2022 MG ZS — MOT failures & pass rate
23,072 MOT tests on the 2022 MG ZS are in this dataset, and 89.7% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (6.5% fail rate), the 2022 ZS comes out 3.8pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and lighting & signalling (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 645 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 14.6% in the 120-150k band, a 6.3-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.0% of the time against 10.8% for electric.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 1,041 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 746 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 731 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 574 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 265 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 645 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 538 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 408 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 325 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 235 |
| 6 | Front fog lamps | 229 |
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 | 19.6% | 4,527 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.4% | 3,794 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.5% | 1,958 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 758 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 616 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 436 |
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 | 15,363 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 6,483 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 957 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 10.2% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 13,721 | 10.0% |
| Electric | 9,351 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 642 | 5.1% |
| 2024 | 1,736 | 8.0% |
| 2025 | 20,683 | 10.7% |
What to check before buying a 2022 ZS
On a 2022 ZS, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.2% 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.
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 2022 MG ZSs pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 23,072 2022 MG ZS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 MG ZS?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.2%).
Does the 2022 ZS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 14.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,072 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.