MG B MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 82.3% of MG B MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 3,896 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
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 6–10 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 11 years and over
82.3%
All cars: 61.3% (21 points better). 3,870 tests.
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20+ | 3,870 | 82.3% | 61.4% | 41,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of MG B 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 | B | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.2% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 10.4% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| Suspension | 4.6% | 13.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| Steering | 3.4% | 2.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.0% | 4.2% |
| Tyres | 0.9% | 8.4% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Position lamp: not working failed 2.4% of tests · what this means
- Washers: not working failed 2.2% of tests · what this means
- Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive failed 2.1% of tests · what this means
- Service brake imbalance: across an axle failed 1.9% of tests · what this means
- Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Service brake performance: excessively binding failed 1.7% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too low failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
- Horn: not working failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
- Stop lamp: all not working failed 1.4% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp: not working on main beam failed 1.2% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular B?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every B 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%, electric 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.