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In-depth Reviews

MG 3 owner reviews

“The MG3 is a characterful and cheap supermini that is severely hampered by a lacklustre engine”

by Carbuyer team
22 Jan 2020
Carbuyer Rating

2.8 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

81%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

  • 5reviews
  • 15reviews
  • 6reviews
  • 39reviews
  • 5reviews

Common Problems

  • Other (5 cases)
  • Brakes, Gearbox / clutch, Suspension, Other (1 cases)
  • Gearbox / clutch (4 cases)
  • Engine (1 cases)
  • Electrics, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 cases)
  • Suspension (1 cases)
  • Gearbox / clutch, Other (2 cases)
  • Electrics, Engine, Other (1 cases)
  • Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 cases)
  • Brakes, Electrics, Gearbox / clutch (1 cases)
  • Electrics (1 cases)
  • Brakes, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 cases)

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Version

5dr

Year of registration

2019

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

39
Review
Absolutely appalling service and quality of car. We have had a car since April. Was scratched when my wife bought it. Few months later, we went on holidays for 2 weeks. The car did not start. The RAC guy jump started car twice and we drove car around for 1 hour. Should have recharged the battery but it went dead the next morning. They just recharged battery overnight said nothing was wrong. This is why we buy a new car so we don't have issues. Alloys are rusting too. During Christmas, the car was sitting on the drive for few days and it failed to start again - same issue. AA guy said battery shot and car draining extra current. MG charged the battery overnight. First lady said they couldn't find the fault, then said there was no fault with the car. We are attempting to reject the vehicle.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3 Style VTi

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

43
Review
The MG3 is probably the easiest car I've ever driven. The steering is perfectly weighted and has plenty of feel, which together with the taut suspension and an almost complete absence of body roll makes for excellent handling and roadholding. Ride comfort is good on all but the most heavily potholed roads, while the brakes won't "stop on a sixpence", are perfectly adequate for the car's needs. The twincam engine initially feels lacklustre but has good flexibility and becomes progressively more responsive as the revs increase. The gear change is neat and precise and fuel economy is very respectable around 42mpg in everyday driving, even better on longer runs. The interior is comfortable and attractive, all round visibility is excellent and the adjustable steering column is a very useful added feature. There is plenty of space for passengers and luggage, and the car is very well equipped for its price with climate control, cruise control, electric mirrors, sensors, bluetooth and a very good DAB radio all fitted as standard. The trim is obviously low budget but looks OK and is no doubt very durable, and the MG themed floormats are a nice touch. The downsides are the clock display, which is too small, the hazard warning light switch is awkwardly positioned next to the handbrake and no boot light is provided, but these are minor niggles and on a car which cost less than five and a half grand despite being less than two and a half years old with barely 13,000 miles on the clock and a full service history to boot, I really can't complain!
Reliability
Have only had the car a short time so probably too early to comment, but there have been no issues thus far, nor at the last service.
Performance
Initially feels sluggish but responds increasingly well as one moves higher up the rev band
Running Cost
Fuel economy is very acceptable, insurance cost is low (group 4), VED what one would expect to pay on a car of this size and specification.

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

37
Review
MG really need to get their act together. The MG3 looks good, handles well and that is really about it. MG seems to simply want to sell the cars and not deal with the warranty problems, especially the clutch and earlier model cam chain issues. Suspension is hard to say the least. The paint is so thin it should not actually be called a coat of paint. It chips really easily. The inside of the car is spacious but, sadly, is of poor quality and after a couple of months, the rattles become a distraction when driving - even the windows rattle when open slightly. Other rattles are still being hunted down but, it seems a new rattle appears every time you open the door and start to drive. Fuel consumption claims are totally inaccurate - I have had my MG3 for 2 years now and have NEVER got the claims made by MG - not even close. Also be aware that if you need spare parts, you could end up waiting MONTHS for parts and some dealers just don't seem to care. Be prepared also for very expensive spare parts prices....£68 - £80 for spark plugs is common....£82 for brake pads is also commonly quoted. A basic service kit can cost over £60 inc VAT. We all know car manufacturers make their money on spares but, for some reason MG seem to be over the top. Weigh up the pros and cons of buying one of these cars, you may well be better off saving a little longer and going for a Honda.
Reliability
Overall - no too bad...
Performance

3 out of 5

Mediocre. Handles well but is gutless and has a poor over revving engine
Running Cost

2 out of 5

Far from matching the mileage claims by MG..

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 3Style

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
Probably the best value car on the road today. What other car offers this much style, handling and equipment for so little money? As spacious as cars from the class above and handling to match any hot hatch, it actually feels more planted than my MG ZS! A lovely smooth gearbox and clutch make this a joy to drive in town or on long distance trips. You even get cruise control, DAB/Bluetooth, auto lights/wipers, hill hold assist and much, much more! The car's design is a breath of fresh air from the usual bland hatchbacks and looks great in any colour. 45mpg can be achieved even when commuting, making this car very cheap to run. The fit and finish and particularly the paintwork is better than many so called 'premium cars'. 35000 miles in my first 20 months and almost fault free (airbag light turned on due to faulty wire, fixed under warranty). If I could change one thing it would be a more powerful engine. The 1.5 in this car is nippy but not particularly fast. Looking forward to see what the next generation MG3 will be like. With how much MG have improved in such a short space of time, it should be a another cracker!

