SE SR charging issues leaving me in a pickle

[DoctorWolf]

Hello all.

I'm new to EVs and been on this forum for a few short days. Great to be here! I purchased a 23 plate SE standard range on 9th November from a non MG dealer. It is not a refreshed version and the AC charging just doesn't work, although DC does (for now). I've also received many warnings that do generally clear by switching it off and on again. It's been back to the dealer and they can't pinpoint the issue and says it needs to go to MG. They've spoken to them and the earliest they can do a diagnostic is 19th Dec. I'm expecting the dreaded CCU failure. They say I can pick the car up and then take it to MG for the appointment. But what happens if DC charging stops working? And it means I'm going to have to do regular rapid charging ( I'd say every couple of days or so) meaning I've bought this car that's costing me far more than it should (I do have a wall charger). I was wondering what people's thoughts on this are? Do we think the dealer should do more here (e.g. provide me a car that works properly until it's sorted)?

All opinions gratefully received by a novice EV driver.

 

[Everest]

Under CRA2015 IIRC you can reject a vehicle within 30 days of purchase from a dealer - does not apply to purchase from a private individual.

 

[DoctorWolf]

Under CRA2015 IIRC you can reject a vehicle within 30 days of purchase from a dealer - does not apply to purchase from a private individual.

Thanks, Everest.

This may need to be the route I take. But I know it can take time.

Thanks!

 

[Everest]

Not much time - you only have until next Tuesday to reject it.

from... Rejecting a car – your consumer rights | The Car Expert

Short-term right to reject – the first 30 days​

If your new or used car has a significant fault that was present when you bought it (as opposed to developing afterwards), you can reject the car within the first 30 days and get a full refund.

You do not have to accept a repair or replacement vehicle (although you can if you want to).

If you have part-exchanged your previous car on the new one, you will not get it back. Instead, you will be entitled to the full invoice price of the car (including road tax, VAT, etc).

You are entitled to a full refund by the same method in which you paid for the car. The dealer cannot charge for usage, wear and tear, collection of the vehicle or anything else.

It is the dealer’s obligation to collect the vehicle, unless your sales contract includes a clause obliging you to return the car. You only have to make sure the car is available to collect.

Be reasonable about this and work with the dealer if you want to get your money back with minimal fuss. Make their lives difficult and you can be sure they will return the favour…

I was wondering what people's thoughts on this are?

If it were me, for this reason...

they can't pinpoint the issue and says it needs to go to MG.

I'd reject it. Plenty more SE's out there

 

[DoctorWolf]

Not much time - you only have until next Tuesday to reject it.

from... Rejecting a car – your consumer rights | The Car Expert

Short-term right to reject – the first 30 days​

If your new or used car has a significant fault that was present when you bought it (as opposed to developing afterwards), you can reject the car within the first 30 days and get a full refund.

You do not have to accept a repair or replacement vehicle (although you can if you want to).

If you have part-exchanged your previous car on the new one, you will not get it back. Instead, you will be entitled to the full invoice price of the car (including road tax, VAT, etc).

You are entitled to a full refund by the same method in which you paid for the car. The dealer cannot charge for usage, wear and tear, collection of the vehicle or anything else.

It is the dealer’s obligation to collect the vehicle, unless your sales contract includes a clause obliging you to return the car. You only have to make sure the car is available to collect.

Be reasonable about this and work with the dealer if you want to get your money back with minimal fuss. Make their lives difficult and you can be sure they will return the favour…

Sorry, I meant time from rejecting it to getting them to accept the rejection. They seem to think it will be rectified through a software update but the fact they say it needs to go to MG is surely an acknowledgement that the car is not fit for purpose at this current time.

Sorry, I meant time from rejecting it to getting them to accept the rejection. They seem to think it will be rectified through a software update but the fact they say it needs to go to MG is surely an acknowledgement that the car is not fit for purpose at this current time.

Ah, sorry. Just saw your reply saying this.

Cheers!

 

[Tight Git]

As already said I would start the rejection process ASAP.

I'm not aware of the SR having any issues with the CCU unlike the LR in the early 3 phase versions.

 

[DoctorWolf]

As already said I would start the rejection process ASAP.

I'm not aware of the SR having any issues with the CCU unlike the LR in the early 3 phase versions.

Thanks for the advice. It's also annoying that they said you can pick it up and basically deal with the issue for three weeks until MG can have a look. And then, who knows what will be needed to sort it out and how long it would take. I like the car, but I am thinking I should cut my losses and it's dented my confidence in the brand.

 

[siteguru]

IF you're going the rejection route then:

a) you have to stop using the car. (There are some circumstances which allow you to continue using it, but these are few and far between. The seller agreeing to you using it is one). For a rejection it would be best to drop the car off at their premises, hand over all keys and walk away.

b) the 30 day clock stops ticking the moment you advise the seller of the issue. If they take such a time to reach a resolution that the 30 days from purchase date has passed, that's their problem not yours.

c) per the CRA (if using the 30 day right) it would be up to you to prove that there is a major fault with the vehicle. But if the seller has already confirmed and accepted that there is a fault then happy days.

Did you use any form of finance to buy the car? (A credit card for the deposit would be enough).

