MG ZT
Registered from 2001 to 2007.
About this model
The MG ZT is a car which was produced by MG Rover from 2001 to 2005. It was offered in saloon and estate versions, the latter designated as the MG ZT-T. Styling is similar to the Rover 75, upon which it was based, although various modifications, most noticeably the wheels and tyres, make for a far sportier ride. Production ceased in April 2005, amidst financial turmoil at MG Rover.
From the Wikipedia article MG ZT, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2004 2.0 diesel. 72 of 239 tests failed, 30%.
Better than 30% of 2004 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 750 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 61% | 44 |
| Brakes | 53% | 38 |
| Lights and electrics | 36% | 26 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 31% | 22 |
| Tyres and wheels | 25% | 18 |
| Body and structure | 17% | 12 |
The defects inspectors cite
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- 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
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Where it stands out against its peers
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 99% of 2004 cars — 31% of its 72 failed tests, where an ordinary 2004 car has 3%.
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.
- Suspension — 61% 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
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Brakes — 53% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Tyres and wheels — 25% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 36% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Seat belts and airbags — 31% of its failures
- Body and structure — 17% 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
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 42% of its inspections, against the 31% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 31% | 28% | 39 | |
| 100–120k miles | 30% | 29% | 43 | |
| 120–140k miles | 31% | 30% | 49 | |
| 140–160k miles | 42% | 31% | 33 |
164 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.