Owner Review

3 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

2017

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
On the first day the clutch pedal stuck down, I was informed by the dealer to pull the clutch pedal up manually. It's now done 3000 miles and still has had the same problem. I have been back to the dealer, they have bled the clutch mechanism, if it happens again I'll be visiting them again. It would be a better vehicle if the clutch was sorted, and I was expecting better economy than 45 MPG.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style lux

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
This is our second MG3 the first was great and so is this one with the addition of stop start. The equipment in the car is excellent. We like the handling and the car is a good fun to drive. The MG3 represents great value for money. Both cars have been reliable our first 14 plate is now used for a daily motorway commute by our son.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
The MG has been a totally brilliant surprise. It handles really well and has a super amount of space given the outside dimensions. The interior is very nicely laid out and its really well equipped. I chose a spectacular orange metallic which looks amazing and appears to mask all dirt. I have really been bowled over how engaging the car is and I would thoroughly recommend you look at it if you want a cheap new car with some style and great handling. The engine is nice although if it had the turbo it would be awesome as it does feel it could handle a bunch more horses!
Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems whatsoever
Performance

5 out of 5

Great handling and good performance although the chassis could take much more oomph
Running Cost

5 out of 5

very happy with 45 mpg TBH and the insurance costs are amazingly low

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3form sport

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

35
Review
Having originally planned to buy the Dacia Sandero, after one visit to the showroom it was a no from me! The MG dealer opposite were offering 0% finance and a £2,000 part ex value on all MG3's (bargain), and after taking out the test drive car I was sold!!! After only planning on purchasing the base model I found the jump in price and spec wasn't that great so plumped for the Form Sport in rose red. Having now only had the car for 72hrs it's brilliant. Yes the ride's a bit firm and yes the engine lacks punch at low revs but it's a smart looking car for under £10k. I was so impressed I managed to convince 2 work colleagues to buy them too. Please don't over look this little gem if your after a well sized super mini with great specifications and cheaper then the Ford Fiesta zetec (which we also own). Congratulations MG motors uk on cheap thrills motoring fun.
Reliability

5 out of 5

It's all good so far.
Performance

5 out of 5

Slight remap or small turbo would help.
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Petrol goes in smiles come out.

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

39
Review
Car sits well on motorway - it does lack a bit of power but comfortable at cruising speed. Worthiness of warranty is another issue altogether. After Engine trouble within warranty period MG refuse to pay as first year dealer service was 3000 miles over recommended 15000. Dealer service manager appalled as timing chain should not have issues so soon and not looked at in first service! Still had to foot the whole bill though and MG wanted more parts changed while they were inside all at my cost! Feel cheated that warranty invalidated but warranty states no mileage restrictions for first year and still they refuse to entertain .

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

2015

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

42
Review
Good handling, engine seems to get quicker as it gains a few thousand miles on the clock. Levels of equipment good and outstanding value for money. Great interior space for size of car.
Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems over 10000 miles so far
Performance
Car has to be worked hard through the gears to get the best out of it, but it pulls strongly and cruises well. The more miles on the clock the quicker the engine seems to get
Running Cost
Running costs are ok getting mid 40s mpg and cheap insurance

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 VTi-Tech 3Style

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
I've not owned the car for very long, I bought it brand new taking advantage of MG's £2,000 minimum part-ex offer. The car is fantastic, fully loaded, fun and nippy. As others have said the car can seem sluggish, but once you learn how to use the gears it is pretty quick and I traded a Golf GTI in for this!

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2014

Bought Car

New
Review
I have had my MG3 a month and can't fault it at all. It's a fantastic car, modern, stylish and great to drive. It has lots of space inside and great boot space too. All in all I'm more than happy with my MG3. Well done MG!!!!

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Sport

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
What a great little car. I had mine direct from the works. I live near the works and the service was excellent. The price, well it will not make a big dent in the bank. Very pleased and happy so far.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

MG 6 Top model

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

51
Review
For Some reason the MG 6 is not an option on the review list I bought mine with 26k on the clock and paid under 5k, with all the gadgets I think that’s amazing as for a same spec car I be paying £2.5k more. So far I’m very happy with the car The dashboard and all the toys I love, the sat nav is decent and good quality screen, heated seats are superb and everything is set out well. Reverse camera not best quality, however I have never had one before so I find it really useful, despite it not been amazing. Phone connection easy to set up as is using the AUX system to play music through my phone. Comfortable ride and smooth with enough power for what I need. Seats are nice and good leather too. I’m averaging around 50mpg which is a mix of half motorway driving and running around on the normal roads. Only minor gripes I have: The charging port has no storage near it so if I’m charging my phone, I have to put it in arm rest holder with it open or shut over wires, which is a tad annoying. The key is a flimsy piece of plastic and imo a poor effort when I feel rest of car is good quality.
Reliability

4 out of 5

So far so good but not had it long enough to have a proper opinion
Performance

4 out of 5

Love it , handles well ,nippy and comfortable to drive Not fastest car I have had but far from slowest
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Really cheap £63 to fill tank and averaging 50mpg and more on a run

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 3Form Sport

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
My MG 3 is a great car, very comfortable, a fun and easy drive with a spacious interior. Mpg is good both on motorway and around town.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3Style+

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

41
Review
I would 100% recommend this car! For the price the equipment you get is unbelievable. I can only speak of my own experience with regards to customer service which have been excellent. I have been unable to fault the car at all for what it costs. Yes it is not as good as a class leader or some of the more established brands but you are paying much less.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5vvti

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

48
Review
Oh wow what a car. Why have I been buying Fiestas and Polo for years? Best car I have owned. Go try one. Outstanding.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Form sport

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Review
Fantastic car, never let us down despite being used for everything from commuting to Pan-European jaunts. Drives well, handles well, recommended. Those that have prejudices about it's country of origin just need to get out and try one.
Reliability
Spot on so far - currently 40K miles.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
This car is fabulous and a thousand times better than my previous car which was a Fiat Punto. The size is very similar but the MG 3 is more comfortable, more reliable, better equipped and with a 1500cc engine is more powerful too. One thing worth mentioning is how comfy the seats are. Having had the car for a year now I can say it is so reliable it is like a sewing machine and never misses a beat. The performance and handling are fun and lively giving a good driving experience. This car is far better than many cars which cost several thousand pounds more. I was going to by a VW Polo but frankly I just preferred the MG3

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Form Sport - Start Stop

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
Forget what the "experts" say, this is a really great car to own and drive. We bought an ex-demo model from our local MG dealer with 1,000 miles on the clock and first year of depreciation dealt with. Clearly if MG start to market more aggressively, we shall see more of their cars on the roads. In the meantime however, I am very happy to be driving a quality car from a quality provider and not be driving around in what everyone else is driving around in. Be different and be happy!

