Mg B - 1973
111.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1973 is 134.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mg B, model year 1973.
Sample size: 531 cars, 877 tests and 975 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 531 cars
The MG B from 1973 has an overall defect rate of 111 per 100 vehicles, which is notably lower than the average for its year at 134 per 100, representing a 17% improvement. Noteworthy is its performance across several defect categories, particularly in brakes, steering, and body structure, where it significantly outperforms the average vehicle. Mileage-related trends show that defect rates increase with higher mileage, although the MG B remains relatively competitive across all mileage brackets compared to the average. Overall, this model highlights a strong reliability in several key areas, making it a compelling choice for classic car enthusiasts.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 531 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 29.5% better
30.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 43.7 / 100 tests
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 28.1% better
12.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.1 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 20.5% better
10.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.2 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▲ 24.5% better
29.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 38.4 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- 4.3.1 (a) (iii)
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 12.6% better
81.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 93.7 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
Body/Structure
▲ 31.5% better
17.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
Equipment
▲ 29.4% better
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 6.8 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- A seat belt:
Other
▼ 19.7% worse
35.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.5 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 155
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 88
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 59
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 25
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Serious faults (Top 10)
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
4.3.1 (a) (iii)
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 9