MOT History from tests of petrol MG MGBs year 1963

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

mot history

Pass percent:79.63%

(The average a petrol MG MGB year 1963 passes without issue)

Based on:2,239 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	81
Headlamp aim out of alignment	60
Registration plate lamp issues	51
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	50
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	42
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	32
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	23
Rear brake binding	20
Rear brake application uneven	19
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	13
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	5
Brake hose damaged	5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	4
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	4
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Registration plate issues	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
rear parking \|secondary\| brakes imbalanced	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	3
Offside Lower Front suspension retaining device ineffective \|2.5.A.4\|	2
Nearside Lower Front suspension locking device ineffective \|2.5.A.4\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	2
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Offside Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Drivers door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	2
Offside rear brake grabbing severely \|3.7.A.5b\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	2
Centre Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	2
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel nut\|s\| loose \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	2
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Front brake application uneven	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
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	81
Headlamp aim out of alignment	60
Registration plate lamp issues	51
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	50
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	42
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	32
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	23
Rear brake binding	20
Rear brake application uneven	19
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	13
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Offside Rear brake drum contaminated by oil \|3.5.1h\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	5
Brake hose damaged	5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	4
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	4
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	4
Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams \|1.7.4b\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Registration plate issues	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
rear parking \|secondary\| brakes imbalanced	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	3
Offside Lower Front suspension retaining device ineffective \|2.5.A.4\|	2
Nearside Lower Front suspension locking device ineffective \|2.5.A.4\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	2
Offside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	2
Nearside Rear Leaf spring to axle securing nut insecure \|2.4.B.7b\|	2
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	2
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Offside Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Drivers door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	2
Offside rear brake grabbing severely \|3.7.A.5b\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	2
Centre Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	2
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel nut\|s\| loose \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	2
Nearside Front coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Lower Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Front brake application uneven	2

MOT History from tests of petrol MG MGBs year 1963

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