Owner Review

3 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3 Style Lux

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

42
Review
Great looking car with fantastic feel and handling. Engine is punchy , if pushed. Being the top model, mine came with excellent extras, which are very pleasing and useful. Downside - notchy gear change . Clutch judder, and small annoying rattles from the cheap looking hard plastic dash. Overall, if I can get these issues sorted, then i'll have great looking, rare and practical car !

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Review
Love my MG3. Yes, the MPG is poor - but given that it was 5-6000 GBP cheaper than a comparable Fiesta or Fabia, I won't be losing out till I've covered 400,000 miles. The engine keeps getting better the more miles it accumulates. The ride and handling are better than any small car I've driven. The seats are very comfortable. Leather (OK, "manmade" leather - just like a mercedes) air con, cruise control, loads of space inside for under £10k. Bargain. It's not perfect - the A-pillars are a bit thick, the gear knob is not nice, and there is a small void at the rear of the side skirts which collect gravel from driveway. And I wasn't overly impressed with the choice of colours.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 VTI lux style

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

44
Review
I bought this Car on its looks and price, I bought the top of the range model it has so many features if you bought another supemini with equivalent equipment it would cost another 8k The quality of the shut lines and feel of the doors when you close them is good. The ride quality is a lot better than the ratings suggest and on country roads it's like a hothatch. The leather seats are of excellent quality the engine comes in for criticism however its fast for what it is quiet and in the power band very quick it's an excellent car and I have owned many. I read it had come 10th in the JD power survey of reliability and I'm not surprised.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style 5 door

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
This is my second MG3 and I love it. I use this car mainly for everyday running around although I have driven to France on holiday. If I had to say a negative about the car I would say the radio is not good - it keeps fading in and out of stations. Happened on my first MG as well. But as for the car itself, it's a good all rounder and a high standard for the price.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3Form

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
Absolutely fantastic car with many bells and whistles. It looks great, I've not had it long but I already know that it will be faithful and rewarding. MPG will improve as I learn the tricks of the trade! I collected it from the works at Longbridge, got the tour - brilliant! I can reccomend the service of Simon Bennett - first came into contact at the Picadilly showroom - unexpected place to find a showroom! This car will soon be getting rave review, even from the somewhat snobbish motoring press.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
Excellent car looks good no problems has every extra I could want for a little down on power but can get that sorted with an ecu remap even with out this it is still quite fast. Good handling but I do have the option of traction control I did buy the top of range with all the bells and whistles. Would I recommend absolutely.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

FORM SPORT

Year of registration

2018

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

36
Review
Why do people keep giving this car bad reviews I do not know. I have had my MG3 3Form Sport for two years now, and it's a great fun to drive, it holds the road round corners like an old mini. It does not hang about, it love motorways at a steady 70-80 mph all day long and I know, as I have driven all over England in it. The seats hold you in nicely when going around corners and are a nice place to be, and it looks great too! I bought mine for just over £11,000, if i had bought a GOLF GT it would have cost me £20-23000. One other thing this is a high revving drivers car, not a slow shopping car.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Superb, never lets me down and starts first time winter spring or summer.
Performance
Rev it have fun its great, its not a GTI but who cares.
Running Cost
Ins low, car tax low, MPG not bad about 36-38 a little less when your having fun driving it.

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Year of registration

2018

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
I haven't had this car long and I won't for much longer. Have not been happy with the car since I purchased it. Parts take ages to arrive as they come from Germany (or so I was told). I am not content with this car and I am constantly waiting to see what is going to be an issue next.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 3Style+

Year of registration

2018

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

47
Review
This my second MG3, replacing a 65 reg version and I have found no fault with either, apart from the ride being rather hard on our badly maintained roads. On good road surfaces, the car is exceptionally good with precise steering and a quiet, comfortable ride,

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 style

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

30
Review
Despite the mixed reviews about this car, I personally have found it to be a reliable little hatchback that excels at getting from A to B. That being said, it isn’t a quick car. However, this little hatchback handles excellently round town and is fast enough for a new driver. This car is a perfect learner car due to the light clutch, easy use gearbox and smooth pull aways, this was my first car and I thoroughly enjoyed it! That being said, the build quality, specially the plastics isn’t great but that is reflected in the small asking price! The fuel economy is awful as a result of needed to rev the bugger to get anywhere! I wouldn’t call myself a boy racer but I still only get 30mpg average
Reliability
I’ve had very few issues with this car...
Performance
0-62 in 10 seconds isn’t awful for a learner car but it’s not exactly quick, if you have all the seats occupied by passengers it slows dramatically.
Running Cost
Not very fuel efficient, but the large tank allows for decent length trips

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 3Form Sport

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

39
Review
I bought this little smasher on a whim. It's one of the best decisions i've ever made car wise. It's packed with lots of equipment you don't always get in other marques' high spec cars, it certainly was and still is value for money. Its great fun to drive, eye catching and the styling makes it different from your standard small car. Its ride and comfort are pretty decent, even on a long run. Handling, especially in the corners is top notch, very sharp and great feedback through the steering wheel. The engine? Hmm, well, MG could surely have done more with it to be fair but obviously if I was looking for a pocket rocket it would have cost me significantly more. Its a decent enough lump and fuel economy is very decent on a run and around town. To get the best out of it you have to work it hard but the rewards are decent, however fuel economy suffers slightly. Visilibilty is excellent, the DAB radio is spot on and myself and my partner find it a whole heap of fun to drive.

