Likes
- Affordable pricing for budget-conscious buyers
- Stylish and modern exterior design
- Small size is great for city driving
Used MG3 review
2016 - 2022
Dislikes
- Mediocre engine performance and acceleration
- Limited advanced safety features compared to competitors
- Average fuel efficiency for its class
- No ANCAP rating
Stuff you should know
The Australian-delivered MG3, manufactured between 2016 and 2022, is a compact hatchback offering affordability and style. This sporty vehicle is designed to cater to the urban lifestyle with its compact dimensions and nimble handling. It features a distinctive exterior design with bold lines and a modern grille. While the MG3 has been available in Australia since 2016, we’ll mainly focus on the facelifted version that launched in 2018, as these are vastly more common on our roads.
The MG3 is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, providing adequate performance for city driving.
Inside, the car offers a comfortable cabin with decent space for passengers and a user-friendly infotainment system. Safety features include multiple airbags, stability control, and anti-lock braking.
The MG3 presents a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a fun and practical small car.
What goes wrong
Exterior:
- An issues that was also reported on the MG ZS is premature rust.
- The door sills are know to leak.
Interior:
- Some owners have pointed out that the seats are generally uncomfortable.
- There are reports of an electrical issues causing the ABS warning light to remain on.
- Reports of the infotainment screen glitching and going black while making a call.
- An electrical glitch can cause some functions like the wipers to keep operating after the ignition has been turned off.
Mechanically:
- Owners have reports several engine-related problems including head gasket failure, oil leaks and timing chain issues.
- The manual gearboxes have also be know too have issues finding certain gears.
Recalls:
- June 2021 – Faulty fuel-tank strap retaining bolts in MG3 vehicles manufactured in 2021 could cause the fuel tank to detach, leading to fuel leakage and increasing the risk of fire, accidents, serious injury, or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
Exterior:
- An issues that was also reported on the MG ZS is premature rust.
- The door sills are know to leak.
Interior:
- Some owners have pointed out that the seats are generally uncomfortable.
- There are reports of an electrical issues causing the ABS warning light to remain on.
- Reports of the infotainment screen glitching and going black while making a call.
- An electrical glitch can cause some functions like the wipers to keep operating after the ignition has been turned off.
Mechanically:
- Owners have reports several engine-related problems including head gasket failure, oil leaks and timing chain issues.
- The manual gearboxes have also be know too have issues finding certain gears.
Recalls:
- June 2021 – Faulty fuel-tank strap retaining bolts in MG3 vehicles manufactured in 2021 could cause the fuel tank to detach, leading to fuel leakage and increasing the risk of fire, accidents, serious injury, or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
Exterior:
- An issues that was also reported on the MG ZS is premature rust.
- The door sills are know to leak.
Interior:
- Some owners have pointed out that the seats are generally uncomfortable.
- There are reports of an electrical issues causing the ABS warning light to remain on.
- Reports of the infotainment screen glitching and going black while making a call.
- An electrical glitch can cause some functions like the wipers to keep operating after the ignition has been turned off.
Mechanically:
- Owners have reports several engine-related problems including head gasket failure, oil leaks and timing chain issues.
- The manual gearboxes have also be know too have issues finding certain gears.
Recalls:
- June 2021 – Faulty fuel-tank strap retaining bolts in MG3 vehicles manufactured in 2021 could cause the fuel tank to detach, leading to fuel leakage and increasing the risk of fire, accidents, serious injury, or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
Should you buy it?
Simple put. No.
Well, there’s one reason you could consider one, and that’s if you couldn’t care less about how safe your car is. Otherwise, it’s really difficult to recommend buying the MG3 due to the lack of safety tech and the non-existent ANCAP rating.
Even if you set aside the growing list of issues that owners have reported, granted, no car is perfect, but to walk past things like the Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i20, would indicate you perhaps have rocks in your head. Even in some instances, paying a premium to get into those examples, might be a much better way to spend your money.
Those cars we mentioned have a superior build quality, a vast support network, comparable levels of features, tech and warranty, and on the used market, can be just as cheap to buy.
Simple put. No.
Well, there’s one reason you could consider one, and that’s if you couldn’t care less about how safe your car is. Otherwise, it’s really difficult to recommend buying the MG3 due to the lack of safety tech and the non-existent ANCAP rating.
Even if you set aside the growing list of issues that owners have reported, granted, no car is perfect, but to walk past things like the Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i20, would indicate you perhaps have rocks in your head. Even in some instances, paying a premium to get into those examples, might be a much better way to spend your money.
Those cars we mentioned have a superior build quality, a vast support network, comparable levels of features, tech and warranty, and on the used market, can be just as cheap to buy.
Should you buy it?
Simple put. No.
Well, there’s one reason you could consider one, and that’s if you couldn’t care less about how safe your car is. Otherwise, it’s really difficult to recommend buying the MG3 due to the lack of safety tech and the non-existent ANCAP rating.
Even if you set aside the growing list of issues that owners have reported, granted, no car is perfect, but to walk past things like the Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i20, would indicate you perhaps have rocks in your head. Even in some instances, paying a premium to get into those examples, might be a much better way to spend your money.
Those cars we mentioned have a superior build quality, a vast support network, comparable levels of features, tech and warranty, and on the used market, can be just as cheap to buy.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
5 door Hatchback
Engines
1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine
Power
78kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
82kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Torque
137Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
150Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (Core, Excite, Essence)
4-speed Automatic (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Fuel Consumption
5.8 – 6.7L / 100km
Length
4018 – 4055mm (5 door Hatchback)
Width
1728 – 1729mm (5 door Hatchback)
Height
1504 – 1517mm (5 door Hatchback)
Wheelbase
2520mm (5 door Hatchback)
Kerb Weight
1136 – 1165kg (5 door Hatchback)
Towing
200kg (unbraked), 200kg (braked)
ANCAP Ratings
Not available
Body Styles
5 door Hatchback
Engines
1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine
Power
78kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
82kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Torque
137Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
150Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (Core, Excite, Essence)
4-speed Automatic (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Fuel Consumption
5.8 – 6.7L / 100km
Length
4018 – 4055mm (5 door Hatchback)
Width
1728 – 1729mm (5 door Hatchback)
Height
1504 – 1517mm (5 door Hatchback)
Wheelbase
2520mm (5 door Hatchback)
Kerb Weight
1136 – 1165kg (5 door Hatchback)
Towing
200kg (unbraked), 200kg (braked)
ANCAP Ratings
Not available
Body Styles
5 door Hatchback
Engines
1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine
Power
78kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
82kW – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Torque
137Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, Essence)
150Nm – 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (Core, Excite, Essence)
4-speed Automatic (Core, Excite, S Limited Edition, Core (Nav))
Fuel Consumption
5.8 – 6.7L / 100km
Length
4018 – 4055mm (5 door Hatchback)
Width
1728 – 1729mm (5 door Hatchback)
Height
1504 – 1517mm (5 door Hatchback)
Wheelbase
2520mm (5 door Hatchback)
Kerb Weight
1136 – 1165kg (5 door Hatchback)
Towing
200kg (unbraked), 200kg (braked)
ANCAP Ratings
Not available
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
7 years / unlimited km
Service Intervals
10,000 km / 12 months
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of June 13, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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