Used MG ZS: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used MG ZS, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
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- First generation 2017–2020
- Second generation 2021 on
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used MG ZS
The most commonly reported problems on a used MG ZS are hesitation and jerky gear changes from the automatic, a brake pedal that feels inconsistent, and an infotainment screen that freezes. Check how much of MG's long new-car warranty is left, and that the servicing has kept it valid.
For the ZS you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Hesitant or Jerky Automatic Gearbox
Owners report the automatic ZS hesitating when pulling away and changing gear with a jerk, especially in slow traffic.
On the test drive, move off gently from a stop several times, creep along in traffic and accelerate firmly onto a main road. It should pull away promptly and change gear smoothly, with no lurch, delay or flaring revs.
Ask whether the gearbox has had any software updates or repairs under warranty. If it hesitates or jerks, have a dealer check it before you buy, and price it in if the warranty has run out.
An Inconsistent Brake Pedal
Some ZS owners report the brake pedal feeling different from one stop to the next, and some report the brakes not stopping the car as they expected (ProductReview owner reviews).
On the drive, brake gently and firmly from different speeds. The pedal should feel the same each time, firm and progressive, and the car should stop straight. Check the brake warning light stays off and the brake fluid is at the mark.
Brakes are safety critical, so any doubt is a reason to have a mechanic or dealer check them before you buy. Ask whether any brake work has been done, with receipts.
Infotainment Glitches
Owners report the ZS's touchscreen freezing, needing a restart, and dropping the phone connection. On most cars the same screen shows the reversing camera (ProductReview owner reviews).
Connect your phone, make a call, play some audio and use the menus for a few minutes. Put the car in reverse and check the camera picture comes up straight away.
A software update often helps, so ask whether the car's software is up to date. If the screen still plays up, price in a dealer visit.
Which MG ZS Years to Avoid?
No single MG ZS 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.
- First generation (2017–2020). 6 to 9 years old, typically about 80,000–110,000 km. ANCAP rating: 4 stars (2017). Stability control is standard; AEB is available from the 2020 model year, not before. 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, so ones first sold from 2019 may still be covered.
- Second generation (2021 on). Up to 5 years old, typically up to about 60,000 km. ANCAP ratings: 4 stars (2017) for cars built to October 2024; 4 stars (2024) for hybrids built from September 2024 to November 2025; 5 stars (2025), expiring December 2031, for cars built from December 2025. Stability control is standard on cars built to October 2024, and AEB is standard from September 2024 builds. The current model. 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. 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, as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows.
For the ZS you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
MG ZS General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for MG ZS problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- First generation 2017–2020
- Second generation 2021 on
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.
01
Exterior
2 checks
01
Exterior
2 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
03
Underbody and Wheels
5 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
5 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
4 checks
06
Documentation
4 checks
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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 ZS 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.
What the General inspection guide can't tell you about the ZS you're looking at
1+
recalls on ZS SUVs built since 2017
8
common faults reported on ZS SUVs built since 2017
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the MG ZS General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them. See the recall notices for the MG ZS on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used MG ZS: Questions Answered
Is a used MG ZS 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 ZS years should I avoid?
No single MG ZS 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 First generation (2017–2020) and Second generation (2021 on) MG ZS. Problems reported across them include hesitant or jerky automatic gear changes, an inconsistent brake pedal and infotainment glitches.
How many kilometres is too many for a used MG ZS?
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 ZS?
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
How do I check a used MG ZS for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on 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
How do I check recalls on a used MG ZS?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the MG ZS. 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.
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
Not ready yet? Start with the free General inspection guide for your car's model.
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Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the used car buying checklist for any car or browse problems and checklists by model.