Used car guide

2016 MG GS: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 MG GSs, from 558 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

558MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
6,900typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for headlight aim

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 MG GSs than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Headlight aim4.5× usual
    MG GS
    9.9% All 2016 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 2.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Number plate lights2.6× usual
    MG GS
    8.4% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

By area

The share of 2016 MG GS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • 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.

Looking at a MG GS?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018965Tyres 37%
2017948Tyres 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 MG GSs registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score