MG ZS years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
All 6 MG ZS years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.
- Below the average for their first-use year2018–2023
- Above the average for their first-use yearNone
- Can't be told apart from averageNone
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 82.3% to 82.8%.
In 2025, 82.6% of the 62,113 initial MOT tests on MG ZS cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 86.5%. That is 3.9 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific ZS
MG ZS MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023age 2 | 1,90727,300 | 85.7%±1.7 | −5.9 ptsall: 91.6% | |
| 2022age 3 | 18,80123,500 | 85.3%±0.6 | −3.2 ptsall: 88.5% | |
| 2021age 4 | 15,15729,600 | 86.6%±0.6 | −0.6 ptsall: 87.2% | |
| 2020age 5 | 12,47434,400 | 81.1%±0.7 | −4.9 ptsall: 86.0% | |
| 2019age 6 | 8,67639,300 | 75.6%±1.0 | −7.9 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2018age 7 | 5,09846,100 | 74.6%±1.3 | −6.3 ptsall: 80.9% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
88.3% of MG ZS tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 70.8% at 60,000 to 89,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.5% and 79.7%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 29,913 | 88.3%±0.4 | −2.3 ptsall: 90.5% |
| 30,000–59,999 | 26,875 | 78.6%±0.5 | −6.2 ptsall: 84.8% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 4,417 | 70.8%±1.4 | −9.0 ptsall: 79.7% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, ZS tests were below average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all MG ZS tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. 17 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common ZS problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
Most common MOT failures on the MG ZS
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 11.4%1,235 tests | 10.3% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 10.4%1,127 tests | 9.0% |
| Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics | 10.4%1,125 tests | 3.0% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 9.2%993 tests | 13.0% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 7.8%846 tests | 2.7% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 7.4%799 tests | 13.0% |
| Headlamp not working on main beamLights and electrics | 5.9%637 tests | 0.4% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperativeTyres | 5.5%597 tests | 2.4% |
| Brake disc significantly and obviously wornBrakes | 5.1%557 tests | 1.9% |
| Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres | 5.0%538 tests | 7.4% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the ZS's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a ZS
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a ZS's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of MG ZS cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.7% failed on tyres, against 5.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 4,887 and 20,744 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 14.2% of the others.
Brakes
Of MG ZS cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.9% failed on brakes, against 4.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 4,736 and 20,877 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.1% of those with a brake advisory and 14.3% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataMG ZS questions
Which MG ZS years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2018–2023. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the MG ZS reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 82.6% of initial MOT tests on MG ZS cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 86.5%. That is 3.9 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common MG ZS problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are tyres (in 31.5% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 28.3% of failed tests) and brakes (in 25.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old MG ZS?
At their 2025 MOT tests, MG ZS cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 23,500 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific ZS's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any MG ZS
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther MG models
- MG HS+0.1 pts against the same-age average
- MG 3−5.9 pts against the same-age average
- MG 5−4.0 pts against the same-age average
- MG TF+10.4 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all MG ZS cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count