1979 MG Mgb MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Mgb models manufactured in 1979, based on 674 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Mgb cars tested in 1979. Want to see how cars built in 1979 hold up over time?
View 1979 MG Mgb vintage page → (78.4% current pass rate)1979 MG Mgb MOT Analysis
The 1979 MG Mgb has an MOT pass rate of 66.9% based on 674 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 48,669 miles on the odometer. With a 33.1% failure rate, the 1979 Mgb is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 MG Mgb is Noise, emissions and leaks, responsible for 0.7% of failures. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs range from £100–1,000+. Tyres is the second most common issue at 0.6%. Suspension follows at 0.6%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Mgb page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.7% | 5 |
| 2 | Tyres | 0.6% | 4 |
| 3 | Suspension | 0.6% | 4 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Non-component Advisories | 0.1% | 1 |
| 7 | Brakes | 0.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 1 |
| 9 | Steering | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 48,669 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.15 | 0.7% | 5 |
| Tyres | 0.12 | 0.6% | 4 |
| Suspension | 0.12 | 0.6% | 4 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.12 | 0.6% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.03 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.03 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.03 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.03 | 0.1% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.03 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 MG Mgb has an MOT pass rate of 66.9% based on 674 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 48,669 miles on the odometer. With a 33.1% failure rate, the 1979 Mgb is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 MG Mgb, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to noise, emissions and leaks: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help. With relatively low average mileage of 48,669 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.7% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Mgb models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Tyres — 0.6% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Mgb models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Suspension — 0.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Mgb models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.