2019+ · Electric crossover with 44.5 kWh (2019-2021) or 50.3/72.6 kWh (2021+) battery
Budget-friendly electric crossover backed by a generous 7-year warranty. Chinese-built but designed for European markets with headquarters in Amsterdam. The main reliability concerns are software-related: 12V battery drain from modules failing to sleep, infotainment system freezing and rebooting mid-journey, and CCS charging port communication failures. Hardware issues include premature front suspension wear and AC resistor pack failures. The 2021 facelift improved battery capacity (from 44.5 kWh to 50.3/72.6 kWh) and charging speed (6.6 kW to 11 kW onboard charger). No major recalls yet, mostly service bulletins for software updates.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€400 - €700/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€300-450
Risk buffer
€100-250
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
12V auxiliary battery drain€150 - €300
Software glitch prevents modules from sleeping, draining battery within days · more· less
The 12V auxiliary battery suffers from parasitic drain caused by computer modules failing to enter sleep mode after the vehicle is turned off. This was a widespread issue affecting early production cars. Symptoms include the car being unable to power up the startup systems, running lights failing to activate, or in severe cases, the doors won't unlock. MG has issued multiple software updates to address this, but some cars continue experiencing the problem. The battery itself costs €150-200, with labor adding another €50-100. Prevention: keep the car plugged in when parked (charges both main and 12V battery) or use a trickle charger if storing the vehicle. Most affected: 2019-2021 models, though newer cars can still experience this issue.
Infotainment system freezing/rebooting€0 - €1,200
Head unit randomly freezes, shows grey screen, or reboots mid-drive · more· less
The infotainment screen randomly freezes, displays a grey screen, or spontaneously reboots while driving. This has been a persistent issue since 2019 affecting all model years. The system may show the MG logo and then grey screen, or completely crash requiring a manual reset (hold volume dial button for 10+ seconds). MG issued Service Bulletin SA0020 with a software update that reduces frequency but doesn't eliminate the problem entirely. In rare cases, the entire head unit requires replacement (€1,000-1,200 parts + labor). Most issues are resolved under warranty with software updates at no cost. Manual reboot or battery disconnect (10mm spanner on negative terminal, disconnect for 10 minutes) can temporarily resolve crashes.
CCS charging port communication failure€0 - €800
Charging connector won't lock, handshake fails with public chargers · more· less
The CCS charging port experiences communication failures with public fast chargers. The connector fails to lock in place, preventing the charging session from initiating. Chargers display "unable to start charging session" or "problem with handshake between car and station". Root cause is a faulty locking pin mechanism combined with software issues in the EVCC (Electric Vehicle Charge Controller). MG issued a recall update for the EVCC that resolved most cases. If the locking pin hardware is damaged, replacement costs €500-800 including labor. Software updates at MG dealers are covered under warranty. Some owners report success by disconnecting/reconnecting the 12V battery negative terminal. Mostly affects 2019-2021 models; facelift models have improved charging reliability.
Front suspension wear (bushes, drop links, dampers)€400 - €1,000
Premature wear causes knocking sounds and uneven tire wear · more· less
The front suspension experiences premature wear of bushings, drop links, and dampers. Symptoms include scraping or knocking noises from the front end, particularly over bumps, and uneven tire wear patterns. The MacPherson strut front suspension struggles with the additional weight of the battery pack (car weighs 1,620-1,810 kg depending on battery). Typical failure occurs between 40,000-80,000 km. Repair involves inspecting and replacing worn bushes (€150-300 for parts), drop links (€80-150), or dampers (€400-600 for a pair). After suspension work, wheel alignment is essential (€80-120) to prevent further tire wear. Independent garages charge €400-700 for typical suspension repairs; MG dealers €700-1,000. Consider aftermarket suspension upgrades from Bilstein or similar for improved longevity and handling.
Reverse camera intermittent failure€200 - €500
Camera shows grey screen, poor quality image, or doesn't activate · more· less
The reverse camera intermittently fails to display when shifting into reverse, shows only a grey or blue screen, or displays a degraded/blurred image. This appears related to both the infotainment boot-up timing (if you shift to reverse too quickly after starting, the media center hasn't finished booting) and actual camera hardware degradation. Some owners report image quality deteriorating over time with no brightness/contrast adjustment available. Software updates haven't resolved all cases. Replacement rear camera costs €200-350 for the part, plus €150-200 labor at dealers. Try soft-resetting the infotainment system first (press and hold central knob until MG logo appears). Cleaning the camera lens occasionally helps but doesn't fix electrical failures. Most common on 2019-2020 models.
Air conditioning resistor pack failure€150 - €400
AC works for minutes then shuts off, requires reset to restart · more· less
The AC system runs for a few minutes then shuts off, with the light remaining on but fan and cooling stopping. The resistor pack (controls fan speed in the blower motor) is the usual culprit. This is normally a quick dealer fix under warranty. Other causes include missing/loose fuses (some new vehicles had the HVAC fuse in a plastic bag in the glove compartment, removed during shipping to prevent battery drain), low refrigerant requiring regassing (€80-150), or fan controller module failure (€200-300 parts + €100-150 labor). In rare cases, the entire heater fan needs replacement (€300-400). Check if the HVAC fuse is properly installed first. Ensure the system isn't in Eco mode, which limits AC performance. Some owners report AC performance is marginal even when working correctly, especially in hot weather.
