# MG 3 — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the MG 3 on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/mg-3

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2020
- **Ideal trim**: Excite
- **Target mileage**: 30,000–50,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £7,500

## Why this model

The MG 3 is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a supermini that's incredibly affordable to buy and run. It offers a surprising amount of space for its size, especially in the back, and comes with a decent level of standard equipment, particularly on the mid-range trims. It's not the most refined car on the road, but it's honest, practical, and has a good warranty from new, which speaks to its underlying reliability. It's a solid, no-frills option that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

## What you should pay

For a 2020 MG 3 Excite with around 30,000-50,000 miles, you should be aiming to pay around £7,500. Prices for these cars have stabilised after their initial depreciation, making them excellent value on the used market. Newer models (2021-2022) might fetch a bit more, closer to £8,500-£9,500, but the 2020 model hits a sweet spot for value.

## Which trim to buy

The 'Excite' trim is definitely the one to go for. It adds essential modern features like an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and alloy wheels, which significantly improve the driving experience and resale appeal compared to the basic 'Explore' model. The 'Exclusive Nav' adds a few more luxuries like a reverse camera and built-in sat-nav, but the price jump isn't always worth it, as you can just use your phone's navigation through CarPlay/Android Auto on the Excite.

## What to check before you buy

- Infotainment system can be a bit slow or glitchy
- Interior plastics feel basic, some rattles might develop over time
- Minor electrical gremlins reported by some owners

## Running costs

Running an MG 3 is one of its biggest strengths. Fuel costs for the 1.5L petrol engine average around 15.6 pence per mile (based on 42.3 MPG and petrol at £1.45/litre). For 10,000 miles a year, that's about £1,560 in fuel. Road tax (VED) is £190 per year for models registered after April 2017. Insurance is generally very cheap, typically falling into groups 7-10, so expect to pay between £400-£700 annually depending on your personal circumstances. Servicing costs are also very reasonable, making it a genuinely cheap car to keep on the road.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Petrol
- **Horsepower**: 105 hp
- **Mpg**: 42.3 mpg
- **Reliability Score**: Good for its class, generally robust
- **Safety Rating**: 3 stars (Euro NCAP 2014)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Explore | £12,495 | £6,000 | 15-inch steel wheels; DAB radio; Bluetooth |
| Excite | £13,495 | £7,500 | 16-inch alloy wheels; 8-inch colour touchscreen; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
| Exclusive Nav | £14,495 | £8,000 | 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels; Satellite navigation; Reverse parking camera |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £7,500 | 100% |
| 2027 | £6,500 | 86.7% |
| 2028 | £5,800 | 77.3% |
| 2029 | £5,200 | 69.3% |
| 2030 | £4,700 | 62.7% |

The MG 3 has already taken its biggest depreciation hit in its first few years. Buying a 3-5 year old model means you're getting a car that has lost around 50% of its new value, and its future depreciation will be much slower in absolute terms. It's a great car to buy used and hold onto for a few years without losing a huge amount more.

Total value lost since new: 37.3%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Dacia Sandero](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/dacia-sandero.md)
- [Kia Picanto](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/kia-picanto.md)
- [Suzuki Swift](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/suzuki-swift.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.