MG5 Tesla Supercharger problems: FAQ 1 - Timeline of events

MG5 Supercharger problems: Index and FAQ 1 - Timeline of events

See also these other Supercharger FAQs:

MG5 Supercharger: FAQ 2 - What upgrades does my MG5 need to use a Tesla charger?

FAQ 2 - What upgrades does my MG5 need to use a Tesla charger? What is the current situation? This is the MG buelltin posted by Miles Roberts describing the EVCC upgrade. I found it worth while having this with me to show dealers who may not be aware of it. Note that the EVCC part numbers...

www.mgevs.com

MG5 Supercharger: FAQ 3 - How to get a charge at a Tesla Supercharger

FAQ 3 - How to get a charge at a Tesla Supercharger Can I charge at any Tesla charger? No is the short answer. Tesla provide two types of chargers: DC rapid and AC fast. Let's get the lesser known one out of the way first: AC chargers use the car's onboard charger and are like OHME, Zappi and...

www.mgevs.com

FAQ 4 Etiquette when charging an MG5 at a Tesla Supercharger

FAQ 4 Etiquette when charging an MG5 at a Tesla Supercharger There are some limitations when charging your MG5 at a Tesla Supercharger. Remember you are not a Tesla! Yes I know that but it is easy to forget that the MG5 charging port is in a different location. While the later V4...

www.mgevs.com

As I promised I have started to bring together the information from the many discussions re the MG5 supercharger problems.

This is the first of several FAQs that will provide a concise summation of the the whole situation. I hope that I do a good enough job that it becomes a pinned or similar post. It is therefore important that this is kept clean.

I think we need some rules to stop this becoming like the original 1000 post thread and I would appreciate moderators helping with this:

1. This is focussed on the MG5 issue and while it has relevance to the ZS issues, it is really difficult to confirm this without the similar level of detail that the MG5 owners provided as a group. So no "does this affect my ZS" posts, please.

2. While I have acknowledged there is a great "warranty vs enhancement" debate, this is not the thread for further discussions.

If you like it, please give me a like! and thanks to everyone who contributed - without that information this is not possible.

Tesla Supercharger timeline

November 2021
Tesla starts open supercharger trial in Europe
January 2022
Tesla starts trial in the UK at selected locations.
June 2022
Tesla open network expanded. First reports MG5 successful charging.
December 2022
First reports of MG5s not being rcognised. Almost overnight Tesla superchargers fail to connect to MG5s that previously worked fine.
Zapmap comments for the Flint supercharger site state that a Polestar and Ioniq suffered similar problems.
December 2022
Report from Tesla states MGs and other have been blocked.

"I rang the Tesla helpline today and the technician said thay have had to block MG and a number of other non Telsa cars from the public open SC sites because of a problem with CCS comms on those cars. He listed MG, Kia, VW, Daccia and Jag. He said he could see in his notes a plan to fix this within a few weeks (today 6/12/22) I guess it won't be fixed until Jan 2023 at the minumum. "

31st December 2022
Reports from Tesla saying the MGs are blocked from European superchargers.
New Year 2022
MG5 owners waiting for Tesla to fix the problem as promised.
January 2023
Tesla date passes. Still no fix.
28th January 2023
Facelift MG5 works at Banbury superchargers but PFL MG5s still can't charge.
March 2023

"In Portugal, all new Tesla chargers are blocked by law until Tesla update their software & allow universal access to all via their MOBI network thus forcing standardisation."

"This weekend in the Netherlands I tried a supercharger and it did not work. I called Tesla and the help support mentioned no models of MG are currently able to charge from the superchargers. Tesla is still investigating this. Mailing Tesla does not work, just call the support number on their website."

April 2023

"I emailed MG HQ and they said it is a Tesla problem and Tesla need to alter their software to accommodate MG's."

Three months after Teslas promised a fix and did not deliver, Tesla now start blaming MG for causing the fault...

"I can confirm that at the moment, MG EV vehicles are still blocked from using the open Tesla superchargers.
Tesla is unable to accommodate vehicles that do not fully comply with CCS communication and safety protocols. If you encounter any issues while charging your vehicle, reach out to Tesla Customer Support or your vehicle manufacturer.
We have reached out to MG to investigate further."

