MOT History from tests of petrol MG MGB-GTs year 1971

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

mot history

Pass percent:70.98%

(The average a petrol MG MGB-GT year 1971 passes without issue)

Based on:193 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	12
Registration plate lamp issues	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	4
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	3
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	2
Fuel pipe insecure \|7.2.1\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Offside Front Fluid suspension has no suspension movement \|2.4.D.5\|	1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| insecure only comes on with headlamps \|1.1.A.3a\|	1
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working only comes on with headlamps \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	1
Windscreen has damage	1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	1
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Nearside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced by anti roll bar bracket \|6.1.1 \|c\| \|i\|\|	1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))	1
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	1
Steering system fouling \|2.2.D.2a\|	1
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Steering column locking device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	1
Offside Front Upper Front suspension locking device missing \|2.5.A.4\|	1
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Rear brake application uneven	1
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm inappropriately repaired \|2.4.A.2\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	1
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Nearside Front Brake hose stretched \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	1
Offside Front Brake hose stretched \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	1
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Front engine mounting bracket insecure and likely to fail \|6.1.D.1b\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| insecure \|1.1.A.3a\|	1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|5.2.6\|	1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|5.2.6\|	1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Outer Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	1
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\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	1
Brake pedal has no servo assistance \|3.3.B.2\|	1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is excessively worn \|3.1.5\|	1
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn linkage \|2.7.4\|	1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1
Offside Rear rear brake grabbing severely \|3.7.A.5b\|	1
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	1
Steering column retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	1
Offside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1

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
Headlamp aim out of alignment	12
Registration plate lamp issues	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	4
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	3
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	2
Fuel pipe insecure \|7.2.1\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Offside Front Fluid suspension has no suspension movement \|2.4.D.5\|	1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| insecure only comes on with headlamps \|1.1.A.3a\|	1
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working only comes on with headlamps \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	1
Windscreen has damage	1
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	1
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Nearside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced by anti roll bar bracket \|6.1.1 \|c\| \|i\|\|	1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))	1
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	1
Steering system fouling \|2.2.D.2a\|	1
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Steering column locking device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	1
Offside Front Upper Front suspension locking device missing \|2.5.A.4\|	1
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	1
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	1
Rear brake application uneven	1
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm inappropriately repaired \|2.4.A.2\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	1
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	1
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Nearside Front Brake hose stretched \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	1
Offside Front Brake hose stretched \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	1
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Front engine mounting bracket insecure and likely to fail \|6.1.D.1b\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| insecure \|1.1.A.3a\|	1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|5.2.6\|	1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|5.2.6\|	1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	1
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Inner Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Outer Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	1
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\|	1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	1
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	1
Brake pedal has no servo assistance \|3.3.B.2\|	1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is excessively worn \|3.1.5\|	1
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn linkage \|2.7.4\|	1
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1
Offside Rear rear brake grabbing severely \|3.7.A.5b\|	1
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	1
Nearside Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	1
Steering column retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	1
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	1
Offside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	1

MOT History from tests of petrol MG MGB-GTs year 1971

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