MG 3 MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 73.6% of MG 3 MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 21,778 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
80.0%
All cars: 86.1% (6.1 points worse). 8,186 tests.
At 6–10 years
70.2%
All cars: 76.1% (5.9 points worse). 12,694 tests.
At 11 years and over
62.7%
All cars: 61.3% (1.4 points better). 877 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2,729 | 84.5% | 87.8% | 23,750 miles |
| 4 | 2,269 | 80.1% | 86.4% | 26,250 miles |
| 5 | 3,188 | 76.2% | 84.5% | 31,250 miles |
| 6 | 2,856 | 73.8% | 81.9% | 36,250 miles |
| 7 | 2,605 | 69.4% | 79.3% | 43,750 miles |
| 8 | 2,932 | 71.9% | 76.3% | 48,750 miles |
| 9 | 2,578 | 66.8% | 73.1% | 51,250 miles |
| 10 | 1,723 | 68.0% | 70.0% | 56,250 miles |
| 11 | 877 | 62.7% | 66.9% | 61,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of MG 3 MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.6% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 9.9% | 10.2% |
| Tyres | 9.7% | 8.4% |
| Suspension | 7.0% | 13.7% |
| Visibility | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| Steering | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 4.0% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 3.6% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too low failed 2.9% of tests · what this means
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 2.7% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 2.3% of tests
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam failed 2.2% of tests · what this means
- Coil spring: fractured or broken failed 1.9% of tests · what this means
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements failed 1.8% of tests
- Srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.8% of tests
Checking a particular 3?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 3 version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 100.0%, gas bi-fuel 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other MG models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.