"Tried the Tesla chargers in Aberystwyth last week, Nog would not recognise car, did use these back in October with no problems my car has not been in for any updates since October so nothing has changed on my car, so my feeling is Tesla have done some sort of update that renders the useless to us. MG 5 LR Excite"

June 2023
Tesla expands their open network.
Still no resolution of the MG5 problem

"Not true when I charged on Tesla last October had to stop charge before I could unplug, charged fine last year. Have tried same chargers this year and they don't work on MG5's ,car has had no updates since I have owned it so can't say some obscure update has stopped it from working."

July 2023
Dutch Facelift owner states that MG are issuing software updates. This is believed to be the SC052 CCU recall update

"So here it is, my MG5 LR Luxury facelift has received an update of the CCU controller in the car which should make it able to charge at the Tesla supercharger, I still need to find some time to test this. At my dealership in the Netherlands they described this as a recall sw update of the CCU. So get your MG to the dealer and request them to update the CCU software, which is NOT the MCU software. @admin, please make this answer stand out in this topic!"

August 2023
Update did not work.

"the CCU update that had been done did not result in the car charging at the Tesla supercharger."

September 2023
Swedish article reveals supercharger software fix from MG for Swedish facelift models. Sweden never had the PFL cars.
Oct 24, 2023
Updated PFL successfully charges at Supercharger after several software updates.
November 2023
MG announce that there is an EVCC update that addresses the problem. This is not the SC052 but the famous EVCC update.
Dutch guy gets the EVCC upgrade and it works!
MG HQ now state that if a car's software is fully up to date then it will work with Superchargers.
Owners now reporting that despite dealers saying their cars are, supercharging still doesn't work. Suspicion falls on MG not telling the dealers and dealers not getting the information.
First hints at the update being chargeable.

"So, I took my MG5 FL to have its VCC update today and had chance to chat to the service people. What they told me is:
1. that they cant apply changes to a car unless it is approved by MG in case the update breaks something else and the dealer is left with the bill for fixing the subsequent damage.
2. The charging system update would be treated by MG as chargeable.
3.As I had bought the car from them and would be having it serviced in January, they would cover the cost of the update and do it when I get the car serviced (providing MG say it is OK to apply).
All in all I am quite pleased with that result ( if it does actually happen)"

The great "is it an enhancement or a warranty fix" debate starts in earnest.
December 2023
Many dealers are not aware of the EVCC update causing confusion all round. The update appears to be approved by MG to be installed.
MG state it is a chargeable update we the owner pays for the tech time to do the upgrade.
MG5 PFL SR cars still cannot charge at Tesla sites.
January 2024
Despite Tesla promising to fix the problem over 12 months ago, Tesla maintains that MG does not fully comply with the CCS safety protocols.
Information starts leaking out indicating that Tesla has added their own proprietary components to CCS which are causing the problem.

Meanwhile... owners are caught between a rock and a hard place. Tesla blame MG and MG say it is not a priority as the cars can charge on other networks. The fix exists but dealers do not know about it.
Owners start getting dealers to perform the EVCC update.
Meanwhile, the great "is it an enhancement or a warranty fix" debate gathers momentum!
March 2024
A clearer picture starts to appear from the confusion.

• FL cars get the software update under warranty.
• PFL LR cars can get the update as an enhancement for which they pay the update time (approx £100).
• PFL SR cars can get the update but require the EVCC module to be replaced with a latest version to be compatible with the software. The cost is quoted at around £800 to £1000.

The great "warranty or enhancement" debate rages on!
May 2024
MG issue a technical bulletin stating that all PFL cars require a replacement EVCC module despite many documented cases where PFL LR cars simply had a software upgrade and worked perfectly afterwards.
June 2024
Dealers stop applying the upgrade because of the "replace EVCC" instruction. Owners feel angry and start collating data and cases that disprove this latest instruction from MG. They identify the build and model revisions of compatible EVCCs that allow owners to establish what the position is re upgrades.
MG realise the mistake and issue a new bulletin that states which EVCC revisions are compatible. These have different numbers from the modules owners identified. Causes more concern. Turns out the numbers are yet another set of build references that MG obtain through the diagnostic software and not the numbers put on the labels.
Dealers start to be a bit more accommodating about the charges. The great "warranty or enhancement" debate rages on!

