A budget-friendly electric hatchback built on SAIC's MSP platform, offering 360 km real-world range and competitive pricing. The MG4 quickly became one of the best-selling EVs in Europe after its 2022 launch, appealing to first-time EV buyers with its low purchase price and 7-year warranty. Build quality and software refinement are behind European competitors.
7-year / 150,000 km warranty
Low purchase and running costs
Poor reliability survey scores
Buggy infotainment and ADAS
Buy if: You want an affordable long-range EV with a generous warranty and can accept some software quirks.
Avoid if: You need polished driver assistance systems or a reliable infotainment experience without regular glitches.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
Common Problems
Touchscreen freezes, Apple CarPlay disconnects, Bluetooth drops requiring system reboots · more· less
The most commonly reported MG4 issue. The infotainment system can freeze mid-journey, show a black screen, or fail to respond to touch inputs. Apple CarPlay is particularly temperamental, sometimes working only with specific cables or not at all. Bluetooth pairing frequently fails after one journey. Software updates (R46, R67 and later) have improved stability, but many owners still report occasional issues. A reboot (holding the home button) temporarily resolves most freezes. If the head unit fails entirely, replacement costs €200-350 at a dealer. Most issues are software-related and resolved by updates at no cost.
AC charging stops working while DC fast charging continues to function normally · more· less
The CCU contains both the AC-to-DC converter (for home/destination charging) and the DC-to-DC converter for the 12V system. Early MG4s with three-phase onboard chargers are most affected. Symptoms start with intermittent AC charging failures and progress to complete inability to charge on AC. MG dealers first attempt a software update, but most cases require a full CCU hardware replacement at approximately €1,500-2,200 including labour. DC charging typically continues to work even with a failed CCU. This is covered under warranty and is also subject to service bulletin SCUK001. Verify completion before purchase.
AEB activates unprovoked on clear roads, bringing the car to a sudden full stop · more· less
A widely reported and potentially dangerous issue. The car can apply full emergency braking without any obstruction, particularly when approaching parked cars with oncoming traffic or when driving from light into shadow. Forum threads on MGEVs.com contain hundreds of reports. MG has acknowledged the issue and released software updates (via SCUK001 service campaign updating BCM and FDR modules) that reduce the frequency but do not fully eliminate it. Many owners choose to disable AEB entirely. Setting AEB to alert-only mode prevents the car from braking autonomously but still gives a warning. No direct repair cost, but one owner reported being rear-ended after an unprovoked stop. Software updates are free.
12V auxiliary battery drains if car sits unused for 2-4 weeks, leaving car unable to start · more· less
A common issue shared with other Chinese-market EVs. The 12V battery can drain flat if the car is parked for more than 2-3 weeks without driving. The car becomes completely unresponsive - no key fob response, no lights. Parasitic drain from the telematics module and other systems is the main cause. A portable 12V jump starter resolves the immediate issue. Once the car is in the ready state, the HV battery recharges the 12V system. Replacement 12V batteries cost €100-200. A software update improves the HV-to-12V charging behaviour. Owners who park for extended periods should use a trickle charger or disconnect the 12V battery.
Front undertray sags and can catch on obstacles, eventually tearing off · more· less
The plastic undertray beneath the battery pack is prone to sagging at the front, creating a gap between the tray and the car body. In wet conditions or when driving through puddles, the sagging section can catch and tear off completely. MG issued a service bulletin (AS-TEC-02112023-01) that adds an extra bracket and three bolts to prevent the sag - the fix takes about 10 minutes. This should be covered under warranty. If the undertray has already been damaged or torn off, replacement costs €200-400 for the part plus fitting. Check underneath the car during inspection.
Tyre pressure sensors show faults or incorrect readings, especially after wheel changes · more· less
The MG4 uses a self-learning TPMS system that requires reprogramming whenever wheels are swapped or rotated. Many owners encounter persistent TPMS warnings after switching between summer and winter tyres. The system sometimes displays orange dashes instead of pressure values. Dealer reprogramming costs €50-100. Individual sensor replacement costs €80-120 per wheel. Some owners invest in Autel diagnostic tools (approximately €200) to manage sensor codes themselves, which saves on repeated dealer visits. Not a safety issue but an ongoing inconvenience.
Climate control stops heating or cooling, often resolved by software update or compressor reset · more· less
Some MG4 owners report the air conditioning or heating system failing intermittently. The compressor may go offline due to a voltage or software fault. In many cases, cycling the system through the iSMART app or performing a system reset resolves the issue. A software update that should have been installed before delivery fixes the most common cases. If the electric compressor itself fails, replacement costs €600-800. Heat pump efficiency can also degrade over time, particularly in cold climates, reducing winter range.
Affordable EV with below-average reliability and frequent software issues
The MG4 scored 63.8% in the 2024 What Car? reliability survey, finishing last in the electric car class. Most issues are software-related (infotainment, AEB, charging) rather than mechanical, reflecting the car's relatively young software platform. Hardware problems like CCU failure and undertray sagging have known fixes. The 7-year / 150,000 km warranty provides good coverage, but MG's dealer network is still developing in Europe, and some owners report slow repair turnaround times. Cars that have received all software updates and service bulletins are noticeably more reliable.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Central locking superlock fault (R/2022/355) - doors could lock without ability to open from inside or outside. Build dates June-October 2022. Software update fix.
Verify completed
SCUK001 service campaign - BCM, EVCC and FDR software updates addressing charging, lane keep assist, and cruise control issues.
Verify completed
Undertray reinforcement bulletin (AS-TEC-02112023-01) - additional bracket to prevent front undertray sagging.
Verify completed
Contact an MG dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls and service campaigns have been completed. The SCUK001 campaign is particularly important as it addresses charging and ADAS issues. Not all service bulletins appear in the official recall database - ask the dealer to check for open campaigns specifically.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (7 years / 150,000 km)
Check remaining coverage - transferable to new owner
High-voltage battery warranty
8 years / 160,000 km, 70% capacity guarantee
Anti-corrosion warranty
7 years, no mileage limit
MG offers one of the most generous warranties in Europe. The 7-year / 150,000 km warranty transfers to subsequent owners and covers most mechanical and electrical components. The HV battery has an additional year of coverage (8 years / 160,000 km). Verify remaining warranty status with an MG dealer using the VIN, as coverage depends on original registration date and total mileage.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.