Name: MG 3 (2014 to 2024) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: MG 3
Rating: 58.0

Summary

The MG 3 (styled as MG3) is a small, supermini-class, five-door hatchback. It was launched in the UK back in 2014, with a major facelift arriving in 2019. It was finally discontinued in early 2024, ahead of an all-new model’s arrival.

There is very little to recommend the MG 3 over any other similarly-priced small cars. It had a sub-par three-star safety rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP seven years ago, and that rating has now expired because the car doesn’t even meet the required standard for a three-star rating anymore.

As a used car, it might be worth looking at if the price was low enough, but the MG 3 doesn’t stack up as a new car. The Dacia Sandero is both significantly cheaper and significantly better (although it has its own safety concerns), while more expensive rivals are both better and safer.

As of May 2024, the MG 3 has a very poor Used Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It scores top marks for its very low running costs, while its CO₂ emissions are also low, but its safety score is very poor and its media review scores were also terrible.

More MG Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

MG 3 highlights

Seven-year new car warranty
Attractive low-cost pricing
Decent cabin space
Appealing exterior update
Agile handling

MG 3 lowlights

Poor engine quality
Cheap interior trim
Bumpy ride
Very basic safety features
Poor fuel economy

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchback
Engine: petrol
Price: From £13,820 on-road

Launched: Spring 2014
Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The MG3 supermini is a smart-looking and simple supermini with an attractively low starting price.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 3 handles better than you might expect from a car of this price, and it’s had some decent updates to the interior. But the old 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine lacks the necessary puff.”
Read review

Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 3 is a very affordable supermini; it costs several thousand pounds less than some of its rivals. But it lacks the necessary puff, especially when compared with the perky engines of its rivals.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The MG 3 is a good-looking car: subtly sporting, modern and anything but cheap.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Exclusive
Score: 6 / 10
“While there are certain things to like about the new MG3, such as its competitive pricing, extensive warranty and the sheer amount of metal you get for your money, it remains a disappointing package.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 3 is not an unpleasant car to drive but it needs some proper old-school MG tuning and a lot more power to get some attention.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It may be budget on price, but the MG 3 certainly has enough in its armour to be a worth supermini contender. As far as affordable runabouts go it’s a hard car to beat.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5.6 / 10
“The MG3 is a characterful and cheap supermini that is severely hampered by a lacklustre engine”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The MG3 is a small city car that’s cheap to buy and relatively roomy but it isn’t as nice to drive as alternatives and lacks some common safety kit.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Excite
“The MG3 is a perfectly enjoyable, if not very spirited, car to drive – smooth, at ease on faster roads, with positive steering and is well insulated against road and engine noise. The dash, facia and seats aren’t the most upmarket around but then you wouldn’t expect luxury fittings anyway.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The MG3 offers decent chassis, performance and price.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 3 stands out because of its value for money. You get a lot of bang for your buck as they say. It’s also quite a pretty car in its latest guise, and keen drivers will be surprised by how well it handles. It’s a pity the engine is so weak and thirsty, though, and it has increasingly started to feel its age in key areas.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG3 sits at the affordable end of the small hatch market, but it doesn’t feel like a cheap product. Instead, it’s one of the most underrated small cars on the market, even if it’s beginning to show its age.”
Read review

Motors.co.uk+

Model reviewed:
Score: 2 / 10
“The MG 3 offers a decent drive and roomy interior at a low price, but but the interior feels cheap, the engine is thirsty and ride quality is poor.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6.4 / 10
“The MG is an interesting, colourful alternative to mainstream low-cost cars.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
“MG is finally carving out a legitimate slot in the market. Going up against brands such as Dacia and SsangYong, it’s differentiating itself by placing emphasis on attractive design, which pushes it more towards young drivers than elderly potterers destined for the care home.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The MG 3 is certainly a better-looking car than its predecessor and there’s more equipment, a better-looking interior, a seven-year warranty and a low 4E insurance group.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Score: 5 / 10
“Not quite the awful snotter we were expecting. But it is ruined by an awful engine.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“The MG 3 is keenly priced, but a bumpy ride, wheezy engine and disappointing safety rating all count against it.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: June 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 69%
Child protection: 71%
Vulnerable road users: 59%
Safety assist: 38%

No safety rating

The MG 3 was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and achieved a three-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years. In some cases, Euro NCAP will re-test a model if it’s still on sale, but this hasn’t yet happened with the MG 3.

However, if you are comparing a used MG 3 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The MG 3 was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the MG 3 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the MG 3, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	43 mpg	C	43 – 43 mpg	C – C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	147 g/km	B	147 – 147 g/km	B – B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	7	A	7 – 7	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£146	A
Year 2	£426	A
Year 3	£682	A
Year 4	£853	A
Year 5	£1,150	A
Overall	£3,257	A

Running cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner Clear Vehicle Data displays that, while the MG 3 is an ageing car that struggles when compared to other budget options like the Dacia Sandero, it is certainly cheap to run and maintain.

Only available with a petrol powertrain, the MG 3 has an average fuel consumption of 43 mpg, which is surpassed by several newer hatchbacks like the Dacia Sandero and Volkswagen Polo by 10 mpg or more. If you decide to opt for this MG however, the service and maintenance costs are quite affordable when compared to the market as a whole, as is the car’s insurance.