MG ZR
Registered from 2001 to 2006.
About this model
The MG ZR is an MG branded "hot hatch" version of the Rover 25 supermini class car, produced by MG Rover at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham from 2001 to 2005. Compared to the Rover 25, the ZR featured a number of styling modifications and performance enhancements, such as updated sports suspension and a less baffled exhaust.
From the Wikipedia article MG ZR, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2004 1.4 petrol. 177 of 643 tests failed, 28%.
Better than 51% of 2004 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 750 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 47% | 83 |
| Body and structure | 44% | 78 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 28% | 49 |
| Suspension | 23% | 41 |
| Brakes | 22% | 39 |
| Tyres and wheels | 19% | 33 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 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
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Body and structure: failed more often than 92% of 2004 cars — 44% of its 177 failed tests, where an ordinary 2004 car has 23%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Exhaust and emissions — 28% of its failures
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Suspension — 23% of its failures
- 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
- Brakes — 22% of its failures
- Tyres and wheels — 19% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Lights and electrics — 47% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 44% of its failures
- 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
When it starts failing
At 120–140k miles this one fails 19% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 13% | 17% | 38 | |
| 40–60k miles | 28% | 22% | 151 | |
| 60–80k miles | 31% | 25% | 167 | |
| 80–100k miles | 27% | 28% | 135 | |
| 100–120k miles | 31% | 29% | 80 | |
| 120–140k miles | 19% | 30% | 37 |
608 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.