Used car guide

2004 MG ZT: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 MG ZTs, from 436 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 436 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

436MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 MG ZTs than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    MG ZT
    9.6% All 2004 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2004 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.5% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Headlights: 6.2% here, against 13.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 MG ZT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    39% 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
    37% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    24% 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at an MG ZT?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005268Suspension 45%
2003254Suspension 43%
2002148Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 MG ZTs registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score