 

[DoctorWolf]

IF you're going the rejection route then:

a) you have to stop using the car. (There are some circumstances which allow you to continue using it, but these are few and far between. The seller agreeing to you using it is one). For a rejection it would be best to drop the car off at their premises, hand over all keys and walk away.

b) the 30 day clock stops ticking the moment you advise the seller of the issue. If they take such a time to reach a resolution that the 30 days from purchase date has passed, that's their problem not yours.

c) per the CRA (if using the 30 day right) it would be up to you to prove that there is a major fault with the vehicle. But if the seller has already confirmed and accepted that there is a fault then happy days.

Did you use any form of finance to buy the car? (A credit card for the deposit would be enough).

Thanks for the advice. No. I purchased the car outright, although I may have paid a £99 reservation fee on a credit card. The sellers have confirmed there is an issue they can't pinpoint, so hence them saying it needs to go to MG. It's currently witth them so leaving it with them wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Rolfe]

For what it's worth, I'm not aware of any SR ever showing up with the CCU problem. It seems to be restricted to cars with the 64 kwh battery that don't have a rear wiper. But this is absolutely ridiculous for such a new car purchased from the motor trade.

 

[Everest]

But this is absolutely ridiculous for such a new car purchased from the motor trade.

it does make you wonder what preparation the dealer did to the vehicle?

 

[DoctorWolf]

For what it's worth, I'm not aware of any SR ever showing up with the CCU problem. It seems to be restricted to cars with the 64 kwh battery that don't have a rear wiper. But this is absolutely ridiculous for such a new car purchased from the motor trade.

Thanks for the info. Rolfe. I suppose it comes down to the fact that there is a problem and it can't be seen for another three weeks before there's even the possibility of a fix. I'd have to continually rapid charge the car, which just seems crazy when I've got a home charger. Then who knows how long it would be before fixing. Also had a number of warning lights in the short time I've had it and I think I'd be constantly wondering if something else will go wrong. It might all be that it just needs an update but I don't think I can wait to find out.

Cheers

 

[DoctorWolf]

it does make you wonder what preparation the dealer did to the vehicle?

The paperwork classed everything as 'green'. It's funny as when we bought it, they said they would charge it overnight. When we collected it the following day, the salesman apologised and said someone switched the charger off. I'm now wondering if it just cut out? As I said, we originally tried to charge it through the granny charger supplied but it kept stopping. Thought it was our electrics but when it did the same with our newly installed wall charger it was clear there was an issue, especially as the installer was able to charge theirs for an hour with no issue. Their diagnostics today proved that. Pretty gutted. Just hoping they are doing to be reasonable about it.

 

[Everest]

It might all be that it just needs an update but I don't think I can wait to find out.

Personally I doubt an "update" will fix an AC charging issue. Something is broken. And it might not be a quick fix. @Ian Key's took 4.5 months and he had to DC charge meanwhile

from a month before this post...

Post in thread 'Issue with AC charging/New CCU fitted (Phase One SE LR)'

Apr 25, 2025

Mine's going through the process at the moment. They've tried the software update a month ago and it's going in again this morning and they are keeping it overnight so they can do the report for MG who will then approve the CCU replacement.

Update 1:

After taking the car in at 8:30 Wednesday morning they didn't start looking at my car until 3:30 in the afternoon. (Why do dealers do that?) I guess they then reloaded or updated software over the next hour as I got 10 fault notifications on the iSmart app.

The car was then put on charge overnight to see if updating the software had...

• Ian Key

• 
• 

to..

Post in thread 'Issue with AC charging/New CCU fitted (Phase One SE LR)'

Aug 6, 2025

Update: Final

Woohoo!!

My car's fixed.

I collected it at 4pm yesterday afternoon and as it was down to 24% and I hadn't done a balance charge or a calibration charge for over 6 months I took the scenic route home to reduce the battery to under 10%.

Why is it when you want to run the charge down on purpose you seem get more miles per percentage point than when you drive economically?

Anyway it is now sat on my drive at 100% charge

• Ian Key

• 
• 

 

[Rolfe]

It absolutely does sound like the CCU thing. Are you sure it's an SR?

 

[DoctorWolf]

It absolutely does sound like the CCU thing. Are you sure it's an SR?

It's definitely a standard range.

 

[DoctorWolf]

Considering the issues, would people still consider getting another MG4? Would you replace it with a LR, particularly if it was an updated version (24 plate)? Or would you think too many issues, let's move on? I do really like them as a car and they are great to drive, something I realised when driving in the Peak District at the weekend. Handled the windy roads really well.

 

[dsimpkins]

I've had a 23 plate SE LR for nearly 3 years now. It's been great. Only the occasional software issue which is cured with a "reboot". Plenty of MG4s out there, get rid of the lemon, and find another one to replace it with. Just make sure you take it on a test drive and test everything.

 

[Rolfe]

I love my car and have no intention of changing it. I knew if was cheap and cheerful when I got it, and it has surpassed all my expectations. The software is pretty much OK now, just a couple of minor quibbles remaining. My dealer was a nightmare but they did actually do things in the end, albeit with a lot of bad grace, condescension and lying. I split with them because they tried to oversell me £2,000 worth of work at the two-year service.

I sometimes wonder if, knowing what I know now, I'd have gone for the SE LR. What I know now, though, is that I love the car so much I'm going on road trips at a rate I never thought I would do at the time I bought the car! So a few times a year I sometimes feel a little wistful, that's all. But I wanted the LFP battery, for better or for worse.