Mg B - 1974
104.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1974 is 115.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mg B, model year 1974.
Sample size: 442 cars, 740 tests and 773 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: 442 cars
The 1974 MG B has an overall defect rate of 104 per 100 vehicles, which is 10% lower than the average for cars of the same year. This model particularly excels in the categories of Lights & Electrics and Body/Structure, showing significantly fewer defects compared to the average, with 22.7% and 14.9% respectively. Notably, the defect rate tends to increase with mileage, peaking in the 31,000–62,000 miles segment, although it remains competitive across most mileage categories. Overall, the MG B demonstrates a reliable performance relative to its peers, particularly in key structural aspects.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 442 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 15.7% better
38.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 45.2 / 100 tests
- 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
- 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
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 14.9% better
14.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.5 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- A steering linkage component: modified to the extent that steering is affected
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 17.4% better
13.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.7 / 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
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 22.8% better
22.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.4 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 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
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 0.3% worse
61.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 60.9 / 100 tests
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A stub axle swivel pin and/or bush: excessively worn
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 32.0% better
14.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.9 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 11.9% worse
12.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 10.9 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- Seat belt retractor not functioning as intended
- A seat belt:
Other
▼ 10.2% worse
31.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.5 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Exhaust emits dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a continuous period of 5 seconds at idle
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
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: 114
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 44
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 42
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 22
A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
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: 20
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 18
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 18
Serious faults (Top 10)
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: 20
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 8