Why I sold my MG4 Trophy

[highsider]

I had high hopes for this car, but after 2 years of ownership it had to go. Our circumstances will be different from most owners, but the purchase of a used Tesla Model 3 performance put the MG4 in to sharp perspective for us.

The good;

• price new was very good
• the car has great range (and is accurate)
• it is a good looking car

The bad;

• app to car communication is cell (mobile) only
• software is flaky (I never got bluetooth working properly, and had a couple of worrying glitches whilst driving)
• MG lie of remote software updates
• MG support for software updates
• Traction control was not very good in colder months

To add context, we live in an area of zero cell/mobile signal. Hard to believe, but we're in a small valley - so we rely 100% on wifi for communication (wifi calling). The Tesla works via wifi as well as cell, the MG does not (despite the salesperson's claim). So pre-heatings / cooling or checking the charge level is not possible.

When the car was in for its second service this year, I heard the MG service manager say they no longer update the software as a matter of course. Customers have to claim an issue with the software, then the dealer will update the software to rectify a fault. This is not the dealer being difficult - this is MG manufacture's instructions. This is what I heard. Hardly felt being looked after. It's their fault for making it a faff to update the software.

I could not get over the remote software updates screen - that never received updates. This was advertised (as I remember), so feels like a vaporware trick to make the car more attractive, so a whiff of dishonesty.

Lastly, the software never worked properly - even after two major updates. This is shocking.

In contrast, the used Tesla model 3 - which is 3 years older than the MG4 - has been flawless. I'm not a fan of Musk, but the Tesla engineers made an amazing car. It is bonkers fast and does all the basics well and is always receiving updates and small improvements. It's not perfect, but incredible value as a used EV. Unbelievable, MG could not copy such a good example.

If the MG4 worked on wifi and the software worked properly, we would keep it. The MG4 is being replaced by a used Polestar 2 so we don't look like the Elon fan club household.

 

[GaryMG4]

The software and supercharger network is what Tesla got right, M3 highland isn't a bad looking car but it's not a hatchback, the rest of the Tesla range are just fugly. Our poverty spec Niro doesn't have any app connection but its not really an issue, the MG4 does its job ok not perfect but it was a good chunk cheaper than anything comparable and it was the first Ev that I liked and was a price I was willing to pay.