Should I be worried about the number of used MG4s around at the moment?

[Sparkycar]

Thinking of getting an Mg4 - most likely Trophy LR. However I am a bit concerned by the number of low mileage / not very old cars on the markets as it would seem to suggest that a lot people get them and don't like them/have too many issues etc. So just checking in with real world owners here so get a feel on what it's like to own the car please? I have read a lot about the software issues and faults, most of which seem to be resolved in the end. And as in most things there are bound to be more social posts on issues than - i love the car - it's all good etc. Anyway I'd love your thoughts thank you

 

[salty]

Think it's the same with all makes of cars. Plenty of nearly new ones knocking about. And as you say, most social posts, are usually negative. I personally love my X Power. You seem to be taken by the MG4, so just get one.

 

[MG Clive]

Hello @Sparkycar, welcome to MGEVs, there will be positive and negative reviews, good points and bad points, lovers and haters, helpful and unhelpful comments about any car you consider buying, but if you're thinking about it, and if you see one you like at a decent price, just go for it.

The good thing about there being quite a lot for sale, is that you will have plenty to choose from, and it should give you a bit of haggling power.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Could it be that a lot are coming out of lease agreements now as well? I’m very happy with the MG4, I enjoy driving it every day, it’s not perfect, but I’ve never driven a car that is.

Would I get another one? Probably not, but that’s just because I intend to keep this car for at least 6-8 years, and by then who knows what’s on the market. If the car got written off now I would consider getting a new MG4 though, probably pay a little extra and get the 77kWh battery. Or maybe even try to convince the missus we need an Xpower haha

 

[Bam Bam]

Thinking of getting an Mg4 - most likely Trophy LR. However I am a bit concerned by the number of low mileage / not very old cars on the markets as it would seem to suggest that a lot people get them and don't like them/have too many issues etc. So just checking in with real world owners here so get a feel on what it's like to own the car please? I have read a lot about the software issues and faults, most of which seem to be resolved in the end. And as in most things there are bound to be more social posts on issues than - i love the car - it's all good etc. Anyway I'd love your thoughts thank you

I think the glut of MG4s is a combination of things.

Partly it is SAIC flooding the UK market, I think. Dealers are buying them to meet targets and then selling those pre-registered cars at a big discount.

Take advantage I'd say!

I'm certainly a happy customer. If you do a lot of miles and have a place to charge the car then it is a much cheaper and more pleasant way to drive. And with the MG4 you get a lot more car for your money than the rivals.

 

[Rolfe]

Thinking of getting an Mg4 - most likely Trophy LR. However I am a bit concerned by the number of low mileage / not very old cars on the markets as it would seem to suggest that a lot people get them and don't like them/have too many issues etc. So just checking in with real world owners here so get a feel on what it's like to own the car please? I have read a lot about the software issues and faults, most of which seem to be resolved in the end. And as in most things there are bound to be more social posts on issues than - i love the car - it's all good etc. Anyway I'd love your thoughts thank you

I love mine. I may grumble, but the grumbles are about things that can quite easily be worked around, and most of them have been fixed by software updates anyway. I've never had any significant issues. Saggy undertray, but it never caused a problem then they fixed it. Charging port lights stopped working but they fixed it. Passerger door button currently not working but that'll get fixed too.

Some people have had significant issues, like the SRs that were losing power for no readily apparent reason or the LRs that stopped charging on AC, and I can see why the people that happened to were miffed, but both things were fixed. Some people got lemons, but that can happen with any car.

I just drive off and it puts a smile on my face. More than my GTi did, which is ridiculous but true.

