2013 MG 3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 MG 3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 MG 3 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes3.9× usual
  MG 3

  15.8% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  MG 3

  15.1% All 2013 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

• Sub-frame3.7× usual
  MG 3

  8.9% All 2013 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2013 MG 3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 MG 3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  33% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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
  19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  5% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2013 MG 3

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain stretch (early cars)

  Early cars

  On early cars the timing chain can stretch and jump a tooth, causing rough running and poor starting, and eventually engine failure. An upgraded chain is available.

  At the viewing: Listen for a rattle at start-up and check it starts and idles smoothly.

  Source: What Car?: MG 3 (2013-2024) reliability

• Clutch pedal sticking down

  All engines

  On some cars the clutch pedal has gone to the floor and not come back.

  At the viewing: Press the clutch several times and make sure it returns fully every time.

  Source: What Car?: MG 3 (2013-2024) reliability

• Leaky door seals (early cars)

  Early cars

  Some early cars let water in past the door seals.

  At the viewing: Feel the carpets and seats for damp.

  Source: What Car?: MG 3 (2013-2024) reliability

• Sensor faults and fuel tank strap recall

  All engines

  Rear parking sensors and other sensors and displays can fail. A recall covered fuel tank strap bolts that weren't made to the right spec.

  At the viewing: Test the parking sensors and run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: MG 3 (2013-2024) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 MG 3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the upgraded timing chain been fitted?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2013 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2013 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2013 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?