Does the MG 3 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The MG 3 records 0.82 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.09 expected for a car of the same age mix: about as expected for its class and age (the difference is within its interval or under 0.5 items per 100 tests) (−0.27, 95% interval −0.34 to −0.20). It ranks 314 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a MG 3 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MG 3 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 422 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 422 | 0.48 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 106 | 0.12 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 62 | 0.07 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 52 | 0.06 |
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 46 | 0.05 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 88,117 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a MG 3 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
2.5% of MG 3 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 7,143 miles later (745 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 745 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
MG 3 2013 · MG 3 2014 · MG 3 2015 · MG 3 2016 · MG 3 2017 · MG 3 2018 · MG 3 2019 · MG 3 2020 · MG 3 by postcode area · MG 3 body, chassis and structure failures · MG 3 brakes failures · MG 3 vehicle identification failures · MG 3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · MG 3 road wheels failures · MG 3 seat belts and airbags failures · MG 3 steering failures · MG 3 suspension failures · MG 3 tyres failures · MG 3 visibility failures