 

[revpeterw]

Thank you for a very helpful summary, and I will attempt to get the upgrade done when my car gets MOT'd

 

[rikm1]

great post...

 

[SimonMG5]

If it helps ive been getting costs for this undertaking it as part of booking at 2nd year service on a facelift MG5:

Perry's Alyesbury £186
Bayliss Gloucester £120 ("We can do the update but it's not guaranteed to work and is chargeable at a cost of £120"
Waylands Oxford £95

 

[Teracton]

I have an MG 5 LR 2021, I just got the firmware update for free at my annual service in February and I have been super charging with Tesla ever since.

I did have to push the dealer and tell them exactly which firmware version I wanted, but they did it free of charge. Helps if you're already there for a service.

 

[dspencer12345]

I have an MG 5 LR 2021, I just got the firmware update for free at my annual service in February and I have been super charging with Tesla ever since.

I did have to push the dealer and tell them exactly which firmware version I wanted, but they did it free of charge. Helps if you're already there for a service.

Out of interest, which dealer was this? If it's local enough, I'll be going there for my next service!!!

 

[Archev]

Out of interest, which dealer was this? If it's local enough, I'll be going there for my next service!!!

Don’t know where you are in UK but I had my MG5 lr 71 reg car “Teslafied” on Thursday.
Frasers of Falkirk carried out the MOT, 3rd service, Tesla update, washed the car and of course applied the next year’s AA cover.
The cost was £166 all in and I verified the Tesla charge capability yesterday at the supercharger at Heartlands near Bathgate.

 

[M44LCY]

Don’t know where you are in UK but I had my MG5 lr 71 reg car “Teslafied” on Thursday.
Frasers of Falkirk carried out the MOT, 3rd service, Tesla update, washed the car and of course applied the next year’s AA cover.
The cost was £166 all in and I verified the Tesla charge capability yesterday at the supercharger at Heartlands near Bathgate.

Hi. I live in Fife and booked my FL into Arnold Clark in Kirkcaldy for 2nd service in mid October. They said all updates are chargeable but they agreed to check it out. If I hear nothing from them by the end of the coming week - or get the 'wrong' answer - I'll cancel and take it to Falkirk (my son lives in Stirling so I can pop round and visit him).

Can I ask - was the £166 for the normal service or the low mileage one? I know that was for the third service which I think is cheaper than the year 2 which I need, but you had an MOT which I don't need, so it probably balances out somewhat. To compare, AC want £250 for the normal 2 year service and £101 for the low mileage option.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Archev]

Hi. I live in Fife and booked my FL into Arnold Clark in Kirkcaldy for 2nd service in mid October. They said all updates are chargeable but they agreed to check it out. If I hear nothing from them by the end of the coming week - or get the 'wrong' answer - I'll cancel and take it to Falkirk (my son lives in Stirling so I can pop round and visit him).

Can I ask - was the £166 for the normal service or the low mileage one? AC want £250 for the normal and £101 for the low mileage service. £166 for a full service with the upgrade sounds a good deal. Even if it's the low mileage, it's probably worth the extra £65 to have the update done.

Thanks for your help.

That was for the normal third year scheduled service and first MOT with no advisories. They had told me the Tesla update would be. chargeable but I was pleasantly surprised when I got the bill.
Maklin Motors Newbridge advised £81 for the update alone.

 

[M44LCY]

That was for the normal third year scheduled service and first MOT with no advisories. They had told me the Tesla update would be. chargeable but I was pleasantly surprised when I got the bill.
Maklin Motors Newbridge advised £81 for the update alone.

Thanks for that - it sounds great value. Looks like I'll probably be having a day out in Falkirk, then up to Stirling. I can put my bike in the back, drop the car off and go to The Kelpies for that visit I've thought about for ages but never got round to ...

 

[Archev]

Thanks for that - it sounds great value. Looks like I'll probably be having a day out in Falkirk, then up to Stirling. I can put my bike in the back, drop the car off and go to The Kelpies for that visit I've thought about for ages but never got round to ...

