2006 MG ZS — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 MG ZS passed 73.6% of its 360 recorded MOT tests. Against small SUVs of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2006 ZS comes out 1.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — service brake performance alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 ZS fails 22.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 23.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.7% in 2021 to 18.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 57 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 44 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.4% | 41 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 35 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 5 | Joints | 17 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 17 |
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 | 33.9% | 122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.8% | 111 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.8% | 75 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 72 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 65 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 38 |
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 | 89 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 115 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 322 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 38 | 23.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 105 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 78 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 72 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 57 | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 48 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 ZS
On a 2006 ZS, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% 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 2006 MG ZSs pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 360 2006 MG ZS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 MG ZS?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.2%).
Does the 2006 ZS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 360 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.