2019 MG 3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 MG 3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 MG 3 than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Sub-frame29× usual
  MG 3

  2.9% All 2019 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

• Brake lights5.8× usual
  MG 3

  3.5% All 2019 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.5% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Wipers2× usual
  MG 3

  5.1% All 2019 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Headlight aim2.1× usual
  MG 3

  3.4% All 2019 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 2019 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.

• Headlights2.3× usual
  MG 3

  2.3% All 2019 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.9% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2019 MG 3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 MG 3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Brakes
  22% 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
  13% 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
  10% 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.

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2019 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 2019 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 sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 29× as often on the 2019 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2019 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2019 MG 3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?