Car statistics
MG MGB statistics
How many MG MGBs are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records.
- Licensed in Great Britain 24,630 −1.0% on a year earlier
- Declared SORN 13,115 Off the road, not taxed
- Rank by number licensed No. 216 of 1,159 models we cover
- Peak year 1998 33,212 licensed
- Declared off the road 34.7% of those still registered are SORN
- Most common fuel Petrol 100.0% of those licensed
How many MG MGBs are left in Great Britain?
There were 24,630 MG MGBs licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 13,115 declared off the road (SORN). That is 25.8% fewer than the peak of 33,212 in 1998.
MG MGBs licensed in Great Britain
The highest year-end count was 33,212 in 1998.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 31,440 |
| 1995 | 29,615 |
| 1996 | 32,026 |
| 1997 | 32,639 |
| 1998 | 33,212 |
| 1999 | 32,561 |
| 2000 | 30,797 |
| 2001 | 29,240 |
| 2002 | 27,918 |
| 2003 | 27,031 |
| 2004 | 26,511 |
| 2005 | 25,354 |
| 2006 | 23,465 |
| 2007 | 22,375 |
| 2008 | 20,945 |
| 2009 | 20,479 |
| 2010 | 19,500 |
| 2011 | 19,020 |
| 2012 | 18,737 |
| 2013 | 18,284 |
| 2014 | 18,672 |
| 2015 | 19,256 |
| 2016 | 19,308 |
| 2017 | 19,495 |
| 2018 | 21,236 |
| 2019 | 22,602 |
| 2020 | 23,299 |
| 2021 | 24,437 |
| 2022 | 24,956 |
| 2023 | 24,730 |
| 2024 | 24,997 |
| 2025 | 24,660 |
| 2026 | 24,630 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Fuel type
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
MG MGB MOT reliability
There were not enough MOT tests of MG MGBs in 2025 to publish reliable figures: we need at least 1,000 tests of cars aged three and over. Cars have their first MOT at three years old, so newer models appear once they reach that age. How we work out MOT figures.
MG MGB engine sizes and fuel types
Of the 25,090 MG MGBs licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 89.4% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc, and 5.1% have an engine of 3,501cc to 3,600cc.
Engine sizes, end of 2025
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 22,433 licensed | 89.4% |
| 3,501cc to 3,600cc 1,288 licensed | 5.1% |
| 1,801cc to 1,900cc 612 licensed | 2.4% |
| Other sizes 757 licensed | 3.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 22,428 | 89.4% |
| 3,501–3,600cc | Petrol | 1,287 | 5.1% |
| 1,801–1,900cc | Petrol | 612 | 2.4% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 412 | 1.6% |
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 MGB safety recalls
We found no recalls for the MG MGB in DVSA’s records since 1992. That does not mean none apply: DVSA sometimes records a recall under a range or chassis name we cannot match to a model. Check a specific car on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check.
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every MG MGB. 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.
Compare the MG MGB with other MG models
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 37,745 MGB records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
- Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
- Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
- First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
- Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.