Used car guide · 2001–2026

MG ZS common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used MG ZS, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 61,864 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

61,864MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
142,361on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2021best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with an MG ZS?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common MG ZS MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Brake discs

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Braking performance

    up to 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Coil springs

    up to 36× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2022.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 9.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022 and 2023.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlights

    up to 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

MG ZS MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 MG ZS did best (87% passed first time, 0 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2019 did worst (76%, 8 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202386%92% -61,644
202285%89% -417,647
202187%87% +014,989
202081%86% -512,499
201976%84% -88,696
201875%81% -65,092
201767%78% -11351 (small sample)
200559%58% +1221 (small sample)
200460%58% +2302 (small sample)
200356%59% -3243 (small sample)
200261%60% +1180 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying an MG ZS

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

  1. Has the steering column been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 36× as often on the MG ZS as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an MG ZS?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score