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

Vti-Tech 1.5 Manual

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Review
I bought this car used from an MG dealer. I arranged for a test drive of the car I wanted to purchase and they gave me a brand new one to try instead, something I've never experienced before when buying a car. Anyway, I was impressed for the money and it looks good and has some good features and is roomy. However, its a bit quirky. The clutch judders when pulling away until the engine warms up and windows seem to steam up. The petrol consumption isn't great but it's generally nice to drive. However, I don't think much of the 130 point vehicle check that's done before the car is handed over. I found out that after having a puncture the tyre had had a temporary repair previously and the tyre specialist said I was lucky I hadn't had a blow out. I have been on motorways, very scary. Customer services when I contacted them said that they don't check the tyres in that much detail, and if they look ok then that's as far as they go. My advice is to get the car checked yourself. I spoke to another MG owner and she said she was told just learn to live with it after she took her new car back 3 times to same place with regards to the clutch problem. It's a bit disappointing to find such a lack of customer care so I won't be buying another one.
Reliability
Reliable so far, it starts in cold weather with no problem
Performance

3 out of 5

Performs well when cruising and handles well
Running Cost

2 out of 5

Insurance and road tax are reasonable but petrol consumption is not

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
Fantastic car, great economy and handling. Very cheap to buy, run and insure, especially for 2 learner drivers. Great around town, but lots of extras like cruise control for motorway driving too.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style

Year of registration

2013

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

32
Review
Looks great. Well built. Excellent paintwork. Totally reliable - I've only had two small faults and they were quickly sorted out by the dealer. Lovely drive, as long as you don't expect it to be a hot hatch. One of the best gearbox/clutch systems I've had in 55 years driving. Comfortable, very roomy and well equipped. My only gripe is fuel consumption. It is impossible to beat 40 mpg other than by driving very gently in light traffic.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Excellent.
Performance
No hot hatch! Unless you use a lot of revs, it's rather slow. Always need one gear lower than one might expect.
Running Cost
Poor mpg doesn't help, but everything else is excellent.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

43
Review
I previously reviewed this car but want to add a comment! I was going to study the manual today in the hope of being able to alter the clock now we are on winter time. Imagine my delight when my clever little car had only gone and done it all by itself!
Reliability

3 out of 5

So far so good.
Performance
Comfortable, responsive, handles well.
Running Cost

4 out of 5

So far so good.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Plus Lux

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

43
Review
I couldn't get a good deal with any of the big dealers (Renault, Citroen etc) when I wanted to exchange my 4 year old Clio, so went to an independent local garage and purchased a pre-registered MG3 with 20 miles on the clock and a good discount. My 'street cred' has really gone up, especially with the guys! "An MG ? Wow!" It is 2 months old today, and I am loving it! I've had only a few problems - it does what it says on the tin. The lights come on automatically, as do the wipers. The leather seats are very comfortable and the floor mats extremely good quality. My USB stick which I used in my Clio doesn't work as it is in the wrong format, but what the heck, I can listen to the radio or play a CD. The heater/ demister is very easy to use. (Could never see the controls on the one in my Clio.) Ok, so petrol consumption could be better but I was expecting this, and having saved thousands originally against another make of car I'm not too concerned. I got about 46 on a longer journey recently. I've bought a paint touch up and covered a couple of pebble chips on the bonnet. It's quite nice not seeing lots of other MG3s on the road- one passed me on the motorway yesterday. I feel like I've taken a bit of a gamble, but so far it is paying off nicely!

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Review
I bought the car from a garage at 6 months old with 1700 miles on the clock, it had been a demonstration car. For the past 20 years I have had expensive German cars ie 2 BMW 320s, an Audi A3 & lastly a VW CC but I have reached the point in life when having a status symbol car was not important and I just want to get from A to B and to save some money. The MG3 looks a bit different from what you normally see on the road – it's a bit more distinctive. Mine certainly is as it has an orange stripe and orange decals. I get some stick at work for having a teenagers car but it catches the eye and I often see kids looking at the car which they would never do to a BMW, Audi or VW as they are just too commonplace. I do a high mileage with long distances so I still needed something reliable and as the JD Power rating and other on-line feedback is generally very good I went for it. I am very glad i did as 25,000 miles later I have had no problems at all. It is not fast in its acceleration but it cruises very happily at 70+ mph. It would be good in future if the engine could sound a bit more raucous when accelerating but the plus point is there is no engine noise at all when cruising. How does it compare to the far more expensive German cars - well the doors don't close with the same satisfying thud and it feels a bit tinny but it is a cheap car. It has so far been just as reliable as the BMWs, Audi & VW which is not really a surprise as the same company who make MG's SAIC also make several million VW's & General Motors cars in China so they know how to make cars well. I did once go to the garage as the engine warning light came on and I feared the worst but it seems this was just a quirk in that if you turn the ignition on too quickly the management system doesn't complete all its checks. Talking of garages my MG garage does not have the banks of beautiful receptionists, coffee machines, magazines and a glass wall I can see into the service bays but then again the cost of my last service was £145.00 which was less than the cost of fitting a replacement headlight bulb in the Audi garage and best of all I spoke to the mechanic when I picked the car up from the service who cheerfully told me the things he had tightened up, sorted the wires under the passenger seat as the seatbelt light might have come on etc. U can assure you you never get near a mechanic at the premium car garages & the cost is far more as those banks of nice receptionists all have to be paid for! In short I am a very happy owner & my wife's car is due for replacement soon but she has always been a Vauxhall Meriva owner & is looking at the new Vauxhall Crossland. I though will be working on showing the thousands we could save by buying an MG and will be persuading her to consider the new MG XS! 5 out of 5 from me for the MG3!

