2002 Mg Zs+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,678 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mg Zs+, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 69.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 39.5% in the 150k+ group versus 22.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.6% | 278 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 238 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 218 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 192 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 80 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 78 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 258 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 155 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 111 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 95 |
| 5 | Joints | 93 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 82 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.1% | 606 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 508 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 407 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 328 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.6% | 194 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 182 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 35 | 22.9% |
| 30-60k | 273 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 524 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 495 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 231 | 35.9% |
| 150k+ | 119 | 39.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,638 | 30.7% |
| Diesel | 40 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 474 | 33.3% |
| 2022 | 389 | 34.2% |
| 2023 | 322 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 272 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 221 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Zs+
Before buying a 2002 Mg Zs+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (16.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (14.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Mg Zs+s pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 1,678 2002 Mg Zs+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mg Zs+?
Brakes, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2002 Zs+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 0-30k band to 39.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,678 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.