Used MG ZS (Mk1, 2017-date) buyer’s guide: long warranty adds to SUV’s appeal

Verdict

MG has seen dramatic expansion in the UK over the past five years or so, and at first it was the MG ZS that drove that, as the firm’s biggest-selling model. The HS has since taken the top slot in MG’s sales charts, but that doesn’t diminish the ZS’s appeal if you’re looking for a great-value, family-friendly car that’s decently equipped, comfortable and comes with a long warranty. But while purchase costs are low, running costs may not be, due to relatively inefficient engines and high servicing costs. These criticisms don’t apply to electric models, but they cost much more to insure, so do your homework before buying and pin down what the ownership costs will be.

When it comes to brand heritage, few car makers can compete with MG, which celebrates its centenary this year. Founded in Oxfordshire in 1924, the company went on to create some of the best-loved sports cars and sporting hatchbacks ever made. But the days of the MGB roadster and the Maestro EFi hot hatch are a world away from what the manufacturer has morphed into: a builder of value-focused family-friendly hatchbacks and SUVs. 

Under Chinese ownership since 2005, MG Motor has thrived in the UK, and it’s thanks to cars such as the ZS, which was launched seven years ago. Offered with petrol and electric powertrains, the ZS is no class leader in any sense, but that doesn’t stop this smart-looking small SUV from being a very sensible second-hand buy.

History

The MG ZS hit UK showrooms in November 2017, priced from £12,495 and available with a 105bhp non-turbo four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine, or a 110bhp three-cylinder turbocharged 1.0-litre powerplant. While the 1.5-litre engine came only with a five-speed manual gearbox, the 1.0 GDI came solely in six-speed auto form; a six-speed manual would become optional later, while all ZSs are front-wheel drive.

In May 2019, orders opened for the ZS EV, priced from £21,495 (with a special launch discount) and with a 44.5kWh battery pack, which was upgraded to a 72kWh item in November 2021. In the meantime, in July 2020, the regular ZS was updated with LED headlights, better interior trim and extra standard kit.

Which one should I buy?

The ZS EV is the best variant to drive and the cheapest to run, and it’s very usable, thanks to its generous real-world range. With values pretty much on a par with the petrol models, we’d suggest that you don’t dismiss the electric version too readily. 

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If you’re intent on buying ICE, the 1.0T engine is usefully more perky than the 1.5 VTi alternative, assuming that you stick with a manual gearbox. An Explore edition was offered early on, but this spartan model was soon axed, leaving the Excite and Exclusive. The former comes with 17-inch alloys, air-con, an eight-inch touchscreen (10.1-inch from the 2020 facelift), roof rails, rear parking sensors and cruise control. Exclusive adds sat-nav, and a rear parking camera; the 2020 refresh added heated front seats and a 360-degree camera.

Alternatives to the MG ZS

The petrol-engined ZS is up against lots of alternatives, including some very talented contenders such as the Renault Captur, Ford Puma and Kia Stonic, and they’re better all-rounders than the MG. We’d say that the Skoda Kamiq, SEAT Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross (which are all related to each other) are also better overall, but they’re more costly than the MG.

Other rivals to the petrol ZS include the Peugeot 2008 and its cousins, the Vauxhall Mokka and Citroen C3 Aircross, along with the Mazda CX-30, Nissan Juke, Dacia Duster and Hyundai Kona. 

The ZS EV has fewer rivals, but you still need to consider the Peugeot E-2008, Vauxhall Mokka Electric, Citroen e-C4, DS 3 Crossback, and even the Jeep Avenger if you’re looking at newer cars; amazingly, all five models share the same underpinnings. There’s also the more expensive Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, which are both a better comparison with the ZS EV in terms of size and practicality.

What to look for

Column change

Some steering columns have been replaced under warranty. The universal joint fell apart on at least one ZS.

Range

MG claims the ZS EV can do 163 miles (44.5kWh) and 273 miles (72.6kWh) on a single charge. Expect 130-160 and 210-270 miles in the real world.

Exhaust filter

If it seems like the engine is misfiring, it’s probably because the exhaust particulate filter is clogged. Hard deceleration is the cure.

Lights

The automatic headlights on the ZS have a habit of coming on when it’s light. Removing the fuse and replacing it often fixes things.

Interior

The dashboards of some modern cars can be overwhelming, but not here. The standard touchscreen provides an up-to-date feel, but you’re not bamboozled with buttons and switches galore. Some of the materials can’t match those in rival cars, but they’re designed more for durability than luxury, and the MG’s cabin is perfectly comfortable. 

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While the steering wheel only adjusts for rake and not reach, with lots of driver’s seat adjustment, it’s easy to get comfy. Rear-seat space is good, with enough room for two adults or three at a pinch, while boot space is strong, at 448 litres, or 1,375 litres with the seats folded down; the EV’s stats are 470 and 1,100 litres.

Prices

It’s popularity means there are lots of ZSs on the used market. We found almost 1,700, about a quarter of which were EVs. Exclusive is by far the most common trim level with petrol-engined ZSs, with the bigger engine accounting for almost two thirds of the cars for sale.

Running costs

All ZSs need to be serviced every 12 months or 15,000 miles. The maintenance price schedule is complex, but costs vary according to the year, engine and transmission, as you can see by visiting MG dealer Blights Motors’ website (tinyurl.com/2a2yrj8j). 

As a guide, the first six services for a petrol-engined ZS cost £150, £400, £150 (£575 if it’s an automatic), £400, £200, then £450 (£800 for an automatic). This compares with £90, £180, £90, £220, £200 and £175 for the electric version. While this is expensive compared with rivals, there’s cheaper servicing for owners who cover fewer than 10,000 miles per year. 

There are no cambelts to replace, but every two years the air and pollen filters need to be renewed, along with the brake fluid. The 1.5-litre engine also needs new spark plugs after two years, but they’re replaced every third service on the 1.0 T-GDi engine.

Recalls

Over the past 15 years, MG Motor has issued just 10 recalls, which is encouraging. Admittedly its model range was sparse for a long time, but since the ZS was launched in 2017, MG Motor has launched just five recalls, and none has involved the ZS. 

The MG3 was recalled because of sub-standard fuel tank-retaining straps, while the MG4 could lock itself with occupants inside; a software update fixed things. The MG5 has been recalled twice, the first because of a paperwork anomaly and the second because of brake-light glitches; a software update fixed the problem. That leaves the HS, which was recalled last year because some cars had faulty earthing straps that could lead to the wiring getting very hot. All that was required was to adjust the connection.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The ZS made its Driver Power New Car survey debut in 2019, in 66th place out of 75 models, before climbing to 55th in 2020, then 41st in 2021. In 2022 the ZS slipped to 66th before disappearing. In that final year the high spots were eighth for value, 12th for rear-seat legroom and ninth for running costs other than servicing. But the infotainment, safety systems, reliability and quality were marked down.