# 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. Covers: First generation (2017–2020), Second generation (2021 on). Last updated: 2 November 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-mg-zs-inspection-checklist. Printable PDF: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-mg-zs-inspection-checklist.pdf. ## 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. ### 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](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/mg-zs?page=2)). 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](https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/mg-zs?page=2)). 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)](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/zs/2cd523). 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](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/zs/2cd523); [4 stars (2024) for hybrids built from September 2024 to November 2025](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/zs/67243d); [5 stars (2025), expiring December 2031, for cars built from December 2025](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/mg/zs/2acd6f). 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](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 ZS General Inspection Guide A guide to checking for MG ZS 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 - [ ] **Panels.** Walk around the car in daylight and check panel gaps are even and paint colour matches everywhere, including inside the boot lid and door jambs. Overspray on rubber seals or mismatched colour between panels points to earlier crash repair. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Lights.** Turn on every light and indicator, including reverse and fog lights, and check each lens for cracks or condensation inside. Foggy condensation inside a headlight means a failed seal and a likely repair. (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 strong fuel smell on the dipstick can mean the engine isn't burning fuel properly. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Coolant.** Check the coolant reservoir is at the correct mark and the coolant is brightly coloured, not rusty or oily. Signs of frequent top-ups suggest a leak that needs chasing down before buying. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Belts.** Look at the drive belt for cracking, fraying or glazing on its surface. A perished belt can snap without warning and leave you stranded. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Cold start.** Ask the seller not to start the car before you arrive, then start it cold and listen as it settles to idle. A knock, rattle or puff of smoke on a cold start points to engine wear. (Negotiate) ### Underbody and Wheels - [ ] **Tyre wear.** Check all four tyres for tread depth above the wear bars, even wear, and a manufacture date under about six years old. Heavier wear on the front edges can point to worn suspension or poor alignment. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rust.** Crouch down and look at the floor pans and around the suspension mounting points for rust, bent metal or fresh underseal in one patch. Fresh black coating in a single spot often hides repaired crash damage. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Suspension bounce.** Push down hard on each corner of the car and let go; it should rise once and settle without continuing to bounce. A knocking or clunking noise over small bumps often means worn suspension bushes or links. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake discs.** Look through each wheel's spokes at the brake discs for deep grooves or a lip around the outer edge. A raised lip means the discs are thin and due for replacement soon. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Exhaust.** Check the exhaust pipe and muffler for heavy rust, holes or loosely hanging heat shields. A rattling heat shield is cheap to fix but can sound like a bigger problem. (Negotiate) ### Interior and Electrics - [ ] **Warning lights.** Turn the key to "on" without starting the engine and check every dashboard warning light lights up, then goes out once the engine is running. An airbag, ABS or engine light that stays lit needs a clear explanation before buying. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Seatbelts.** Pull each seatbelt out fully and let it retract, checking it latches firmly and the webbing isn't frayed or cut. A belt that doesn't retract smoothly may not hold you properly in a crash. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Infotainment screen.** Use the touchscreen to browse menus, connect your phone and switch to the reversing camera, checking everything responds without freezing. A screen that freezes or restarts itself during normal use points to a software fault. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Air conditioning.** Run the air con for a few minutes and check it blows properly cold air without a musty smell. A weak or warm airflow can mean a low refrigerant charge or failing compressor. (Negotiate) ### Test Drive - [ ] **Automatic transmission.** Automatic: drive from a stop and through several gear changes, checking the car pulls away smoothly with no hesitation, jerk or shudder. Hesitating before moving off or jerky changes at low speed point to a transmission problem. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Manual gearbox.** Manual: check the clutch bites partway through the pedal travel, not right at the top or floor, and gears select without crunching. A clutch biting very high or very low can mean it's near the end of its life. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake feel.** Brake firmly from speed on a quiet road and check the pedal feels solid and the car stops straight without pulling, grinding or pulsing. A pedal that feels soft, sinks slowly, or varies between stops can mean a brake fault that affects stopping power. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Steering feel.** Drive on a straight, flat road and check the car tracks straight without pulling to one side or needing constant correction. Pulling to one side can mean uneven tyre pressures, poor alignment or a suspension fault. (Negotiate) ### Documentation - [ ] **VIN match.** Check the VIN on the registration papers matches the VIN plate on the car, usually found in a door frame or under the bonnet. - [ ] **Service history.** Check the logbook is stamped on schedule and matches any receipts or online service records. Gaps in the service history can affect any remaining warranty claims. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Warranty status.** Check how much of the original factory warranty remains on the car and whether it transfers to a new owner. A car still under warranty can save you money on any early faults. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rego check.** Check the registration is current using your state's online rego check tool before agreeing to buy. An expired or soon-to-expire rego adds cost you'll need to budget for. (Negotiate) ## 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. ## 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 (https://shufti.com.au/guides/used-car-inspection-options) ### 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 (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 ZS? Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the MG ZS (https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/browse-all-recalls?search=MG%20ZS). 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).