Car shoppers are being advised to avoid a popular compact car from MG, a Chinese-owned brand, due to a significant safety flaw uncovered during recent tests.
Euro NCAP, a crash safety organization, identified a crucial issue with the MG 3, prompting them to suggest exploring alternative options. Which?, a consumer group, has also issued a warning labeling the model as a “don’t buy.”
The MG 3 hatchback, priced from £17,245 and offered in both petrol and full hybrid versions, debuted in February 2024. By the end of March 2025, over 9,000 vehicles from this series had been registered in the UK.
Euro NCAP disclosed that the MG 3 experienced a critical safety failure during testing, specifically in a challenging frontal offset test. This test involves crashing the car at a 62mph offset angle, revealing a flaw in the driver’s seat adjuster, causing the seat to twist during impact.
This failure is unprecedented in Euro NCAP’s history of testing vehicles since its inception in 1997. Despite awarding the MG 3 four out of five stars for other aspects of the crash test, Euro NCAP could not deduct points for the component failure within their current scoring system.
Dr. Aled Williams, Euro NCAP’s program director, expressed concern over the fundamental weakness in the seat latching mechanism of the MG 3, prompting consideration for a possible vehicle recall. Euro NCAP recommends consumers explore safer alternatives using their website’s search tool.
The UK’s DVSA is actively monitoring the situation, while MG has pledged to address the driver’s seat latching mechanism and airbag starting from August and October, respectively. However, these changes will not apply to vehicles already owned by customers.
Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, highlighted the rapid growth of China’s car industry and emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards for cars sold in European markets.
MG, previously a British brand, is now fully owned by SAIC Motor Corporation, a major Chinese automaker. Recent figures show a significant increase in MG car sales in the UK compared to other popular brands like Mini, Renault, and Vauxhall.
In conclusion, safety concerns regarding the MG 3 highlight the need for stringent safety measures in the rapidly expanding Chinese car industry, ensuring European market vehicles meet high safety standards.
