Used MG5 2020-2025 reliability review
The MG5 is spacious and well-equipped, while a decent range boosts appeal. It's good value used, too.
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What's the used MG MG5 like?
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Reliability
George Hill
Updated: 25 March 2026
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What should I look for in a used MG MG5?
Unlike many competitor EVs, MG provides the full array of cables (including a slow-charge, three-pin lead) with every MG5. Make sure they are all supplied with the car because they can be quite expensive to replace.
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Other than that, you should do all the regular used car checks, such as seeing whether there's any damage to the bumpers and bodywork, examining the alloy wheels for extensive kerb damage, and making sure the interior hasn't been trashed by family life.
What are the most common problems with a used MG MG5?
At the time of writing, the MG5 has two recalls listed. To check whether a car has been affected, you can contact your local MG dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
Vehicle roof bars were previously recorded as being non-load bearing.
How the manufacturer will repair: Confirmation of vehicle roof being capable of carrying 35kg to be sent to dealers and customers.
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Number of affected vehicles: 2531
Date of recall: 17/05/2021
Reason for recall
Brake lights are not activated when the car is regeneratively braking over 1.3m/s2.
How the manufacturer will repair: A software update of the vehicle gateway module to ensure that the brake lights are activated according to the regulation.
Number of affected vehicles: 5803
Date of recall: 22/11/2021
Is a used MG MG5 reliable?
The MG5 performed well in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing in seventh place out of 20 electric cars with a good overall score of 94.1%. That places it above the Cupra Born, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and MG4, but below the BMW i4 and Nissan Leaf.
As a brand, MG did much worse. It finished in 30th place out of 30 manufacturers featured, with a disappointing overall score of 88.9%. That places it below all of its direct rivals.
Used MG5 reliability: the owners' view
In our annual reliability survey, owners said the MG5 offers a generally robust experience, earning a respectable reliability rating despite the brand’s lower overall standing. While the car itself is largely dependable, owners noted that when issues do arise, they often involve the infotainment system or minor electrical "niggles", such as intermittent warning sounds without clear dashboard faults.
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Reader interactions with the dealer network, however, were more varied. While many appreciated the peace of mind provided by the seven-year warranty, some found the repair process frustrating. Reports surfaced of cars being off the road for extended periods due to parts delays, and a few owners described the warranty terms as potentially "misleading" regarding specific components.
Overall, the MG5 is a reliable choice for those seeking a budget-friendly electric estate, provided you have a local dealership that can handle technical fixes efficiently.
Tips & Advice
Don’t miss a recall
If your car is to be recalled, you should arrange the work to be carried out quickly. Sign up to our recall alerts to ensure you’ll not miss a thing
Check for outstanding recalls
Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy
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About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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