MG Roadworthy Inspection in Brisbane - What to Know
I inspected this MG ZS in Underwood today. Passed without any issues. MGs are relatively new to the Australian used car market – most are only now being sold by their first owners, and many are still under manufacturer warranty. But I’m starting to see more of them come through for roadworthy inspections, so here’s what I’ve noticed so far.
Electrical issues are the standout
On the MGs I’ve inspected, the most common problems have been electrical. Not major system failures, but smaller issues that still fail a roadworthy:
Windscreen washer not working. On most cars this is an empty reservoir or a blocked nozzle. On the MGs I’ve seen, it’s been an electrical fault rather than a simple fix.
Lights not working. Again, on most cars a non-working light is a blown globe – a two-minute fix. On some MGs I’ve inspected, the globe was fine but the light still wasn’t working due to an electrical fault. That’s a different kind of repair.
Driver’s window not working. The driver’s window must wind up and down to pass a roadworthy. I’ve seen this fail on MGs where the window motor or switch has stopped responding.
These are all relatively minor items in isolation, but electrical faults can be harder and more expensive to diagnose than simple mechanical wear. A blown globe costs $5 to replace. An electrical fault behind a non-working light might need a dealer visit.
Standard wear items still apply
Beyond the electrical quirks, MGs fail for the same standard items as any other car:
Tyres – check tread depth, look for cracks or damage. Minimum 1.5mm.
Brakes – listen for squealing or grinding.
Dashboard warning lights – start the car and make sure no safety-related lights stay on.
Because most MGs on the used market are still relatively low-kilometre cars, these standard wear items are less common than on older, higher-mileage vehicles. Most MGs I inspect pass without drama.
Roadworthy vs pre-purchase - it matters on MGs
This is worth mentioning for anyone buying a used MG. A roadworthy inspection checks minimum safety standards. If the car is safe to drive – brakes work, lights work, tyres are ok, no leaks, no warning lights – it passes.
A roadworthy does not assess the overall mechanical condition of the car. I’ve inspected MGs that passed the roadworthy but had engines that sounded rattly and rough. As long as the car drives properly, there are no warning lights, and there are no leaks, a noisy engine is not a roadworthy fail. But it could be a sign of an expensive problem developing.
If you’re buying a used MG, a pre-purchase inspection picks up these kinds of concerns that sit outside the roadworthy scope. For $200, I give you a much fuller picture of the car’s condition – including things I’d want to know about if I were the one buying it. A roadworthy tells you it’s safe. A pre-purchase inspection tells you what you’re actually getting into.
A growing market
MG has grown rapidly in Australia over the past few years, largely on price. They’re significantly cheaper than Japanese and Korean equivalents, which makes them popular with first-time buyers and budget-conscious families. As the first wave of these cars comes off warranty and hits the used market, I expect to see a lot more of them for roadworthy inspections.
If you’re selling or buying an MG in Brisbane, getting the roadworthy sorted early gives you confidence in the transaction. And if you’re buying, seriously consider the pre-purchase inspection – with any newer brand that doesn’t have a long track record in Australia, knowing what you’re buying is worth the extra $90.