TPMS sensor failure€30 - €250
Tire pressure warning light stays on despite correct pressures · more· less
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) displays intermittent warnings despite tires being at correct pressure (typically 2.7-2.8 bar). This is a known fault in the MG ZS. Sometimes only the valve stem needs replacement (€30 including fitting at tire shops), not the sensor itself. If the sensor fails, replacement costs €70-90 per sensor, plus €150 dealer labor for programming (1 hour), or use an independent shop with TPMS tools for €30-50 programming. TPMS sensors typically last 5-10 years (average 7 years) before the internal battery dies and requires sensor replacement. When replacing tires, consider replacing valve stems preventatively (€10-15 each) to avoid future issues. Ensure tire pressures are correct before assuming sensor failure.
Battery degradation (HV traction battery)Low annual cost, high replacement
Battery loses capacity over time, most show 92-97% health at 40,000-80,000 km · more· less
The high-voltage traction battery gradually loses capacity over time and charge cycles. Real-world reports show varied degradation: one owner at 118,000 km (3.5 years) showed 96.4% State of Health (SOH) with only 12 km range loss. Others report 92-97% SOH at 25,000-45,000 miles. A first-generation ZS EV showed progressive degradation: 100% at 16,500 km, 97% at 35,500 km, 92% at 50,200 km. Degradation is accelerated by frequent rapid charging and exposure to high temperatures/high state of charge. The battery is covered by 7-year/150,000 km warranty (or 8-year for 2019-2020 models) with guaranteed 70% minimum capacity. Replacement cost is extremely high (€10,000-16,000+) but rarely needed within warranty period. Nobody has reported needing battery replacement under normal use, suggesting batteries are quite reliable in practice. Some owners experience rapid charging limited to 25-30 kW instead of the advertised 85 kW, which may indicate battery management system issues.
Good value but software issues require patience
The MG ZS EV offers excellent value with a generous warranty, but software reliability lags behind established brands. The 12V battery drain and infotainment freezing are frustrating but typically resolved under warranty. Hardware is generally solid, though suspension wears faster due to battery weight. The 7-year warranty provides peace of mind, and MG's European headquarters in Amsterdam ensures reasonable support in the Netherlands. Most issues are well-documented with known fixes.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete MG dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify all software updates completed.
Tires
Check tread depth (215/55 R17), age, and uneven wear patterns. EVs wear tires 20% faster than petrol cars.
Cold start test
Power up completely cold and listen for unusual sounds. Check all dashboard lights.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Test regenerative braking and all driving modes.
Charging test
Plug into a charging station during inspection. Verify charging port opens/closes properly and charging initiates correctly.
Specific for this vehicle
Battery State of Health (SOH) report
Request SOH report showing battery degradation. Below 90% at low mileage is concerning. Use OBD dongle with car scanner app to check yourself.
12V battery test when completely cold
Start car after sitting overnight (unplugged). Should power up immediately without hesitation. Ask owner about any previous 12V battery drain issues.
Infotainment system stress test
Use infotainment for 15+ minutes: switch between screens, use navigation, test Bluetooth, check for freezing or grey screens.
CCS fast charging test
If possible, test DC fast charging at a public charger. Connector should lock securely, session should initiate without errors.
Front suspension inspection
Listen for knocking sounds over bumps. Check for uneven tire wear (inside/outside edges). Test drive over rough roads.
Reverse camera and 360 cameras
Test multiple times from cold start and warm. Image should be clear, not blurred or grey screen.
Air conditioning function test
Run AC for 10+ minutes. Should stay on continuously without shutting off. Check all vents blow cold air.
Check for recalls and updates
Verify all recalls completed using VIN. Ask dealer about software update history, particularly EVCC charging update and Service Bulletin SA0020 infotainment update.
Verify model year and battery size
2019-2021: 44.5 kWh battery, 163 miles range. 2021+ facelift: 50.3 kWh or 72.6 kWh battery, 198-273 miles range. Check if 6.6 kW or 11 kW onboard charger.
MG has issued multiple service bulletins and software updates to address 12V battery drain, infotainment freezing, and charging issues. Before purchasing, verify with an MG dealer (using the VIN) that all updates have been completed. The UK government recall checker (check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk) can identify outstanding recalls. Most issues are covered under the generous warranty.
Warranty Status
Comprehensive warranty (2021+ models)7 years / 150,000 km
Battery warranty (2019-2020 models)8 years / 150,000 km (70% capacity guarantee)
Battery warranty (2021+ models)7 years / 150,000 km (70% capacity guarantee)
12V auxiliary battery warranty12 months (up to €99 replacement cost)
Pan-European coverageValid at all authorized MG repairers across Europe
Industry-leading warranty coverage
MG offers one of the best warranty packages in Europe. For vehicles registered after January 1, 2021, the 7-year/150,000 km warranty covers all components including the high-voltage battery and electric motor. Earlier models (2019-2020) received a free warranty upgrade to 7 years overall, while retaining the original 8-year battery warranty. The warranty is valid across Europe at all authorized MG repairers. MG's European headquarters is in Amsterdam, Netherlands, ensuring good support for Dutch customers.
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.