is the MG3 hybrid ok for low milage users?

[Deleted member 22288]

I keep mine when not in use on trickle charge so that the battery does not discharge, but you will notice after about 4 days the app will not connect with the car until you turn open the door and it starts all the systems again, this is not an error or issue, just the car shutting down fully when not in use for long periods, we were away for about 30 days recently and when we came back we unplugged it and off it went as happy as larry....

 

[theforestdweller]

Also worth checking if you are entitled to "Affinity" pricing. I got £1644 off list price for my MG3 Hybrid+Trophy edition when ordering in February this year.

 

[Deleted member 22288]

Also worth checking if you are entitled to "Affinity" pricing. I got £1644 off list price for my MG3 Hybrid+Trophy edition when ordering in February this year.

Affinity is ok, but quite limited, but doing the CARWOW thing got me a top of the range one for £19k (just over) it is always forth checking these car sales sites first and then going to the dealer, and you do not have to go to the local one, mine is about 20 miles away, but brilliant, a historical Rover dealer, who got shafted big time by MGR when it went bust, but came back after a few false starts with other brands like Chevy... but now they are doing brilliant sales... And I am so happy with the car, had it since March 1st done 700 miles, yes I know, but we have been away for a large chunk of that time, and we are taking it Germany in October for 5 days... so should be interesting how it copes on the Autobahns, with unlimited speed.. LOL...

 

[JEH]

I am thinking of getting an MG3 hybrid, however the problem I face is that my current car covers around 3 to 4k miles a year. Sometimes I do not use the car for a week, other times it may be short trip to the shops I do hear horror stories about the 12 volt battery on the Toyota Yaris and was wondering if people had a similar problem with the MG or whether I should avoid hybrids. I took one for a test drive and liked it.

Avoid MG 3

 

[theforestdweller]

I've owned my MG3 Hybrid+ for just over 8 months, with only just over one thousand miles on the clock. The car is often left for two weeks at a time between short shopping journeys or left at airport while on holiday. I've not noticed any problems. In the summer months the car always starts in EV mode, but now the cooler weather has arrived it often starts in HEV mode.

I have however put my dealership on notice before the car was 6 months old, that I would be rejecting it if the NCAP seat failure was not addressed. I'm waiting very patiently!

 

[mgpooter]

Have had mine for over 18 months now and only just over 5K miles done in that time. Have had no issues at all with the car but do keep an eye on the 12v battery's health. If it is looking a bit low from lack of use or short journeys I put it on a trickle charger or a battery charging solar panel sitting on the parcel shelf. Just like our old ICE cars really when lack of use has always been a battery destroyer.
Suggest checking the battery when the car is all switched off - when you want to see at least 12.5 - 13v. Once down to 12v replacement is needed. Note the 12v battery is being charged by the main power battery even in 'EV' mode. When you check the voltage shown on the dash this is the charging voltage which so far has varied from 13.9 - 14.7v. Hope this helps.

 

[Freeway]

With that mileage my advice would be to go pure electric.

The car will cost you pennies to run if you can plug in at home.

There are some good small electric vehicles out there now if the MG4 is too big for your needs.

I don't know if MG3 will ever be pure EV but it's not much smaller than MG4. (I think)

Hi there.Bought my MG3 Hybrid SE July 24 had no problems untill now.We like you do low mileage.
3800 since we bought it.Manly shortish journeys.2 weeks ago didn't use it for 2 weeks.My wife had no problems starting iit and drove about 3 miles.On the way back she stopped at some lights but when she went to drive on power.I put a jump start on the 12v battery in the boot and got power at once.Did a few more drives the next day or so and no problems so i thought is was a one off.i was wrong.Got stuck in traffic next day and again went to pull aeway but no power.So we got out locked the car unlocked it got in.It powered up at once.Not driving it untill Glyn Hopkin check it out.I think the 12 battery isn't being charged enough doing short journeys.We know of 3 people who have the Toyota hybrid and have the same problem and have to charge their batteries.also one has a Honda Jazz hybrid and has to charge.So may that person is correct about !00% electric.Our neighbour has a Toyota plugin.so after about 30 miles it is driving on engine.

 

[Scotsman]

I've owned my MG3 Hybrid+ for just over 8 months, with only just over one thousand miles on the clock. The car is often left for two weeks at a time between short shopping journeys or left at airport while on holiday. I've not noticed any problems. In the summer months the car always starts in EV mode, but now the cooler weather has arrived it often starts in HEV mode.

I have however put my dealership on notice before the car was 6 months old, that I would be rejecting it if the NCAP seat failure was not addressed. I'm waiting very patiently!

The dealership should be getting in touch regarding the seat there is a recall for modification for the seat it was announced last week if I remember correctly?

