1979 MG Midget MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Midget models manufactured in 1979, based on 2,052 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Midget cars tested in 1979. Want to see how cars built in 1979 hold up over time?
View 1979 MG Midget vintage page → (72.2% current pass rate)1979 MG Midget MOT Analysis
The 1979 MG Midget has an MOT pass rate of 58.7% based on 2,052 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 50,663 miles on the odometer. With a 41.3% failure rate, the 1979 Midget is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 MG Midget is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 0.7% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 0.6%. Brakes follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Midget 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.7% | 15 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.6% | 12 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.5% | 10 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.4% | 9 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.2% | 4 |
| 7 | Visibility | 0.2% | 4 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 2 |
| 9 | Tyres | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 50,663 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.14 | 0.7% | 15 |
| Body & Structure | 0.12 | 0.6% | 12 |
| Brakes | 0.10 | 0.5% | 10 |
| Suspension | 0.09 | 0.4% | 9 |
| Steering | 0.06 | 0.3% | 6 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.04 | 0.2% | 4 |
| Visibility | 0.04 | 0.2% | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 0.02 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.02 | 0.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 MG Midget has an MOT pass rate of 58.7% based on 2,052 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 50,663 miles on the odometer. With a 41.3% failure rate, the 1979 Midget is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 MG Midget, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. At 50,663 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 0.7% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Midget models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Body, chassis, structure — 0.6% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Midget models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Brakes — 0.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1979 MG Midget models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.