Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Compact SUV with a 448-litre boot, offered with petrol engines (1.5 with 106 hp, 1.0 turbo with 111 hp) and as an electric car (ZS EV, 143 hp). The petrol version only earned 3 Euro NCAP stars in 2017, against 5 stars in 2019 for the ZS EV. Reliability feedback comes mainly from the UK and points to a risk of head gasket failure and electronic faults: a test drive and the service history are essential.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €14,000 – €15,500
- Monthly cost
- €418
- Euro NCAP
- 3/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.5 VTi-Tech 106, ZS EV 143.
1.5 VTi-Tech 106
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 106 hp · 6.6 L/100 km · 149 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 141 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox: a simple engine with no turbo.
1.0 T-GDI 111
Petrol · Manual · 111 hp · Crit'Air 1
Turbocharged direct-injection three-cylinder with 160 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox.
ZS EV 143
✓ RecommendedElectric · Automatic · 143 hp · Crit'Air green
44.5 kWh battery, 353 Nm, quoted combined WLTP range of 263 km, DC rapid charging up to 85 kW.
Market prices
€14,000 – €15,500
Indicative range: 2022 to 2023, yearly medians of 12 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Head gasket (petrol)
Severity 2/3 · CostlyBritish breakdown and repair sites describe a head gasket with a reputation for fragility on the ZS, with coolant loss and overheating, more common on older or high-mileage cars (Bumper). The sources give neither a failure rate nor a specific engine: treat it as a point to watch.
- Versions
- 1.5 VTi-Tech 106, 1.0 T-GDI 111
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Electronic and screen faults
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingRandom dashboard warning lights, faulty adaptive cruise control (Bumper); unresponsive touchscreen or lost CarPlay/Android Auto connection.
- Versions
- 1.5 VTi-Tech 106, 1.0 T-GDI 111, ZS EV 143
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “MG ZS”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €162 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €80 |
| Maintenance | €36 |
| Depreciation | €140 |
| Total per month | €418 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€162
1.5 VTi-Tech 106 version: combined consumption of 6.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €162
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€80
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€36
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€140
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
MG ZS I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check the coolant level and look for leaks and signs of overheating.
- Test drive from cold: listen for stalling or misfires on starting on the petrol.
- Test the screen, CarPlay/Android Auto, the dashboard warning lights and the adaptive cruise control.
- Check with an MG dealer, using the VIN, whether the NOx software update (German recall, cars from 12/2020 to 02/2024) has been done.
- ZS EV: check the condition of the battery and test rapid charging.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the coolant been topped up or the head gasket replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- Have any electronic or screen faults been dealt with in a workshop?
- Has the software update linked to the recall been carried out at MG?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kia Stonic
I · since 2017
- Price
- €10,300 – €19,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0
Dacia Duster
II · 2018–2024
- Price
- €11,700 – €20,500
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Captur
II · since 2019
- Price
- €11,495 – €17,990
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Photo: MoCars, CC0
Peugeot 2008
II · since 2019
- Price
- €9,500 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Juke
II · since 2019
- Price
- €10,700 – €20,900
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the MG ZS I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the MG ZS have?
The petrol ZS earned 3 stars in 2017 and the ZS EV 5 stars in 2019. The 2024 test (4 stars) applies to the ZS Hybrid, a different generation.
What is the boot size of the MG ZS?
448 litres, up to 1,375 litres with the rear seats folded (petrol). The ZS EV also quotes 448 litres.
What is the range of the MG ZS EV?
263 km on the combined WLTP cycle with the 44.5 kWh battery, according to the Fiches-auto data sheet; on the road the real-world figure will be lower.
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