Used car guide

2013 MG 3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 MG 3s, from 135 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 135 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

135MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,100typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 MG 3s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.7× usual
    MG 3
    22.2% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

The share of 2013 MG 3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    41% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    36% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at an MG 3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023307Tyres 13%
20224,274Tyres 26%
20211,929Tyres 32%
20202,471Tyres 34%
20193,635Tyres 34%
20182,550Tyres 34%
20172,844Tyres 36%
20163,065Suspension 37%
20152,269Suspension 39%
20141,524Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 MG 3s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score