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

3 Style Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

36
Review
I am a little confused about this rating system here. A lot of people who have made reviews have only had their cars for a short while and so, any real review is pointless from them. However, to try to be fair and honest, there are a lot of things that people are not being told about the MG3. Yes, it is a very competitively priced car and yes, it is a nice looking car but, those two things alone should not persuade you to buy this car. Consider the known issues that have come to light and the fact that MG, knowing of these issues and faults, does very little to put them right. Let me start with the clutch problems on many of the cars. Very poor clutch on the car and you will often find the car jerking and juddering away from a standing start due to this fault. Next is the cam chain and tensioner fitted to the model. There have been several faults with these and MG have once again been either very slow or completely uncooperative in repairing under warranty, even on low mileage cars. This is not good enough. The paint on the 3 range is also somewhat suspect and is very thin in places and again, MG seem reluctant to fix these problems. Some owners have had the paint literally become see through after several polishes and some have pitting in the paint. Now let me go to the fuel consumption. This seems to be absolutely made up by some guy in an office trying to justify his existence. There is no way on earth my car has ever gotten close to the claimed figures for fuel consumption. The fact that the engine is designed by the same guy who designed the K Series Rover engine should tell you lots. That engine was poor to say the least and leaked, broke down and had head gasket issues all the time. Say no more on that one, they do not seem to have learnt from the previous errors in engine design. I know that faults can occur but that is not the issue here, the issue is the fact that MG do not always honour the warranty and indeed, there are cases where owners have had clutches fail in on a short space of time with low mileage and MG refused to repair the car and the bill for repair to the owner ran into hundreds of pounds. MG really need to get the act together on these problems. Next, be prepared to wait a LONG time for certain spares if your car should need them. Some people wait weeks for a spare part. Would I recommend this car to anyone, no, not really. I would advise you to save a little bit longer and go for a Honda or the like. Do I like driving the MG3? yes I do, the handling is superb, it looks nice but, the ever increasing fault list and the way MG deal with these faults (or don't deal more like) is a worry and the way it devalues should also be taken into account.
Reliability

3 out of 5

Be warned, the clutch is an issue on the MG3 and so is the cam chain and tensioner. These can go at any time and MG do not always honour the warranty.
Performance

2 out of 5

Nippy, Yes! Fast, No. Handles well though in the bends but, the car is let down badly by a very annoying over revving in the lower gears, more noticeable in first gear, the revs do take an age to drop back to normal.
Running Cost

3 out of 5

There is some guy sitting in an office making up figures for the mileage costs. Parts are overly expensive, IF you can get them. Brake pads alone can cost up to EIGHTY FIVE POUNDS.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 VTI STYLE

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

40
Review
This car is massively under rated. It's nice to drive the engine is quiet, it's nippy. Im 6ft3 and I can fit behind me. It's just a brilliant little car with a lot of character. A lot of my friends have said it'll be rubbish – until they looked at it and drove it. They saw what it was. A cheap, sporty, inexpensive little car that offers a lot more than it needs to. Super happy!

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3Form sport

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

43
Review
Great little car, spacious, good styling and performs well on the commute to work. The air con is the best I've ever had in any of my cars. Minor issue with heater control which was resolved under warranty.
Running Cost
Tax is expensive for a 1.5 litre engine. Servicing seems reasonable, fuel costs are what I'd expect around 380 miles to a full tank and coating between £45-£50.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3 Form sport

Year of registration

2017

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

2000
Review
I bought the MG3 on price without a test drive much against all the bad press it has had from the so-called motoring press expert reviewers and I must say it has met all my expectations. It's a great little car. I like being different from the crowd, it's nice to drive a car that you don't see very often. I am glad I bought it

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

mg3

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

44
Review
This is my second MG3 first bought new in 2014 updated to new model 2016, very good equipment wise, top of the range vehicle acceleration improves with the more miles you do. Mine is very quick and will hold it's own against vehicles of similar engine size. It's roomy inside, very well finished. Doesn't look cheap and nasty as some other cars do. You have a choice of how the vehicle looks on the outside. It copes well with motorway speeds, too. Would i recommend to a friend? yes! But then I am an MG fan for over 40 yrs.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
Whilst I'm only a few months into my ownership of this smashing little car, so far I am amazed at how much a pleasure it is to own, & drive. The equipment & styling are excellent, the engine (the element that the 'auto-industry press' seem least impressed with) whilst sometimes seems a 'tad' sluggish at first at low/intermediate revs, is improving all the time (feels like a different car now after 1500miles!). I frequently carry a bike rack with 2 adult & 2 children's cycles on the boot & there is decent enough torque that I keep forgetting that they are on the back ! Try doing that with one of its rivals - so little bhp on some I test drove- I wouldn't have had a hope! My previous car was an old little A-class that I had for ages, & loved. I called it a Tardis - great looks/great to travel in/tiny on the outside/massive on the inside... Well this car ticks all the same boxes, but lets face it a brand new A class ( which aren't really Tardis's anymore anyway!) with this level of equipment would have cost way more than double (that's a lot extra for a car that's maybe only 20% better) & frankly well out of my budget. Verdict - Result!! All in all, an exceptional new car but for a second-hand price. Best of all none of this PCP hassle, they can do 0% for 5years to pay it off ENTIRELY

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3Style 90th Limited Edition

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
I bought this car about a month ago. I can't believe the features given the price, and I love how it drives. The steering and road handling are faultless. It's not as responsive as some of its more expensive competitors, but if you know how to work through the gears, it goes like a bullet. For the price, this car is much better than it has any right to be! Don't believe the detractors. Try one for yourself.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 Style 5dr

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

46
Review
Really impressed with the MG3. The cabin is spacious with an uncluttered dashboard. Outside, the styling is well thought out and stands out from the crowd. Specification is high and considering the purchase price is class-leading. The car feels well-built and the engine is willing. The boot is a good size and has a nice solid close. Overall the car is an enjoyable drive, thank you and well done MG!

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Version

1.5 VTi-TECH 3Time

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
We picked our new car up on monday 28 July. We drove the car less than five miles and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. We managed to get back to dealership and the car was taken away for repairs. We were left for 1 hour on our own then the fitter appeared and said it was a lubrication problem and would not happen again. On Friday August 1 it happened again and it has sat outside our house for 4 days now unable to be used. Not even a sorry from the dealership. Would I buy another one? Never. all we want is our money back
Reliability
Let us down
Performance
Only done 100 miles
Running Cost
Only done 100 miles

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 4 door sport

Year of registration

63

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
I have had the MG3 Sport for just under 2 weeks and think it is fabulous. I wanted an economical car with decent spec at a good price. Fiesta with same spec would have cost about £2500 more. I am 60 years old soon and British so wanted to support British Industry, have an iconomic name on the car, and drive around in something which is quite a rare sight. MG3 ticks all boxes. I am not at all interested in 0 - 60, nor top speed, I want to be comfortable and enjoy my driving, MG3 ticks the boxes. If you live near Manchester try Michael Edwards in Wigan who were brilliant with me, not pushy at all. Finally, they will not be rare on the road for long so get one now and feel special for awhile like I do.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Exclusive

