Used car guide

2023 MG 4 SE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 MG 4 SEs, from 948 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

948MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
11,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for tread depth

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2023 MG 4 SEs than on all cars registered in 2023.

  • Tread depth2.3× usual
    MG 4 SE
    22.7% All 2023 cars
    9.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.9% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Tyre condition2× usual
    MG 4 SE
    11.6% All 2023 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.4% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

By area

The share of 2023 MG 4 SE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    2% 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
    2% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,244Tyres 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 MG 4 SEs registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score