2006 MG ZT — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 917 MOT tests, the 2006 MG ZT recorded a 75.0% pass rate. Against large family cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2006 ZT comes out 2.4pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.8%) and brakes (12.7%) 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 coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 58 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.5% in the 0-30k band and 30.9% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.8% in 2021 to 18.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.8% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 116 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 112 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.6% | 42 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.5% | 41 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 41 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 54 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 44 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 37 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 36 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 31 |
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 | 31.0% | 284 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.3% | 260 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.9% | 173 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 115 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 88 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.5% | 60 |
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 | 40 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 172 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 181 | 20.4% |
| 90-120k | 185 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 187 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 152 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 464 | 17.5% |
| Diesel | 453 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 233 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 208 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 195 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 166 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 115 | 18.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 ZT
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Brakes (12.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% 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 2006 MG ZTs pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 917 2006 MG ZT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 MG ZT?
Suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.7%).
Does the 2006 ZT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 917 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.