Year of registration

2018

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

46
Review
This is a great car and is my second MG 3. Good value and very reliable. I've not had any issues with this car, or with my previous MG 3. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a car. Insurance is also cheap which is a bonus.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Very good
Performance

4 out of 5

Nippy and quick enough
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Cheap to run

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Review
At first all was okay but this year the fuel pump failed. It cost a fortune and I had to wait weeks before it could be replaced, then the radiator failed and cost another £400 to get fixed. I tried to get support from MG but nothing was forthcoming.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

45
Review
Great car! Runs perfectly, it is secured with an immobiliser/alarm/ and deadlocks. It's cheap but cheerful I recommend it.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Great reliability, never had anything go wrong with it but it has a hard suspension.
Performance
Punchie 1.5 engine is quick when you put your foot down
Running Cost

5 out of 5

Great cheap little car

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3 Form sport

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

36
Review
I upgraded from a 1-litre Citroen C1 and very happy with my MG. Some of the owner reviews on here are a joke as they have never actually spend any real time with the car. I use mine for everything from long journeys south to north, commuting to and from work, picking my niece up from school and escorting my friend's race team to the tracks carrying tyres wheels spare parts you name it and it has not let me down at all. Living in London it's not always the best for fuel but if I wanted something economical i would have got a Prius. I would 100% recommend a 3 any day

Owner Review

3 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

2014

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

30
Review
Great little car, great value for the money just very poor fuel economy let's it down.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style lux

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

40
Review
Overall this is a really good car, very comfortable, relatively quiet on the motorway and great fun on more twisty roads. Interior - there is loads of room inside and I mean loads. My 6ft son sits comfortably in the back. There's lots of room in the boot for his and our gear. I'm surprised to see some reviews criticising the interior plastics. I've been in a number of cars and to be honest if say it was pretty average. The controls are easy to use and the driving position is good. Only real criticism of the interior is the stereo. The DAB only works periodically, however that may me due to my living on the west coast of Scotland. FM is ok but does sometimes randomly retune! That being said it pairs beautifully to my wife's upline so all is forgiven. Exterior I like it. Ok it looks similar to the Skoda Fabia and the like but maybe that is not a bad thing? It looks well balanced, had great alloys and colour coded mirrors. Did I mention the MG initials on the head lights? They look cool!! Would I buy another one? Yes, without a doubt

Owner Review

2 out of 5

Version

Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Review
How do I go about this review without sounding overly critical. To start with, it handles well. is moderately nippy/fast, is pleasant on the eyes and fairly solid and that is where the good points end sadly. It has many issues and you really need to be aware of these issues before buying an MG3. To start with, the MG warranty is basically a worthless piece of paper - it states 3 years but, MG have manipulated the wordings within the warranty contract and that allows them to 'cherrypick' what they repair and what they don't entertain. For example the dealer will tell you it is a 3 year warranty but, MG have re-worded the contract along the lines of, we reserve the right to make changes to the warranty and by buying this car, you agree to those terms. Notably, they have shortened the terms for repair of clutch failures/problems down to 2 years. The MG3 has, for a long time had an issue with clutch failures/problems and MG do not seem to want to make good the fault and in some cases, it appears to be a postcode lottery as to whether or not they will authorise repairs. Some clutches have failed in only a few thousand miles. So, be warned. Next, the paint on the cars is quite poor, looks lovely when it is all polished but, it is incredibly thin and this is noticeable on the hood/bonnet front leading edges. A small piece of grit will chip the paintso, be warned - get a colour matched paint stick. The claimed mileage MG tell you is, well, somewhat of a dream in cloud cuckoo land. I have never been able to get near their claims - 37 - 38 miles per gallon is about it. Whilst I like the drive of the MG3 and the way it handles, the only real advantage it has over other cars is the price and that is a lot cheaper than the nearest Ford but, you get what you pay for and the longer you own the car, the more things you find that a re not right and should have been rectified by MG a long time ago. Sorry to say it but I would not recommend buying one of these until they sort out their poor Customer Service and they learn to sort out their warranty handling.
Reliability
Seems OK
Performance

3 out of 5

Handling good, top speed..not so much..
Running Cost

2 out of 5

Nowhere near what is claimed by MG on MPG....so, running costs are a bit more than you would expect

Owner Review

3 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5VVTI

Year of registration

2013

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

38
Review
This car has its pros and cons in many contrasting ways. The main con of this car is for a 1.5 to put out 105bhp and 137nm of torque it isn't exactly the most powerful engine. MG definitely didn't think much about the variable valve timing injection on the engine either as this doesnt really help the acceleration side of things. The max torque area is between 4-5.5K revs which means you use a lot of fuel if you want to go anywhere quick. The biggest pro about this car however is the remarkable handling. This car will take corners beautifully and definitely is more value for money in terms of handling than bigger-selling models like the Fiesta. I enjoy taking it around the A507 for fun and it grips amazingly for its price. The other con, which affects me and a small market, is the lack of modifications you can do to this car. I'm not just talking about performance mods either. You cant even change the gear stick or stereo! Give it its due the stereo is good. As well as there not being any mods, performance wise, other than an exhaust, ITG flat bed filter and injection cables, there is near enough no support on the internet on maintenance. One of my rear speakers has a rattle and i want to change it, but without taking it apart or speaking to a garage there is literally no advice on what parts to get! Overall i would say this car is very nice, comfy and sporty in corners but lacks a lot of power and ability to personalise interior, exterior and performance with modifications which is a personal let down, others may not be wanting to do that which is fine for them.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5 5dr VTI

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
I've had my MG 3 a few weeks and can't believe the quality for the price. This car is not up to VW standards but you're not paying their prices. I bought this car for my wife for driving to work, I own a new Fiesta and yes the Ford is better more refined, but it's not £5000 better. We're well pleased with this not so small MG 3, good styling plenty of room, good finish inside and out fine plenty of kit. Give this manufacturer a little more time and I think other car makers will have to raise their game on standard kit and prices .

