Used car guide

2005 MG ZT: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 MG ZTs, from 268 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 268 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

268MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 MG ZTs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Suspension arm2.7× usual
    MG ZT
    11.2% All 2005 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.4% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 MG ZT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% 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
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004436Brakes 39%
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 2005 MG ZTs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score