Does the MGB fail the MOT on body, chassis and structure more than it should?
The MGB records 4.27 body, chassis and structure failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 15.24 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−10.97, 95% interval −11.39 to −10.56). It ranks 636 of 663 models on body, chassis and structure (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on body, chassis and structure · check a MGB by registration
What exactly fails on body, chassis and structure?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MGB is “Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced”, recorded 279 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 279 | 0.82 |
| Exhaust system leaking or insecure | 235 | 0.69 |
| Fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire | 191 | 0.56 |
| Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap | 167 | 0.49 |
| Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 122 | 0.36 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 34,158 (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 MGB gets a body, chassis and structure advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.7% of MGB MOTs with a body, chassis and structure advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.9 months and 438 miles later (901 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 901 (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
MGB in the Netherlands · MGB by postcode area · MGB brakes failures · MGB vehicle identification failures · MGB lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · MGB noise, emissions and leaks failures · MGB road wheels failures · MGB seat belts and airbags failures · MGB steering failures · MGB suspension failures · MGB tyres failures · MGB visibility failures