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

3 Style

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

39
Review
I have had my MG for around 5 months it's done 5,000 miles, so 1,000 a month roughly. I drive it every day and it's always done me proud. When I got the car there wasn't many around in my area but since then I have noticed a sharp increase in there numbers. I'm 19 and this is a great car for people young and old alike! Being young I find it responds really well and it packs a big punch when you learn how to use the gears in the car. I find this also gives the feel of the racing car which the MG name comes from. The top model car that I have comes with so many extras it wipes the floor with competitors. On long trips out it's also very relaxing to drive and never disappoints. I would recommend this car to anyone my age or older. This is a drivers car no matter anyone has to say about it!. My only regret is I didn't get the leather interior — I would recommend this!
Performance

5 out of 5

Drive it properly and you will easily outrun anything in its class
Running Cost

5 out of 5

It is what you make it

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

lux

Year of registration

2017

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used
Review
DAB radio has a mind of its own , when you turn the car on the DAB station reverts to classic and when trying to tune to a local bbc radio station it cannot find it for a long time, going over a small bump could change the dab to some other station...... get it sorted MG
Reliability
ok
Performance
ok gotr a small car
Running Cost
ok

Owner Review

2 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

28
Review
My MG3 is lovely to look at, handles well and has great features - bluetooth, auto lights, DAB etc. But thats . The paint is awful, anything, and I mean ANYTHING will chip the paintwork. The engine over-revs in first, no matter if cold or hot. The car will judder in first majority of the time too. The fuel consumption is absolutely shocking. I have no idea where they get their figures from, its ludicrous really. I drive motorways, and around town, and never got more that 30MPG. The airbag light decides to come on and off as it wants, and yes, I have replaced the under seat sensor - 3 times. Parts are stupidly hard to get, and far too overpriced. The car may be cheap and "affordable" to buy, but just wait a few years down the line and watch it all add up! - I'll be selling this heap soon and buying something worthwhile.
Reliability

3 out of 5

I suppose you could say its reliable, it starts every morning.
Performance

3 out of 5

Drives well most of the time. Bad clutch, Bad gearbox- just poorly made.
Running Cost

1 out of 5

Shocking, fuel consumption is awful and parts cost too much.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.5

Year of registration

65

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

34
Review
Third gear is useless on a motorway slip road, I usually go to high revs in second then straight to fourth. Other than that, it's a really nice car. I would have another.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
I have owned my MG3 for three years. I also own a BMW 5 series and decided to purchase the MG3 because I wanted a cheap car that would run up lots of mileage. My work commute is 110 miles a day. I have to say that there are a lot of positives about this car. It handles very well and is great fun to drive on twisty country roads, and you do get a lot for your money. I purchased the top of the range model which for about £11k included leather seats, cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth etc. I also paid extra for a spare wheel as I am old fashioned and prefer this if something should go wrong. I like the styling of the car and it is roomy for a small car with split rear seats and there is plenty of room for 4 adults. I have found it to be reliable, and the only time I broke down was when I drove over a new and big pothole in a poorly lit road which caused a flat on one tyre and damaged the rear. I was grateful for the spare that night. On the negative side the engine starts of a bit lacking in oomph and torque, but I have driven cars that have weaker engines. Also, and importantly, the engine improves significantly as you run up the miles and it has got a lot better. The fuel consumption is a bit disappointing. I do a lot of motorway mileage and the best I get is about 40mpg. There have also been some niggles. The first was a passenger airbag warning light and I was told that this was a faulty connection which was eventually fixed. The second has been the very occasional drop of water getting in the through the driver’s side window in heavy rain, but this has not been significant enough for me to take back as it is hardly an issue. I have also experienced the occasional clutch judder but this is not something that has bothered me too much. I have had a problem with the rear windscreen demister and I will take it back to be re-soldered which is a pain and shouldn’t really happen in a recently made car. However, for the money I think it is a good purchase. It’s also a low insurance group so I will be keeping it for my son to use once he passes his test.

Owner Review

1 out of 5

Version

1.5 VTI Form Sport

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
The MG3 is actually a really poor car, unfortunately having been in a few owner groups and forums, the people who say any different are a misty eyed folk longing for the past when Britain had a car industry and how the MG3 needs TLC as if its an old classic, accepting major faults as part of the cars charm. The MG3 is not an old classic and the SAIC Chinese MG brand is not the great British institution people want it to be. Since owning my car in 2015, I have had various problems with the electrics, the clutch, the radiator and brakes. MGs warranty service is worse than useless, leaving me without a car for days to be told that they wont pay for faults which should not exist on a car less than 2 years old. I have even gone to the UK head office to state my case only to be fobbed off. It is not unique to my car, various people especially with the 2015 plate car have major timing chain issues that MG turn a blind eye to, and owners of all years seem to have problems with juddery clutch or gearbox problems, which I have been fobbed off about 3 different times. Final straw for me was the radiator splitting at 35,000 miles and MG not really being interested, offering to see the car in 2/3 weeks after the event and offering no alternative car in the meantime, I bought a new car for reliability but this has proven the least reliable car I have ever had and MG do not care about their customers. Comfort is ok but the plastics scratch so easily and the seats are not that comfortable, DAB radio doesnt really work and the 1.5 engine has draw dropping performance as you wonder in amazement how little power the Chinese managed to get out of it! The core fanbase will say about how MG is making such an impact in the UK by all these brands they are now outselling, but when you drill into it they are outselling premium brands (Maserati, Aston etc) but only selling around 6% of the volume of rivals such as Kia and less than 20% of the sales of Dacia over a 12 month period suggests they wont be in the UK much longer. If MG are serious they need to treat customers with a bit more respect. Once the core fanbase who are harping for the good old days have got bored or gone, nobody will be interested.
Reliability

1 out of 5

least reliable car I have ever owned, I have paid less than a thousand for run about cars which are more reliable than this car i bought brand new
Performance

2 out of 5

the engine is very poor for a 1.5, despite paying out for performance exhausts, filters etc to try and make it a little less asthmatic, its crap
Running Cost

2 out of 5

MPG nowhere near the stated figures, 380miles on a 38 litre fill up MAXIMUM!

