MG 3 statistics

• Licensed in Great Britain 52,390 +31.3% on a year earlier
• Declared SORN 606 Off the road, not taxed
• MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 75.0% Cars of the same ages 81.4%
• Rank by number licensed No. 143 of 1,159 models we cover
• Licensed count At its peak highest since 2013
• Average annual mileage 5,931 miles a year

How many MG 3s are left in Great Britain?

There were 52,390 MG 3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 606 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 2013.

MG 3 MOT reliability

In 2025, 75.0% of MG 3 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the MG 3s tested pass 81.4% of the time, so the MG 3 does worse than average for its age, by 6.4 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 75.9%.

MG 3 MOT failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a MG 3 fails its MOT, appearing on 32.7% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.5% of MG 3 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common MG 3 MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a MG 3 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively”, on 11.2% of 6,220 failed tests. 49.2% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

MG 3 by year

9 years of the MG 3, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2014 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (67.3% passed first time) and the 2018 cars worst (72.1%).

MG 3 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 49,655 MG 3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 100.0% have an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc. Petrols made up 100.0% of those licensed in 2014 and 67.8% in 2025.

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

MG 3 fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the MG 3 from 2014, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2020 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 43.3 to 64.2 mpg, with CO2 of 100 to 147 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2014 to 2015), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 48.7 mpg, with CO2 of 136 g/km.

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

• Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
• NEDC figures (in VCA’s data until September 2018) and WLTP figures (from the 2019 guide) come from different tests, so they are shown separately and should not be compared.
• Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “MG3 2021MY”, “MG 3 24MY”, “MG 3 26.5MY HT11 major”, “MG3, MY2013”. How we use VCA’s figures.

MG 3 safety recalls

DVSA lists 2 safety recalls for the MG 3 since 1992, the first in 2021. The most recent was launched on 17 November 2025.

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every MG 3. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

Compare the MG 3 with other MG models