MOT History from tests of petrol MG MGs year 1979

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

mot history

Pass percent:54.21%

(The average a petrol MG MG year 1979 passes without issue)

Based on:1,116 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	124
Headlamp aim out of alignment	112
Registration plate lamp issues	54
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	48
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	46
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	44
Rear brake binding	42
Brake pipe excessively corroded	41
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	40
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	34
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	30
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	29
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	25
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	20
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Rear brake application uneven	17
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	14
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	14
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Registration plate issues	11
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	10
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	10
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	9
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	8
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Front brake application uneven	7
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	7
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Windscreen washer not working	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	5
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	5
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Windscreen has damage	5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	4
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	4
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	4
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	4
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	4
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer missing \|7.2.4c\|	3
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	3
Offside Rear Leaf spring fractured \|2.4.B.1a\|	3
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	3
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	3
Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
All direction indicators not working \|4.4.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Offside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|3.6.C.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring cracked \|2.4.B.1a\|	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Offside Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring splayed and action impaired \|2.4.B.1c\|	2
Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end loose \|2.2.B.1d\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Front Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in an anchor pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	2
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Rear Fuel pipe union leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Wheel nut\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Rear Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.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 Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	2
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Windscreen wiper not working \|3.4 \|a\|\|	2
Nearside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring fractured \|2.4.B.1a\|	2
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	2
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure \|2.7.2b\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	2
Offside Rear Fluid suspension unit leaking \|2.4.D.2\|	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 MGs year 1979

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