# Used MG HS: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy > What to check on a used HS, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away. Covers: 1st gen (2019–2025), 2nd gen (2025 on). Last updated: 2 November 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-mg-hs-inspection-checklist. Printable PDF: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-mg-hs-inspection-checklist.pdf. ## Common Problems on a Used MG HS The most commonly reported problems on a used MG HS are water leaking into the cabin from blocked sunroof drains, hesitation and judder from the dual-clutch automatic at low speed, and over-sensitive driver-monitoring alerts on the second generation. Also check for touchscreen lag. ### Sunroof Leaks Owners of the first-generation HS report water leaking from the sunroof, dripping down the sun visors, when its drains block ([ReDriven](https://redriven.com/reviews/mg/hs/used-mg-hs-review/)). Look at the headlining around the sunroof and the sun visors for water stains, and check under the floor mats for damp or a musty smell. Open and close the sunroof. Clearing the drains is usually cheap, but water damage to the headlining or wiring isn't. Price it in, and check for wider damage. ### Dual-Clutch Hesitation and Judder The HS's dual-clutch automatic is reported to hesitate and judder at low speed. Reviewers of the 2025 model called its low-speed response woeful ([Chasing Cars](https://www.chasingcars.com.au/reviews/midsize-suvs/mg-hs-essence-2025-review/)). On the test drive, pull away gently from a stop several times and creep in traffic. Feel for judder, lurching or a delay before it moves off. Ask whether the gearbox has had software updates. If it's rough, have a mechanic check it or price it into your offer. ### Over-Sensitive Driver Alerts The second-generation HS's driver-monitoring system is reported to be intrusive and often wrong, telling you to take a break, and turning it off means digging through the screen ([Chasing Cars](https://www.chasingcars.com.au/reviews/midsize-suvs/mg-hs-essence-2025-review/)). Drive the car for at least 15 minutes and see whether the alerts would bother you day to day. Check for any software updates. It's a matter of comfort rather than a fault, but it's one owners notice. Ask the seller whether updates have helped. ## Which MG HS Years to Avoid? No single MG HS year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing. - **1st gen (2019–2025).** 1 to 7 years old, typically about 10,000–90,000 km. ANCAP rating: [5 stars (2019) for petrols built to July 2024; plug-in hybrids are unrated](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/hs/10762e). Stability control and AEB are standard. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. MG's new-car warranty is 7 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from 2019 until August 2024, and 10 years or 250,000 km for cars sold from August 2024 until July 2025, and 7 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from July 2025 (10 years or 250,000 km with every service at an MG dealer), so any may still be covered. - **2nd gen (2025 on).** Up to 1 years old, typically up to about 10,000 km. ANCAP rating: [5 stars (2024), expiring December 2031](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/hs/81e6eb). AEB is standard. The current model. MG's new-car warranty is 7 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from July 2025 (10 years or 250,000 km with every service at an MG dealer), so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid. Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why. Warranty terms are from [MG's warranty page](https://mgmotor.com.au/explore/warranty), as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows. ## MG HS General Inspection Guide A guide to checking for MG HS problems, built on the [used car buying checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist) for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing. Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer. - Safety critical: Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy. - Negotiate: Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price. ### Exterior - [ ] **Rust.** Check the wheel arches, sills and the bottom edge of the tailgate for bubbling paint or rust spots. Rust starting at a seam usually means water has been sitting there for a long time. Bubbling paint near seams means rust is already working underneath. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Sunroof drains.** If fitted with a sunroof, check the headlining and sun visors for water staining or sagging. Ask the seller if the sunroof has ever leaked into the cabin. A musty smell or stained roof lining points to a blocked drain tube. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Panel gaps.** Walk around the car and check panel gaps are even on both sides and paint colour matches between panels. Uneven gaps or slightly different paint shade can mean crash repair. A wider gap on one side only usually means a panel has been replaced. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Exterior lights.** Turn on every light including indicators and reversing light and check the lenses aren't cracked or fogged with moisture. A dim or flickering light can mean a wiring or connector fault. Moisture inside a lens often points to a failed seal letting water in. (Negotiate) ### Under the Bonnet - [ ] **Engine oil.** Pull the dipstick and check the oil sits between the marks and looks brown, not black or gritty. A low level between services can mean the engine is burning oil. Gritty, dark oil suggests servicing has been skipped or delayed. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Coolant.** Check the coolant reservoir is filled to its mark and the coolant looks clean, with no crusty residue nearby. Crusty deposits around hoses or fittings often mean a slow leak. A low coolant level between services points to an unresolved leak. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Cold start.** Start the engine from cold and listen for a smooth idle within a few seconds, with no rattle, knock or smoke from the exhaust. A rough cold start can point to an engine or fuel system problem. Blue smoke on startup usually means worn engine seals. (Negotiate) ### Underbody and Wheels - [ ] **Tyres.** Check all four tyres are above the wear bars, worn evenly and roughly matched in age and brand. AWD versions need four matching tyres to avoid straining the drivetrain. Uneven wear across the tread can point to an alignment or suspension fault. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Underbody rust.** Look under the car for rust on the floor pan or suspension mounts, and for bent metal or fresh welds. A patch of new coating among otherwise dirty metal can hide crash repair. Fresh underseal in just one spot is a warning sign of hidden repair work. (Safety critical) - [ ] **AWD driveline.** AWD: look underneath for oil weeping around the rear axle or driveshaft area. A leaking rear differential is an expensive repair to put right. Oily residue along the driveshaft suggests a seal has failed. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Shock absorbers.** Check each shock absorber body for oily wetness, which means it's leaking and losing its damping ability. A leaking shock makes the car bounce and feel vague over bumps. Wetness running down the shock body is a sign it needs replacing. (Negotiate) ### Interior and Electrics - [ ] **Warning lights.** Turn the key or push start without the engine running and check every dash light comes on then goes out once the engine starts. An airbag or brake warning that stays lit needs explaining before you buy. A light that stays on points to a fault that hasn't been fixed. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Touchscreen.** Turn on the touchscreen and work through several menus, checking it responds promptly without freezing or restarting on its own. Note any delay between tapping an icon and the screen reacting. A screen that stutters or reboots itself can point to a software or hardware fault. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Driver monitoring system.** If fitted with driver attention monitoring, drive for a few minutes and note whether it sounds alerts for no clear reason. Ask the seller how often this happens and how they deal with it. Frequent alerts with no cause usually mean the camera needs recalibrating. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Seatbelts.** Pull each seatbelt out fully and let it retract, checking it latches firmly with no fraying along the webbing. Fraying or a belt that doesn't lock means it may not hold in a crash. A belt that only partly retracts needs attention before the car is driven again. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Air conditioning.** Run the air conditioning on its coldest setting for several minutes and check it blows cold air consistently from all vents. Weak or warm air can mean a refrigerant leak or failing compressor. A compressor that cycles on and off repeatedly is often close to failing. (Negotiate) ### Test Drive - [ ] **Dual-clutch gearbox.** Manual/DCT: pull away from a stop several times at low speed and feel for hesitation or shuddering during the handover between gears. Try this both from cold and once the car has warmed up. Judder at low speed is a warning sign of a worn clutch pack or software fault. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Automatic gearbox.** Automatic: drive through normal gear changes and feel for hesitation, flare or rough, delayed shifts. Jerky or hesitant changes can mean an ageing gearbox nearing failure. A shift that takes longer than usual to engage is an early sign of wear. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brakes.** Brake firmly from a safe speed and check the car stops straight with a firm pedal and no grinding or squealing. A soft or spongy pedal can mean air or a leak in the brake lines. Pulling to one side under braking often means uneven pad wear. (Safety critical) - [ ] **AWD on full lock.** AWD: in a car park, drive slowly on full steering lock both ways and listen for clunking or juddering. Juddering on tight turns suggests the AWD coupling is binding. A clunk only on full lock often points to a worn driveline joint. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Steering feel.** At low speed, turn the wheel lock to lock and check it feels consistent in weight with no clunks or looseness. A vague or heavy patch in the steering can mean a worn rack or power steering fault. A clunk when turning the wheel stationary points to worn steering components. (Negotiate) ### Documentation - [ ] **Service history.** Check the logbook is stamped on time with matching receipts, and look for any software update records for the infotainment or driver assistance systems. Gaps in the history can hide deferred maintenance. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Remaining warranty.** Ask if the car is still covered by MG's new-car warranty and check servicing has kept up so the cover stays valid. A car still under warranty can save you money on any early faults. - [ ] **Roadworthy certificate.** Confirm a current roadworthy certificate is supplied if your state requires one on sale, and that its details match the car. Without one you may not be able to register the car in your name. ## Stay Safe Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing. ## Disclaimer Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by MG; MG and HS are trademarks of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use. ## Buying a Used MG HS: Questions Answered ### Is a used MG HS reliable? It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check. ### Which MG HS years should I avoid? No single MG HS year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing. This checklist covers the 1st gen (2019–2025) and 2nd gen (2025 on) MG HS. Problems reported across them include sunroof leaks, dual-clutch hesitation and over-sensitive driver alerts. ### How many kilometres is too many for a used MG HS? Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre SUV with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, done short trips or been used for rideshare. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check. ### Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used MG HS? It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. All-wheel-drive and hybrid systems can hide faults a visual check won't show, so ask for the service records for them and watch for warning lights on the test drive. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs (https://shufti.com.au/guides/used-car-inspection-options) ### How do I check a used MG HS for money owing or a write-off? Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au (https://www.ppsr.gov.au/). It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't (https://shufti.com.au/guides/what-is-a-ppsr-check) ### How do I check recalls on a used MG HS? Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the MG HS (https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/browse-all-recalls?search=MG%20HS). Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a MG dealer to check the VIN. --- Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company. From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation. A Tailored check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350. To start, Shufti's General inspection guide is free: pick the car's make and model, and it takes you through the checks that matter for that model, on your phone. There's a guide for popular models, and one for every type of car. Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au. Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/shufti-used-car-inspection/id6795718336?pt=129235165&ct=Website%20guide&mt=8), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app&referrer=utm_source%3Dshufti.com.au%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DWebsite%2520guide%26utm_content%3Dllms%26utm_term%3D%252Fllms.txt).