2005 MG ZT — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,512 MOT tests, the 2005 MG ZT recorded a 72.9% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.8%, so the 2005 ZT sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.2%) and lighting & signalling (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and srs malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 233 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.4% versus 6.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 6.3pp more often than petrol ones (29.9% vs 23.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.0% in 2021 to 26.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.2% | 500 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 432 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 405 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.7% | 201 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 173 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 163 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 233 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 205 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 175 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 171 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 159 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 135 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.7% | 1,220 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.1% | 1,197 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.6% | 794 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 612 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 330 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.7% | 305 |
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 | 80 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 386 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 810 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 947 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 681 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 605 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,959 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 1,553 | 23.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 933 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 819 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 691 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 576 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 493 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 ZT
On a 2005 ZT, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.5% 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.
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 2005 MG ZTs pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 3,512 2005 MG ZT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 MG ZT?
Suspension, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).
Does the 2005 ZT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,512 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.