2005 Mg Zt+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,233 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mg Zt+, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.9% in the 150k+ group versus 7.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.9% | 311 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 262 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 249 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 125 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 108 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 105 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 130 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 124 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 107 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 106 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 100 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 80 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.5% | 770 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.5% | 748 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.8% | 465 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 408 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 198 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.7% | 195 |
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 | 65 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 324 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 577 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 591 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 365 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 308 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,117 | 22.1% |
| Diesel | 1,116 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 593 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 518 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 432 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 368 | 22.8% |
| 2025 | 322 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Zt+
Before buying a 2005 Mg Zt+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.9% 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 (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% 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.
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 2005 Mg Zt+s pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 2,233 2005 Mg Zt+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mg Zt+?
Suspension, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.7%).
Does the 2005 Zt+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,233 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.