MOT History from tests of petrol MG BGTs year 1978

Review the list of common MG BGT failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MG then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:62.39%

(The average a petrol MG BGT year 1978 passes without issue)

Based on:1,675 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	138
Headlamp aim out of alignment	124
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	77
Registration plate lamp issues	73
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	51
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	49
Rear brake binding	48
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	42
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	37
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	35
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	30
Brake pipe excessively corroded	30
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	27
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	26
Registration plate issues	22
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	21
Rear brake application uneven	20
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	13
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	9
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	9
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	8
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	7
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	5
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	5
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	4
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|4.1.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	3
An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	3
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	3
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	3
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Windscreen washer not working	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	3
Stop lamp not working both \|1.2.1b\|	3
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	3
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	3
Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.2.C.1h\|	3
Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	3
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	3
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	3
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	3
Semaphore indicator switch faulty \|1.4.C.1c\|	3
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|4.1.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Headlamp aim not tested \|4.1.2 \|b\|\|	2
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Rear Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	2
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	2
Nearside Front brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Horn control insecure \|1.6.1\|	2
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	2
Offside Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working side light (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	2
Emissions not tested \|7.3.A.1\|	2
Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	2
Nearside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Offside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring anchor bracket corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.B.6d\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing \|5.2.2a\|	2
Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Offside Front Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Rear Upper Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	2
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of petrol MG BGTs year 1978

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