551 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.