Used car guide

2014 MG 3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 MG 3s, from 1,524 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,524MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
5,300typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 MG 3s than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.4× usual
    MG 3
    15.9% All 2014 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.5% of all 2014 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    MG 3
    20% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame4.5× usual
    MG 3
    11.3% All 2014 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Headlights3.6× usual
    MG 3
    10.5% All 2014 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Airbag warning light16× usual
    MG 3
    6.4% All 2014 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 0.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.4% here, against 5.2% of all 2014 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.2% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 MG 3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% 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
    11% 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
    6% 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 a MG 3?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 MG 3s registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score