Does the MG ZR fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The MG ZR records 13.47 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 9.19 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+4.28, 95% interval +3.78 to +4.79). It ranks 47 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 ZR by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the MG ZR is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 659 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 659 | 3.22 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 554 | 2.71 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 548 | 2.68 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 383 | 1.87 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 231 | 1.13 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 20,477 (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 ZR gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
10.0% of MG ZR MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 2,686 miles later (1,413 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,413 (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 ZR 2001 · MG ZR 2002 · MG ZR 2003 · MG ZR 2004 · MG ZR 2005 · MG ZR 2006 · MG ZR by postcode area · MG ZR body, chassis and structure failures · MG ZR brakes failures · MG ZR vehicle identification failures · MG ZR lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · MG ZR road wheels failures · MG ZR seat belts and airbags failures · MG ZR steering failures · MG ZR suspension failures · MG ZR tyres failures · MG ZR visibility failures