Used car guide

2022 MG ZS: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2022 MG ZSs, from 17,647 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

17,647MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
7,700typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2022 MG ZSs than on all cars registered in 2022.

  • Brake discs3.8× usual
    MG ZS
    17.3% All 2022 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    MG ZS
    8.5% All 2022 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Coil springs36× usual
    MG ZS
    3.6% All 2022 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.1% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Number plate lights4.4× usual
    MG ZS
    2.2% All 2022 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2022 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 2022 MG ZS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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
    7% 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
    6% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% 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 ZS?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,644Tyres 18%
202114,989Tyres 26%
202012,499Tyres 34%
20198,696Tyres 35%
20185,092Tyres 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2022 MG ZSs registered in 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score