MG Zt (2002)

3,046 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.6% first-time pass rate

2002 MG Zt

CarHunch analysed 3,046 real MOT records for the 2002 MG Zt. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 7.4% below UK average
72.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
67,396
typical mileage
54,040–82,660 middle half
25.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.62
avg MOT failures per car
over 12.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 MG Zt

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.
  • ⚠️ 25.1% 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 Zt

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 (92%) 2,801 72.8% 3.52
Diesel (8%) 231 70.1% 4.86
LPG (0%) 10 73.6% 3.7
Other (0%) 3 94.4% 0.67
CNG (0%) 1 61.5% 5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 MG Zt 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.

54,040
low mileage
67,396
typical
82,660
high mileage

Half of all 2002 MG Zt vehicles fall between 54,040 and 82,660 miles.

2002 MG Zt — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 135 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

1,498 135 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

12.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.62
Avg failures per vehicle
15.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 MG Zt

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

  • 70.1%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 68%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 63.6%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 62.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 51.3%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 40.1%
    Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
  • 39.5%
    Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
  • 39.4%
    Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific MG Zt?

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

UK

Other model years — MG Zt:

2001 2003 2004 2005 2006