Does the MGB fail the MOT on brakes more than it should?
The MGB records 13.37 brakes failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 20.40 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−7.03, 95% interval −7.51 to −6.55). It ranks 610 of 712 models on brakes (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on brakes · check a MGB by registration
What exactly fails on brakes?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MGB is “Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.”, recorded 956 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 956 | 2.80 |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 719 | 2.10 |
| Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 501 | 1.47 |
| Parking brake inoperative on one side | 225 | 0.66 |
| Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 187 | 0.55 |
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 brakes advisory, how often does it fail next time?
9.6% of MGB MOTs with a brakes advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.4 months and 380 miles later (1,377 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,377 (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 body, chassis and structure 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