Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 MG 3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,149 vehicles, the 2016 MG 3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 MG 3?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 MG 3 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (38.7% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (33.5% 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 2016 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.

CarHunch

Get Started

MG 3 (2016)

3,149 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2016 MG 3

CarHunch analysed 3,149 real MOT records for the 2016 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? →

On this page

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

The 2016 MG 3 passes its MOT on the first attempt 82.9% of the time, slightly ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is a decent result—but the serious concern here is that 35.9% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, well above what you'd typically expect. This suggests structural or safety issues are more common than the headline pass rate implies.

With a median mileage of just 34,619 miles for an eight-year-old car, these are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they're averaging 1.59 failures and 11.2 advisories per test, indicating that wear and minor issues do accumulate even at gentle usage levels. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the brake system, suspension, and structural integrity—the dangerous defect history suggests these areas need extra scrutiny.

The 2016 MG 3 has a decent first-time pass rate (82.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.59

Over 8.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 24k–46k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 11.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 3,149 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 3,149 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 39.7%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

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

Brake wear 33.5%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 19.8%

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Suspension & steering 16.6%

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,149 MG 3 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 MG 3

Based on MOT data from 3,149 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.9% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 20,279 MG 3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 24%

4,858

White 23.5%

4,770

Black 18.6%

3,762

Blue 11.6%

2,357

Yellow 9.2%

1,869

Silver 7.6%

1,542

Orange 2.8%

577

Grey 2.7%

544

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 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.

34,619

typical

24,269

low mileage

45,924

high mileage

Half of all 2016 MG 3 vehicles fall between 24,269 and 45,924 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 24,269 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.

✓ 24,269–45,924 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 MG 3s sit.

⚠ Over 61,997 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 MG 3 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 MG 3s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 2,892 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

8.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.59

Avg failures per vehicle

11.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Or browse all models: MG →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 MG 3 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing