MG ZS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,247 MOT tests from 368 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every MG ZS has the same fault.

MG ZS's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 599/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MG ZS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MG ZS.

MG ZS (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2019	848/999Excellent	79,145 miles	2,232 vehicles
Petrol	2004	469/999Average	78,712 miles	2,237 vehicles
Petrol	2002	479/999Average	77,982 miles	3,354 vehicles

How reliable is the MG ZS?

Based on 1,247 MOT tests from 368 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

368

MOT tests

1,247

Pass rate

80.2%

Median mileage

36,911 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MG ZS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 914 out of 999.

Common MG ZS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 275 advisory comments and 35 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 138 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 44 advisory comments and 5 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 24 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 14 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP NOT WORKING ON DIPPED BEAM (4.1.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 13 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 10 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCEEDS DEFAULT LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (B))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 7 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

MG ZS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	16	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	28	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	24	3	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	81	95	85.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022	46	103	82.5%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2021	37	117	83.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	55	250	86.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	44	245	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	21	153	79.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used MG ZS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Buying a MG ZS?

Common problems tell you what can affect MG ZSs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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