MG ZT Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 510 MOT tests from 24 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 ZT has the same fault.

MG ZT's have a average reliability rating of 455/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MG ZT 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 ZT.

Check the reliability of your MG ZT

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2004	402/999Average	84,122 miles	567 vehicles
Petrol	2003	473/999Average	72,288 miles	1,353 vehicles
Petrol	2002	491/999Average	79,295 miles	1,629 vehicles

How reliable is the MG ZT?

Based on 510 MOT tests from 24 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

510

Pass rate

75.9%

Median mileage

86,715 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MG ZT has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 573 out of 999.

Common MG ZT 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 73 advisory comments and 10 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 30 advisory comments and 14 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 corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 22 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 (3.7.B.7)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 15 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (5.4.2)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 14 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: NEARSIDE FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 14 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. 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 FRONT COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 5 advisory comments and 3 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: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 6 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 10MM CIRCLE WITHIN ZONE 'A' (8.3.1A)

MG ZT 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
2004	11	227	78.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	5	90	73.3%	Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used MG ZT

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.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a MG ZT?

Common problems tell you what can affect MG ZTs 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.

Browse Other MG Models

← Back to Reliability Check