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
All I can say is that as my 75th car the MG3 can certainly hold its own. I've encountered no problems and it seems to just get better. The seating, ergonomics and handling the strong points. Equipment levels well up to and beyond the competition. It's no fireball but at insurance group 4 and with roads as they are it certainly keeps up with the best. The paintwork is on a par with much more expensive machinery and thestyling will stay the course for some time yet. I do think the handling could be relaxed a little to benefit the ride on average roads. Dropping a wheel size would probably do it. All in all I remain very pleased with the '3'
Reliability

5 out of 5

No problems in 4 years at all
Performance

3 out of 5

This car performs very well in terms of road holding and driver feedback. Some may think it's underpowered, but I don't see it as a problem.
Running Cost
The fuel consumption is okay but not up with the best but taking all costs into account (eg Group 4 insurance, purchase cost and actual depreciation costs) this has to be a strong point.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Form Sport

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
Being a driver who is used to driving big cars, I was pleased to find that the MG3 car grew on me in many ways. What drew me to the MG3? The price, yes, the standard equipment, hell yes. When you compare bigger cars to the spec, you get a feeling that there is a lot to offer, electric windows and door mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring, stability control, air con, fab stereo system, Bluetooth, cool upholstery, in fact, what's not to like? I went for a yellow with black roof, as the effect is great, as for road handling, wow, it get's some stick on my route to work, all them country roads, it just glues itself to the corners. Would I recommend it, yes, so much so I bought another within a few weeks of the first for my son, same model in white. We love our MG3's, and we are looking forward to many happy years with them. As for issues, reservations, none yet, we have that to look forward too, just like any car, it's mechanical and things break, but in the meantime we are 'lovin it'.
Reliability

4 out of 5

So far, very reliable, no issues to report.
Performance

4 out of 5

A bit slow to begin with when new, but after a couple of thousand miles it has come into it's own. Great road handling, take it into the countryside and leave the big boy's behind !
Running Cost

4 out of 5

Average costs for this type of car, 40 mpg is about what you expect to get, if you drive it hard, don't expect great mileage.

Owner Review

3 out of 5

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

38
Review
I'll try and keep this short and to the point . .. Good bits - looks great around . Loads of interior space . Handles superb. Auto lights / wipers / cruise control. MG is back on the roads. Good value to purchase used. Bad bits ... Clutch judder, worse from cold start. Crunches into reverse. Notchy forward gear change. Interior rattles. Air bag light on dash ( warranty sorting it). Reverse sensors are faulty when rains ( warranty sorting it ). Lazy engine, needs to be revved hard to get the best from the 1.5vti.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

40
Review
Bought our MG3 Style Lux in October to replace the Ford Fiesta we had on a 2 year lease. Even though we have only had it a short time I can honestly say the MG is a brilliant little car. Very spacious, and well made considering its price tag. Certainly don't get in it and think it cheap and tacky - quite the opposite. We went for the top model, including sat nav. If you choose any option I would definitely go for the leather seats as it just makes the car look so good, although nothing wrong with the standard cloth version. We got a pre reg for a very good price, less than £10k, so do a bit of internet searching. We didn't bother with 0% interest and we didn't have anything to trade in. Its surprising what good value for money you can get if you look around. We went for Yellow with a Black roof and it looks fab, not to every ones taste perhaps ( I would have had metallic Orange which could be worse! ) but it certainly stands out, My wife loves this car more than any of the others she has had. Only negatives would be the suspension is a bit hard, and it will suffer steep depreciation, but as we are keeping it quite a few years that doesn't bother me. The engine is a bit big for this size of car, and you need to work the gears a little to make it go, but its much better than the asthmatic Fiesta we have just had. Altogether a cracking car, hopefully over time it will prove to be reliable as well, but if MG came 10th in the JD power survey then I am not too worried.

Owner Review

4 out of 5

Version

Style

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

45
Review
Im not really into small cars but my commute has many more miles these days so i went for a new-ish small hatch with a warranty. The MG is a good looking car and i like the cabin, despite its negative reviews the fabric and finishes are hard wearing and easy to clean. The boot is a good size and a big plus is the spec on this top of the range model competes with vehicles which are far more expensive. The one downside has been the warranty- which seems to be an issue as I've read stories of other owners having problems too. The air-con started making a noise similar to a 'air pressure leak' and I rang the dealer to book it in. Initially I was told by a salesman that the air con on my vehicle had been re-gassed prior to me buying the car just 5 months previously, then later the administrator rang me to say the air-con unit is NOT covered by the 3 year manufacturers warranty and they would not repair or even look at the problem without charging me. I emailed MG to question this and why theres no mention of the air-con unit not being covered by the standard warranty and they never even replied. Not good and its a shame, its cost them because i will never buy another MG, which i may well have done when i look for another car in 18 months time.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Excellent
Performance
Very Good
Running Cost
Very Good

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

sport

Year of registration

15

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Review
Couldn't be more pleased with this car. Reliability no problems at all build quality superb and fun to drive. Excellent value for money.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

Style Lux

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

0 – 4,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

39
Review
Fantastic value, well equipped, lovely styling and nicely put together. Only owned 3 months and early to say but no faults so far. A car that I am very pleased with.
Reliability

5 out of 5

Only 3 months old but no faults to report so far.
Performance
The performance is fine, certainly better than my previous Honda Jazz and VW Polo.
Running Cost
39mpg for mostly town driving.

Owner Review

5 out of 5

I would recommend this car to a friend

Year of registration

2014

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

43
Review
For its small hatchback size, the car's interior is spacious. It is very well equipped with several features belying its purchase price. Whilst the average mpg is lower than my previous car by some 5 miles per gallon, given the price being at least £5k cheaper this is a small compromise to make for this vehicle. The car comes with a three year warranty and three year AA membership and is a bargain purchase which I can recommend without hesitation to any potential purchaser.

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