MG Zs (2005)

1,860 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.2% first-time pass rate

2005 MG Zs

CarHunch analysed 1,860 real MOT records for the 2005 MG Zs. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 8.8% below UK average
71.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
55,281
typical mileage
43,063–70,163 middle half
28.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.98
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2005 MG Zs

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 28.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a MG Zs

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (89%) 1,648 71.4% 3.95
Diesel (11%) 207 69.9% 4.29
LPG (0%) 3 64.2% 3.67
Other (0%) 2 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 MG Zs vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

43,063
low mileage
55,281
typical
70,163
high mileage

Half of all 2005 MG Zs vehicles fall between 43,063 and 70,163 miles.

2005 MG Zs — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 205 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).

1,379 205 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

13.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.98
Avg failures per vehicle
16.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2005 MG Zs

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 73.9%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 70.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 61.4%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 54.7%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 32.3%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 25.1%
    Oil leak
  • 23.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 22.4%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific MG Zs?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — MG Zs:

2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2017 2018 2019 2020