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.

Last updated
Records analysed
37,745 MGB records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • 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.

MG MGBs licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
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.

MG MGBs licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
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 and fuel together, end of 2025
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

MG MGB compared with other MG models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
MG MGB 24,630 −1.0% 13,115 216 Petrol
MG ZS 131,040 +17.6% 3,153 71 Petrol
MG HS 116,903 +31.2% 332 82 Petrol
MG 3 52,390 +31.3% 606 143 Petrol
MG 4 48,058 +17.5% 213 155 Electric

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
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.