Mg B - 1978
131.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1978 is 101.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mg B, model year 1978.
Sample size: 357 cars, 624 tests and 819 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 357 cars
The 1978 MG B has a higher overall defect rate of 131 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 102 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 29% worse than the yearly average. Notably, the model experiences significant issues in categories such as Brakes, Steering, and Visibility, with defect rates exceeding the averages for these categories. Mileage-related trends indicate that defects increase with higher mileage, particularly within the 62,000 to 93,000-mile range. Despite these challenges, the MG B shows some resilience in areas like Equipment and Other defects, reflecting a slightly better performance compared to the average. Overall, this model may require more attention to critical safety components as it ages.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 357 cars
Categories
Brakes
▼ 20.5% worse
35.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- 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
- Flexible brake hose: slightly damaged, chafed or twisted
- 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
Steering
▼ 32.5% worse
15.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.4 / 100 tests
- 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
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
Visibility
▼ 39.3% worse
17.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.2 / 100 tests
- 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
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▼ 25.8% worse
28.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.9 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 25.1% worse
77.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.7 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A wheel bearing: excessively rough
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▼ 36.2% worse
23.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.4 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 42.6% worse
6.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 4.7 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- 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 not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
Other
▼ 34.9% worse
58.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 43.0 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
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: 115
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 52
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 34
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 25
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 24
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 18
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 52
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
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: 7