 

[GJMG4 North]

Thinking of getting an Mg4 - most likely Trophy LR. However I am a bit concerned by the number of low mileage / not very old cars on the markets as it would seem to suggest that a lot people get them and don't like them/have too many issues etc. So just checking in with real world owners here so get a feel on what it's like to own the car please? I have read a lot about the software issues and faults, most of which seem to be resolved in the end. And as in most things there are bound to be more social posts on issues than - i love the car - it's all good etc. Anyway I'd love your thoughts thank you

Think if it as an opportunity, I recently acquired a 12 month old TLR with less than 4k miles on the odometer for about £6k less than the best deal I could find on a new car. Very happy so far with my decision, the car does everything I wanted it to. Is it perfect, no, but it's close enough that it feels like I grabbed a bargain and the remaining 6 year warranty gives me a sense of reassurance should something go wrong down the line (time will tell).

 

[LenEV2016]

Thinking of getting an Mg4 - most likely Trophy LR. However I am a bit concerned by the number of low mileage / not very old cars on the markets as it would seem to suggest that a lot people get them and don't like them/have too many issues etc. So just checking in with real world owners here so get a feel on what it's like to own the car please? I have read a lot about the software issues and faults, most of which seem to be resolved in the end. And as in most things there are bound to be more social posts on issues than - i love the car - it's all good etc. Anyway I'd love your thoughts thank you

The wife's car had quite a few of the common issues and it was a proper battle to get stuff updated,seemed to drag on overly long for each issue raised.

The car has had most of the updates now and it is pretty much behaving as it should, it drives well and there are loads of good deals to be had. Definitely worse EVs out there

 

[MelanieMoxon]

We have Just got past the 2nd anniversary of the MG4 being released into the UK, there will be a lot of cars dropping out of lease schemes as their previous owners move on to something new, be that another MG4 (if they liked it) or something different. There are a lot of ID.3s for example on the market at the moment for the same reason.

 

[HiFiDave]

I strongly recommend you look into the dealer service issues, (or lack of) before you go any further.
I bought a new MG4ER in December. Nice car, drove lovely and looked great, was really excited by the whole thing.
By January I had an issue, and the earliest I could get the car booked in was March (tried other dealers in my locality but once I said I had a problem with an MG4, none of them returned the call.
Well the dealer couldn’t fix the fault, and then I was hit with a wall of silence. Chased for 3 weeks, never had a call returned. Contacted MG UK but after a couple days they went silent too.
Ended up trading it in last week (at 4 months old and 4000 miles) just to get rid, as essentially no warranty cover, never to go back.
Issues like this may be why there are many nearly new cars around. Obviously cars at 12 months, 2 and 3 years are likely coming off lease, but beware nontheless.

 

[decrep]

as above it seems in the UK the main problem is servicing.
Take prospective cars for a test drive, with a list of faults from here, either demand any faults be fixed before purchase or keep looking.
A good one is well worth having! We love ours, nicest car to drive we've ever had. If you have solar or a very low tariff, it's a no brainer

 

[LenEV2016]

I strongly recommend you look into the dealer service issues, (or lack of) before you go any further.
I bought a new MG4ER in December. Nice car, drove lovely and looked great, was really excited by the whole thing.
By January I had an issue, and the earliest I could get the car booked in was March (tried other dealers in my locality but once I said I had a problem with an MG4, none of them returned the call.
Well the dealer couldn’t fix the fault, and then I was hit with a wall of silence. Chased for 3 weeks, never had a call returned. Contacted MG UK but after a couple days they went silent too.
Ended up trading it in last week (at 4 months old and 4000 miles) just to get rid, as essentially no warranty cover, never to go back.
Issues like this may be why there are many nearly new cars around. Obviously cars at 12 months, 2 and 3 years are likely coming off lease, but beware nontheless.

Pretty much it in a nutshell, good car, drives great, good value for money.
The issue is dealer roulette, get a good one and you should be ok, if not then be prepared for a struggle to get stuff fixed. MG scored low on the what car reliability survey for a reason.

 

[Ferretusmaximus]

With company car incentives to go electric and many 2 year PCP deals coming to an end there will be a bulge of secondhand cars available with over supply causing big depreciation drops (20% VAT comes straight off the top of a new car so resale values will always favour the 2nd owner). If you can find a good one (thus minimising the dependence on a dealer for fixes) then you can get great value for money when you look at the standard features on a Trophy.

