No drive on MGS5

[TimothyN]

I didn't want to post this because I was only 99% sure, but I have now tested it, and my car drives perfectly well without my seatbelt on.

I owe you an apology. I was sitting in stationary traffic today and removed my seatbelt to get something from the passenger door pocket.

The traffic started to move and I tried to start without putting my seatbelt on, but it wouldn't. To get it to drive I had to put on the seatbelt, put it in P and then in drive. It took a very long time (I'm amazed the car behind didn't hoot, by the time I moved I must've been 30 car lengths back).

So, you are quite right, it won't drive with the seatbelt taken off when it's in drive, though it will if you put it in drive with your seatbelt off.

 

[TonyP]

I've experienced the same problem. This has only happened to me and not my partner who drives the car daily. The only difference is that I always have my phone in my pocket that I believe may be causing interference with the seatbelt sensors?

 

[Dario]

This issue still happens from time to time. Guess it’s just a bug in the system. Oh and it’s happened on two different vehicles (both same make model spec). I can say this as the dealer kindly swapped my first car for another (yes I couldn’t believe either) which unfortunately has the same intermittent problem. Had not occurred for about 3 weeks and just happened there again tonight.

 

[TonyP]

Do you have a phone in your pocket when the error occurred?

 

[Dario]

Phone is always on the wireless charging pad.

 

[TonyP]

My phone is also connected to android auto wirelessly and my partner's is not. Will have to investigate further. Very annoying and potentially danger when it happens.

 

[mcderd]

Sorry to report that the "No drive" issue occurred again yesterday. This is the first time it has happened since it was in the dealers (Arnold Clark Rutherglen) on 02/09/25. Worryingly it took several more seconds to clear and for drive to return. I have now contacted the finance company to make them aware of the situation. I have also contacted the supplying dealership (MG Chorley Blackpool) again (they were emailed on 14/08/25 to make them aware of the problem).
This issue aside i'm enjoying car. Just hope we can get this sorted.

Why did you inform the finance company? I have had an issue with my car from the day I picked it up (November 27th), the dealer is trying to get help from MG, but no fix as yet. Should I inform the finance company?

Phone is always on the wireless charging pad.

I have a strange issue with my car, I have wondered if it is phone interference, out of interest, what model phone do you have, and does it support wireless charging?

 

[tsedge]

Why did you inform the finance company? I have had an issue with my car from the day I picked it up (November 27th), the dealer is trying to get help from MG, but no fix as yet. Should I inform the finance company?

Your finance company owns the car, not you, so informing them not only lets them know, in some cases they can put pressure on the maker/dealer to get a situation resolved.

 

[mcderd]

Thanks. That's interesting, I will do that tomorrow. Do they normally have a particular department I should contact?

 

[Dario]

It happened again yesterday afternoon. On this occasion it lasted long enough for me to miss getting through a set of traffic lights. It has not lasted this long on this car to date.
Can only hope that as it happens to other cars a solution will be found. I had three passengers in the car (all wearing their seat belts).

 

[tsedge]

Thanks. That's interesting, I will do that tomorrow. Do they normally have a particular department I should contact?

Just use customer services.

 

[Ian Key]

It happened again yesterday afternoon. On this occasion it lasted long enough for me to miss getting through a set of traffic lights. It has not lasted this long on this car to date.
Can only hope that as it happens to other cars a solution will be found. I had three passengers in the car (all wearing their seat belts).

How long were you stationary for?

Page 195 of the owner's manual says:
The Auto Hold will exit the parking state under some
circumstances such as unfastening the seat belt, turning off
the power system, remaining static for a length of time or
pressing the Auto Hold switch. At this time, the EPB will
be applied.

 

[Dario]

About 4 minutes I would say. Been stationary for longer and it’s not occurred. I’ve had the car checked by the independent engineer appointed by the finance company. He could not find the fault or a code related to it. He did find an error with the foot brake switch. I’ll have to book it into the garage to have this checked. However as I said he said that the two issues were unrelated. The problem as it always has been is if they cannot find the fault they cannot fix.

 

[Ferretusmaximus]

Experienced the same problem in my MG4 (as did other MG4 owners - there are posts referencing the problem). Press the go pedal and the car rocks against the brake and displays the seatbelt sign. Releasing and reapplying the seatbelt was the quickest solution I found to the problem.

 

[TonyP]

Why did you inform the finance company? I have had an issue with my car from the day I picked it up (November 27th), the dealer is trying to get help from MG, but no fix as yet. Should I inform the finance company?


I have a strange issue with my car, I have wondered if it is phone interference, out of interest, what model phone do you have, and does it support wireless charging?

I have a Xiaomi redmi 11 phone. It does not support wireless charging.