MG
ZR
3,632 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where ZRs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 6.8 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
70.7%
Pass-after-fix
4.7%
Fail
23.8%
Avg miles
84,453
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Zr: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 2,979 MOT tests, the Zr returns 68.9% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 84,097, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 12–28
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
12–28
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
239 occurrences · 6.6% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
208 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
140 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 04
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
134 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
124 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
108 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 07
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
86 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 08
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
81 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
78 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
76 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Parts & supplies for this fix
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Buying or keeping a ZR?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a ZR and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.