2023 MG 5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2023 MG 5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2023 MG 5 than on all cars registered in 2023.

• Tread depth1.9× usual
  MG 5

  18.1% All 2023 cars

  9.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Number plate lights9.7× usual
  MG 5

  5.8% All 2023 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2023 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 absorbers5.3× usual
  MG 5

  4.8% All 2023 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2023 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.

• Tyre condition1.9× usual
  MG 5

  9.2% All 2023 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.1% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

• Nail or damage in a tyre2.9× usual
  MG 5

  4.6% All 2023 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 2023 MG 5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 MG 5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  25% 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
  7% 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
  1% 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
  1% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 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 tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2023 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 9.7× as often on the 2023 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2023 MG 5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?