The MG 3 light hatch has earned an updated four-star ANCAP safety rating after design changes improved its protection and technology package. However, the independent crash testing body has cautioned that important safety issues remain.
When first tested in 2024, the second-generation MG 3 received a three-star safety rating. While it showed progress compared with the earlier model, it was marked down for weaknesses in crash protection and collision avoidance.
A production update for vehicles built from late April 2025 has now added a centre airbag, a driver monitoring system, and improved autonomous emergency braking. These changes lifted scores for Adult Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist, moving the MG 3s built from 30 April / May 2025 onward into four-star territory under the current 2023–2025 protocols.
Crash Test Concerns
Despite the uplift, testing uncovered new problems. In the frontal offset crash, which simulates a 50 km/h head-on collision, the driver’s seat adjuster failed, causing the seat to twist and increase injury risk. Protection for the driver’s right leg was rated Poor, and head protection was only Adequate after the airbag bottomed out against the steering wheel.
“This uplift from three-stars to four-stars is a step in the right direction, yet the seat latch failure is not something we expect to see, and is cause for caution,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg.
“The failure of the seat adjuster increased the risk of injury to the driver. Key vehicle components like this should be able to withstand this typical urban-environment crash. We expect MG to make a running change to rectify the fault and move to retrospectively fix affected vehicles already in the market.”
Call for Better Quality
Hoorweg acknowledged MG’s efforts but stressed the need for consistency. “It is clear that MG is trying hard to bring improved products to market. What we want to see, however, is a focus on quality as well as safety. These elements go hand-in-hand.”
Current rules do not impose extra penalties for seat failures beyond the effect on crash-test dummies. ANCAP and Euro NCAP have confirmed they will review this part of their assessment process.
The full safety report can be found here.
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