Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 MG 3?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 MG 3?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 MG 3?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 MG 3 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 MG 3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 146 vehicles, the 2013 MG 3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 MG 3?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 MG 3 are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (46.3% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (41.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 MG 3?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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MG 3 (2013)

146 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.4% first-time pass rate

2013 MG 3

CarHunch analysed 146 real MOT records for the 2013 MG 3. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2013 MG 3 passes its MOT first time in 79.4% of cases, marginally below the UK average of 80%, but the real concern is that 36.3% of vehicles in this cohort have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above what you'd expect. This suggests reliability issues that go beyond routine wear and tear.

With a median mileage of just 39,155 miles for a 2013, these cars are relatively lightly used, yet they're still racking up an average of 2.55 failures and 15 advisories per vehicle. Before buying, request the full MOT history and get any vehicle independently inspected, paying particular attention to the systems that have triggered dangerous defects in the past.

We have limited data for the 2013 MG 3 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

79.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

36.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.55

Over 11.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

39k

Middle half: 29k–55k

For context

These stats describe 146 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 146 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 47.2%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 41.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 38.4%

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 34.5%

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 24.7%

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 146 MG 3 cars.

Before you buy a 2013 MG 3

Based on MOT data from 146 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 36.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 MG 3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,155

typical

29,176

low mileage

55,062

high mileage

Half of all 2013 MG 3 vehicles fall between 29,176 and 55,062 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 29,176 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 29,176–55,062 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 MG 3s sit.

⚠ Over 74,333 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 MG 3 — Still on the Road

Most 2013 MG 3s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 115 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.55

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — MG 3: All 3 years → Which year to buy? →

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Or browse all models: MG →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 MG 3 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing