2004 MG ZS 2.5L Petrol · BX53 KHT

The 2004 MG ZS holds a current MOT certificate issued on 23 May 2026 at 93,047 miles, so the test is just under one month old and fully valid. The maintenance trend over the past two years is broadly stable rather than clearly improving or worsening. The most recent test passed, but it still flagged general corrosion and underseal degradation, an offside front brake backing plate corroded and slightly insecure, and a front bumper slightly loose. These are the same low-level body and corrosion issues that have appeared repeatedly since 2024, suggesting the car has been kept roadworthy but not cosmetically restored. At roughly 4,229 miles per year, the recorded mileage is low for a 22-year-old vehicle. The annual tests show fairly consistent use: 90,519 miles in May 2024, 91,812 miles in May 2025, and 93,047 miles in May 2026, which is an increase of about 1,293 miles over the most recent 12-month period. There are no sudden mileage jumps or suspicious gaps in the record, and the MOT entries line up with a pattern of steady, light annual mileage rather than long periods of disuse or very high use. The recurring advisories and minor failures point to a car that has lived with surface corrosion and loose exterior trim for some time. The front bumper has been flagged as loose in every test from 2024 to 2026, and underseal coverage has been noted as deteriorating across the same period. A buyer should inspect the bumper mountings, subframe mounting points, and front structure carefully, especially the offside front chassis leg where corrosion was noted in May 2024. The offside front brake backing plate corrosion and slight insecurity in the latest test also warrant a close check of the front braking system for corrosion-related weakness or uneven wear. Underneath, the general corrosion and underseal condition suggest the car may have spent time in damp or salted-road conditions without thorough rust treatment. Prospective buyers should examine the sills, jacking points, suspension mounting areas, and exhaust system, particularly the front mounting that was defective in May 2025. While the MOT record shows no major structural failure or dangerous defects, the pattern is one of cosmetic and surface corrosion management rather than deep preventative maintenance. A thorough underside inspection is advisable before purchase.