MOT History from tests of petrol MG BGTs year 1981

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:62.89%

(The average a petrol MG BGT year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:970 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	71
Headlamp aim out of alignment	47
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	36
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	32
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Registration plate lamp issues	28
Rear brake binding	25
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	20
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	18
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	17
Brake pipe excessively corroded	16
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Registration plate issues	11
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	10
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	8
Rear brake application uneven	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	5
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	5
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	5
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	4
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	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
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	3
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	3
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
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\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength \|5.3.6 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Nearside Front Mechanical brake component locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Offside Front Mechanical brake component locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
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\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Nearside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	2
Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	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 Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	2
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	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
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	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.

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	71
Headlamp aim out of alignment	47
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	36
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	32
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Registration plate lamp issues	28
Rear brake binding	25
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	20
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	18
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	17
Brake pipe excessively corroded	16
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Registration plate issues	11
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	10
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	8
Rear brake application uneven	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	5
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	5
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	5
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	4
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	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
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	3
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	3
Rear Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Rear Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
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\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength \|5.3.6 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Nearside Front Mechanical brake component locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Offside Front Mechanical brake component locking device insecure \|3.5.1l\|	2
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
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\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Offside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Nearside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	2
Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))	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 Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	2
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	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
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2

MOT History from tests of petrol MG BGTs year 1981

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