Excellent - enjoy the Kelpies.

 

[johnb80]

Our '5' goes in for it's first service on Wednesday AND....... the Tesla upgrade FOC. Fingers crossed ?

 

[Archev]

Our '5' goes in for it's first service on Wednesday AND....... the Tesla upgrade FOC. Fingers crossed ?

Yesterday my five left home at 100%. Kiwi niece and I drove to Fort William superchargers. 38 minutes later after comfort stop, plate of soup and coffee in the station, car was back to near full.
We drove to the Skye bridge via the Glenelg ferry. At the Bridge we topped the car up while we had oatcakes, cheese and coffee. Then drove back to the Garrison superchargers via Eilean Donnan castle. Filled up again while we walked in to the upstairs restaurant “Fishy Fishy” where we had delicious Haggis. The drive home was beautiful in the dusk. Just as we arrived back there was a gentle shower of drizzle. Otherwise the whole day was warm and fabulous.
Just over 400 miles. Three top up charges worked perfectly and quickly. Supercharger at lower price now that I’ve sorted the membership problem I had. cPS charge on RFID card went through perfectly and effortlessly .

How can I post a short video if it’s possible ?

 

[Alb]

How can I post a short video if it’s possible ?

Upload to YouTube is the easiest option

 

[Archev]

Upload to YouTube is the easiest option

Hmm - it’s only a very short clip of the ferry coming over from Skye and tying up at the slip. I’ll look into it. Thanks Alb.

 

[M44LCY]

Don’t know where you are in UK but I had my MG5 lr 71 reg car “Teslafied” on Thursday.
Frasers of Falkirk carried out the MOT, 3rd service, Tesla update, washed the car and of course applied the next year’s AA cover.
The cost was £166 all in and I verified the Tesla charge capability yesterday at the supercharger at Heartlands near Bathgate.

Glad to hear the upgrade worked for you. Sounds like a heck of a day out to Skye etc.

 

[johnb80]

Our 5 went in to Drive at Hull, I was met and greeted by a lovely lady Angela, she had all of the details to hand, service contract, defects (passenger door handle) and the Tesla update was on the list. My courtesy car was ready so we exchanged keys and off I went, 4 hours later I had a call to say the work was done and the car was just going to valeting. I turned up half expecting some battle about payment but nope, all free/included in the service contract. I had a chat with their master tech, he said the Tesla update will work, no problem, I just need to have trip to an open charger to test it now.

 

[Archev]

Our 5 went in to Drive at Hull, I was met and greeted by a lovely lady Angela, she had all of the details to hand, service contract, defects (passenger door handle) and the Tesla update was on the list. My courtesy car was ready so we exchanged keys and off I went, 4 hours later I had a call to say the work was done and the car was just going to valeting. I turned up half expecting some battle about payment but nope, all free/included in the service contract. I had a chat with their master tech, he said the Tesla update will work, no problem, I just need to have trip to an open charger to test it now.

That’s grand. It’s almost like there never was a problem with things like the Tesla thing. I have to say I’ve now charged three times on Tesla chargers and my only comment is they’re too quick. Barely time to enjoy my haggis on Monday in Fort William and the car was over 90%. But I have to say I topped up twice (there and back) and once at a Charge Place Scotland unit on Skye and they were all super quick. We got the full 415 miles in 14 hours with tons of tourist time as well.
Hope you stay safe and enjoy your miles too.

 

[johnb80]

That’s grand. It’s almost like there never was a problem with things like the Tesla thing. I have to say I’ve now charged three times on Tesla chargers and my only comment is they’re too quick. Barely time to enjoy my haggis on Monday in Fort William and the car was over 90%. But I have to say I topped up twice (there and back) and once at a Charge Place Scotland unit on Skye and they were all super quick. We got the full 415 miles in 14 hours with tons of tourist time as well.
Hope you stay safe and enjoy your miles too.

I guess the Tesla price per kWh was also good too?

 

[Archev]

Tesla charger in Fort William - 40p going over to Skye At 11:30 and 49 p coming back at 18:15.
69 p on Skye at the CPS unit in Kyleakin any time.
And £20 on the ferry