2003 MG Zr MOT pass rate: 69.9% (1,570 tests)
Is the 2003 Zr getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69.8% +5.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 69.1% +4.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 70.7% +4.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 Zr
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 313 | 20.8% |
| 2 | Brakes | 299 | 19.9% |
| 3 | Body, chassis, structure | 234 | 15.6% |
| 4 | Suspension | 191 | 12.7% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 165 | 11.0% |
| 6 | Tyres | 112 | 7.5% |
All Zr years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 (this page) | 1,570 | 69.9% | +4.8 pts | 84,051 |
| 2004 | 1,997 | 69.4% | +5.1 pts | 79,578 |
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FAQs
Is a 2003 MG Zr reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 69.9% of their MOT tests (1,570 tests, 2023–2025), +4.8 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 84,051 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Zr?
The median tested example shows 84,051 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.