MOT Fail! Lower Suspension Arm Bushings

[tsedge]

Great news @tsedge, so has the decision now changed to Megane / Born / Urban.

No, it is going to be second hand, but I suppose a bright red MG4 ER would be a tempting possibility...

 

[Rolfe]

Tempting.

 

[MGL123]

Just wondering if the cars with the faulty bushes have vibrations in the steering wheel? I have new tires and had them fitted by a specialist, but still same problem. It always feels a bit like there are no bushes at all.

 

[tsedge]

Just wondering if the cars with the faulty bushes have vibrations in the steering wheel? I have new tires and had them fitted by a specialist, but still same problem. It always feels a bit like there are no bushes at all.

I noticed no vibrations or any indications of a problem.

 

[tsedge]

Well, I can keep quiet no longer - it has been over a month and I still haven't received the goodwill payment.

It has been a comedy of errors, but basically the very dealer (MG Newton Abbot) that caused me all the problems in the first place will simply not respond to MG UK to return the paperwork necessary for a goodwill payment. Apparently nothing can happen until this is sorted out.

I'm at the end of my tether with this...

 

[Rolfe]

I'm not at all surprised, that's appalling.

The new dealer I went to, after the shocking behaviour of Vertu Motors in Edinburgh, was kind enough to advise me to get my MOT done in good order in time to claim on the warranty if the suspension bushes were a problem. Although I'd already had them checked, this was appreciated.

 

[Papadusha]

Just changed only right front lower swing arm front bushing by warranty on 50045 km

 

[tsedge]

Ok... so we've now received the goodwill payment.

In the end, getting it escalated to the dealer principal and within MG UK has sorted things out.

It is a shame it took so long, but the result is still a good one for us.

I'm feeling conflicted... it is a good result but it has taken a lot of my time and effort to get there. Would another make be any different? Or am I thinking the grass is always greener...?

 

[Alb]

Sometimes better the devil you know.

 

[Rolfe]

It's possible they may handle you with kid gloves from now on.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Just got back from a pre- MOT inspection at 33 months old ( our official 1st MOT is 48 months ) with instructions to the MOT guy to check all the things on a 36 month warranty...... and after clouting a kerb with both nearside wheels . ( the less said about that the better ). And everything came back perfect, so no trips to the dealer. The MOT guy said it was his first MG and seemed to like it ( he has a Clio sport ) in fact so much so he said the check was gratuit ....... what a nice bloke .

 

[dawson2099]

Just been in for third service and first MOT at 32,000 miles and it failed the MOT on worn lower-arm bushings (both at front, one failed and one part-worn). The video evidence looks convincing.

Anyone else had a problem with these?

£250 each at my MG dealer to fix, because they replace the whole lower arm, although I believe the bushing itself is about £15 (but would need pressing into the existing lower arm assembly).

Have booked in but will also find out what the cost would be at an independent garage and if they'll just change the bushings, not the arms. Will cancel if I find a cheaper option.

Be curious if this is a common problem due to the weight of EVs? Wouldn't have expected this at such a low mileage, yes at 80,000 miles perhaps.

Video here:

Same here but advisory. Independent inspection reported minimal wear and able to simply replace bush at much lower cost (once part available!). Next year.

 

[Lovemyev]

Just got back from a pre- MOT inspection at 33 months old ( our official 1st MOT is 48 months ) with instructions to the MOT guy to check all the things on a 36 month warranty...... and after clouting a kerb with both nearside wheels . ( the less said about that the better ). And everything came back perfect, so no trips to the dealer. The MOT guy said it was his first MG and seemed to like it ( he has a Clio sport ) in fact so much so he said the check was gratuit ....... what a nice bloke .

It’s nice that some people are NOT purely there in order to lighten your wallet at every opportunity.
The items that was causing you concern on the N/S ( due to a disagreement the with the edge of the kerb ) was probably going to get checked on the MOT anyway, hence no additional charge.
Had you have bent anything on the front suspension, I think you would have noticed that the steering wheel had suddenly become un-centred when travelling on a straight road, plus and the car started pulling to one side.
Abnormal tyre wear would have been evident also after a while.
Always best to mention it though for total peace of mind .

 

[Bam Bam]

Service and MOT booked for the 4th of June so fingies crossed for a good outcome there.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

It’s nice that some people are NOT purely there in order to lighten your wallet at every opportunity.
The items that was causing you concern on the N/S ( due to a disagreement the with the edge of the kerb ) was probably going to get checked on the MOT anyway, hence no additional charge.
Had you have bent anything on the front suspension, I think you would have noticed that the steering wheel had suddenly become un-centred when travelling on a straight road, plus and the car started pulling to one side.
Abnormal tyre wear would have been evident also after a while.
Always best to mention it though for total peace of mind .

I had done myself all the normal checks , well those you can do with the car on the ground with dodgy knees and a bad back , but the belts and braces inspection was because of the time difference between the official MOT and the expiry date of the suspension parts warranty. These
of course are easier with the car on a lift with a knowledgeable person performing them.
Again , after the incident with a jutting out kerb which lifted both N/S wheels about 4 inches in the air in turn , the tyres seemed to have taken most of the force , there was a 6 inch long black steak of rubber on each wheel trim where the tyre had folded or been pushed up and back. Doing a rolling tracking check and listening for unusual sounds or missing wheel weights revealed nothing . the wheels are still round and the black marks came off with some WD 40 , even the tyre pressures stayed good so the sealing bead had stayed intact. No other visual damage evident and of course the peace of mind of a professional opinion. So it looks like I dodged a bullet with that one and now knowing the MG4 might be a bit tougher than first given credit for.

 

[Rolfe]

Please remember to update your MOT experiences here.

Thread 'First MOT, phase one MG4s'

Mar 9, 2026

What it says on the tin. The phase one cars are going through their first MOTs now and a couple of people have had problems. This is to try to gauge how common these actually are, maybe get people thinking about a pre-MOT check before something suddenly rears its head five minutes before that particular warranty runs out. Please say whether your car is an SE SR, an SE LR or a Trophy in your comment.

If you have had any advisories please say what these were, also if your car has failed on something other than the suspension issue.

ETA: It would also be helpful if people could state their...

• Rolfe
• mg4 mot phase one se lr se sr suspension issue trophy warranty
• Replies: 55
• Forum: MG4 EV (2022 to 2025) Forum

• 

 

[KH11]

Just had my 3rd service and mot on my MG4 Trophy long range on Thursday. It passed the only advisory is that they say I will need 2 new tyres on the rear soon.

I am not going to rush into doing anything as yet as I might be going to change the car in a couple of months. I have been getting prices for the New MG4 extended range which is currently being offered on a 0% PCP package but I am also interested in the New Nissan Leaf too which is currently not expected in the showrooms till August.