2021 MG 5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 MG 5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 MG 5 than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Number plate lights8.5× usual
  MG 5

  5.1% All 2021 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

• Shock absorbers4.2× usual
  MG 5

  5.4% All 2021 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Headlights8× usual
  MG 5

  4% All 2021 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.4% of all 2021 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 2021 MG 5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 MG 5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  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
  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.

• Brakes
  4% 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.

• 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.

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

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 MG 5

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

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 8.5× as often on the 2021 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2021 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the 2021 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?