MOT History from tests of petrol MG MIDGETs year 1978

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

mot history

Pass percent:60.09%

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

Based on:9,468 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	742
Headlamp aim out of alignment	548
Registration plate lamp issues	448
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	363
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	334
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	268
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	248
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	242
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	233
Rear brake binding	225
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	215
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	213
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	209
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	192
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	165
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	137
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	132
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	131
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	131
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	129
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	113
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	112
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	104
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	101
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	96
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	95
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	90
Rear brake application uneven	86
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	85
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	84
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	83
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	79
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	78
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	76
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	72
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	68
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	68
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	61
Brake pipe excessively corroded	61
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	60
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	59
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	59
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	58
Registration plate issues	57
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	55
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	53
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	52
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	52
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	50
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	49
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	47
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	44
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	43
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	43
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	41
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	40
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	40
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	39
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	39
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	39
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	39
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	38
Windscreen washer not working	38
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	38
Offside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	37
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	37
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	36
Nearside Front Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	35
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	34
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	33
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	32
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	32
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	32
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	31
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	31
Front brake application uneven	31
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	31
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	31
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	31
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	31
Offside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	31
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	31
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	31
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	30
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	29
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	27
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	27
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	27
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	26
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	25
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	25
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	25
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	24
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	24
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	24
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Steering column shaft has excessive end float \|2.1.3\|	23
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	23
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	22
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	21
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	21
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	21
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	20
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	20
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	19
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	19
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	18
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	18
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	18
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	17
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\|	17
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	17
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	17
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	16
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	16
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	16
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	16
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot \|2.7.4\|	15
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	15
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	15
Nearside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	15
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	15
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	15
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	15
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	15
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	15
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	15
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Steering wheel retaining device insecure \|2.1.6\|	14
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Position lamp switch faulty \|1.1.A.1\|	14
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	14
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	13
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	13
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	13
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Axle king pin has excessive play in pin and/or bush adversely affecting the steering \|2.5.A.3a\|	12
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	12
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	12
Offside Rear Leaf spring fractured \|2.4.B.1a\|	12
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\|	12

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.

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MOT History from tests of petrol MG MIDGETs year 1978

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