 

[Scotsman]

Hi there.Bought my MG3 Hybrid SE July 24 had no problems untill now.We like you do low mileage.
3800 since we bought it.Manly shortish journeys.2 weeks ago didn't use it for 2 weeks.My wife had no problems starting iit and drove about 3 miles.On the way back she stopped at some lights but when she went to drive on power.I put a jump start on the 12v battery in the boot and got power at once.Did a few more drives the next day or so and no problems so i thought is was a one off.i was wrong.Got stuck in traffic next day and again went to pull aeway but no power.So we got out locked the car unlocked it got in.It powered up at once.Not driving it untill Glyn Hopkin check it out.I think the 12 battery isn't being charged enough doing short journeys.We know of 3 people who have the Toyota hybrid and have the same problem and have to charge their batteries.also one has a Honda Jazz hybrid and has to charge.So may that person is correct about !00% electric.Our neighbour has a Toyota plugin.so after about 30 miles it is driving on engine.

Buy yourself a trickle charger that way you won't have a flat battery that's if the cars parked near the house that is ?

 

[mgpooter]

Yes short infrequent journeys do the 12v battery no good at all, just as on our ICE motors.
As the main power battery charges the 12v one (via a DC/DC converter) you can simply charge the 12v battery when the car is simply switched on and go nowhere. The voltage shown on the driver's screen (typically 13.9 to 14.7v) is only the voltage as its being charged.
Check the battery with a voltmeter when the car is switched off. 12 hours after a full charge it should be between 12.3 & 12.7v
A trickle charger works of course but I have at times connected a 12v solar cell panel which can simply be laid on the parcel shelf with the wires running down to the battery.
We only did 3500mls in the first year but ensuring the battery was OK we went on holiday for 4 weeks in Feb with no problem starting up after it. Happy MotorinG !

 

[Scotsman]

With that mileage my advice would be to go pure electric.

The car will cost you pennies to run if you can plug in at home.

There are some good small electric vehicles out there now if the MG4 is too big for your needs.

I don't know if MG3 will ever be pure EV but it's not much smaller than MG4. (I think)

All electric won't help it still has a 12 volt battery fitted so lack of use the battery could become flat just like any other type of fuel propelled vehicle so trickle charger best bet in my opinion.

 

[Scotsman]

All electric won't help it still has a 12 volt battery fitted so lack of use the battery could become flat just like any other type of fuel propelled vehicle so trickle charger best bet in my opinion.

Or mgpooters advice solar powered charger

 

[Freeway]

Yes short infrequent journeys do the 12v battery no good at all, just as on our ICE motors.
As the main power battery charges the 12v one (via a DC/DC converter) you can simply charge the 12v battery when the car is simply switched on and go nowhere. The voltage shown on the driver's screen (typically 13.9 to 14.7v) is only the voltage as its being charged.
Check the battery with a voltmeter when the car is switched off. 12 hours after a full charge it should be between 12.3 & 12.7v
A trickle charger works of course but I have at times connected a 12v solar cell panel which can simply be laid on the parcel shelf with the wires running down to the battery.
We only did 3500mls in the first year but ensuring the battery was OK we went on holiday for 4 weeks in Feb with no problem starting up after it. Happy MotorinG !

Hi mgpooter.Have no problem starting.The 2 breakdowns happened stopped at lights and in traffic.Can you plug the 12v solar into the charger
point under the dash.

 

[Freeway]

I also have a dash cam but doesn't record when car isn't used like some.

 

[mgpooter]

Hi 'Freeway' - you ask "Can you plug the 12v solar into the charger", the answer has to be no.
You would plug the charger into the mains to directly charge the 12v battery in the boot. Or you simply connect the solar panel directly to the 12v battery. Don't know anything about stuff under the dash or dash cams myself.
If you had a breakdown at the lights, that is something else, then I would be on to the the AA + MG dealer.
Note in your first post that you used a jump start on the 12v battery - I believe that is a no-no best check into this. Best of luck.

 

[Freeway]

Hi 'Freeway' - you ask "Can you plug the 12v solar into the charger", the answer has to be no.
You would plug the charger into the mains to directly charge the 12v battery in the boot. Or you simply connect the solar panel directly to the 12v battery. Don't know anything about stuff under the dash or dash cams myself.
If you had a breakdown at the lights, that is something else, then I would be on to the the AA + MG dealer.
Note in your first post that you used a jump start on the 12v battery - I believe that is a no-no best check into this. Best of luck.

Thanks for that.It's booked in on 11th December at
Glyn Hopkin Watford.I will try to have it brought
forward because we don't want to use it as it is.
Will let you know the outcome.

 

[IDC]

All cars with combustion engines, benefit from an Italian tune up every few months. Our car pretty much gets one every week, when we visit a relative and once a year, it gets a big drive and is used for a holiday, when I also put in a fuel system cleaner. That keeps it running sweet.