Does the MG 3 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The MG 3 records 4.25 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.11 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.86, 95% interval −1.01 to −0.71). It ranks 328 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a MG 3 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MG 3 is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 858 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 858 | 0.97 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 723 | 0.82 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 358 | 0.41 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 308 | 0.35 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 211 | 0.24 |
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
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 noise, emissions and leaks 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