 

[JeffMcC75]

I've had my car for 2 years now and have had zero issues with mine, and I love it.

My only regret is paying RRP for brand new and not waiting for a second hand one at a much cheaper price, but thats my fault for being impatient.

I would recommend the car to anyone, its very practical and such a nice car to drive (it was my first rear wheel drive car).

I think the glut of second hand MG4s is a combination of end of lease returns and people who bought without researching what it means to own an electric car. If you buy an electric car expecting it be like owning/running a regular combustion engine car then will probably find it jarring. IMO buying an electric car without also getting a home charger is like buying a trailer but not getting a tow-hook. And I know not everyone can get a home charger installed, and/or you might live near a charging station thats convenient, but most are really expensive compared to home charging.

 

[Bam Bam]

Pretty much it in a nutshell, good car, drives great, good value for money.
The issue is dealer roulette, get a good one and you should be ok, if not then be prepared for a struggle to get stuff fixed. MG scored low on the what car reliability survey for a reason.

I think the problem is a lack of technicians.

A dealer might be good for a while until another one poaches their technician and then they have no one qualified for a while so they can't do a lot of the services.

At least our local MG garages are paired with Volvo garages so the Volvo technicians might be able to have a look at some issues.

 

[MattyS]

Ive had my car a month now and its easily the best car I've had. Its an absolute pleasure to drive, so much so I look forward to driving it! It has some great features like 360 camera that I'm finding useful. I am taking it in this friday for the bulge fix (which was a battle but thats not the cars fault).

To echo what some have already said, the dealership network appears to be the weakest link and if the customer service after sales aspect is improved, it will help solidify the MG4 as a great budget choice.

I'd say if you can find a good deal, go for it.

 

[salty]

I've had my car for 2 years now and have had zero issues with mine, and I love it.

My only regret is paying RRP for brand new and not waiting for a second hand one at a much cheaper price, but thats my fault for being impatient.

I would recommend the car to anyone, its very practical and such a nice car to drive (it was my first rear wheel drive car).

I think the glut of second hand MG4s is a combination of end of lease returns and people who bought without researching what it means to own an electric car. If you buy an electric car expecting it be like owning/running a regular combustion engine car then will probably find it jarring. IMO buying an electric car without also getting a home charger is like buying a trailer but not getting a tow-hook. And I know not everyone can get a home charger installed, and/or you might live near a charging station thats convenient, but most are really expensive compared to home charging.

Agree with what you say about the MG4.
Except the Home Charger/Trailer bit. You can charge an MG4 perfectly well on just the Granny Charger. If your needs allow.
I had every intention of getting a wall charger, fitted. But after 6 months ownership. I decided I really don't need one. Obviously if you can't get your car close enough to your house, to charge it, with wall or granny. S'pose that could be a bit awkward. But folk do, do it.

 

[Kenp1]

I took advantage of the glut of second hand cars and got a 15 month old Trophy for £15k less than new. So far I'm very happy with the car, love the way it drives and haven't really had any issues.

I only do 6000 miles a year but I reckon home charging will save me £1000 a year compared to petrol.

Home charging is so easy, I got back yesterday with 13% battery, plugged the car in, told the Octopus app that I wanted the car ready by 6am, and it sorted it all out overnight at 7 pence a Kw.

 

[siteguru]

We have Just got past the 2nd anniversary of the MG4 being released into the UK, there will be a lot of cars dropping out of lease schemes as their previous owners move on to something new, be that another MG4 (if they liked it) or something different. There are a lot of ID.3s for example on the market at the moment for the same reason.

Just a point of order ... the first MG4 customer cars arrived in the UK in September 2022, so we're way past the second anniversary.

Still loving mine though, after 2 years and 4 months of ownership.

 

[Kithmo]

There will be quite a few that have just finished the 0% interest 2 year PCP deal MG were offering 2 years ago.