Used car guide

2023 MG 5 Trophy: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 MG 5 Trophys, from 457 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 457 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

457MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
12,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for tread depth

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2023 MG 5 Trophys than on all cars registered in 2023.

  • Tread depth2× usual
    MG 5 Trophy
    19.7% 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.

  • Number plate lights11.6× usual
    MG 5 Trophy
    8.1% All 2023 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.3% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Shock absorbers6.7× usual
    MG 5 Trophy
    7.4% All 2023 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.2% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

By area

The share of 2023 MG 5 Trophy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    1% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    1% 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.

Looking at an MG 5 Trophy?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022459Tyres 16%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 MG 5 Trophys registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score