2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 MG ZS MOT pass rate and common faults

348 MOT tests in 2024. 62.6% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time62.6%
Failed or needed repairs37.4%
Typical mileage at test89,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 348 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.6%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.0%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.5%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.9%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.4%
  7. Stop lamp: not working2.6%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.3%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes22.7%
  2. Lights & electrics22.7%
  3. Suspension18.7%
  4. Body & chassis17.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  7. Tyres4.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags4.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.1%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MG ZS?

In 2024, 62.6% of 2004 MG ZS cars passed their MOT first time, across 348 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 MG ZS?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2004 MG ZS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).