2022 MG MG3 Excite review - Long-term owner

Multimedia and safety technology: 7/10

Center screen is a great size, but it's only compatible with Apple CarPlay - there is no Android Auto compatibility. Screen is fast, well presented and has everything you'd want from a modern car. Safety tech is good. Not too intrusive.

Practicality: 7/10

Rear cargo area is great. The seats fold down and create a huge amount of space for the size of the car. It seats four adults happily, and five if you really wanted to.

Driving: 7/10

It could do with a smidge more power. The Chinese EVs and hybrids coming out for similar prices to the MG3 really show what is possible at this market point. Steering feel is good. Suspension seems to be well tuned for Australian roads, which is a big plus.

Running costs: 9/10

Dealership servicing - as always - is a little on the steeper side. These cars are dead simple to service. Find a good, reputable mechanic and you'll see regular servicing under $300 pretty easily. Parts are a little bit tricky to find at suppliers like Repco & Supercheap Auto, but a little bit of digging and air filters, oil filters and the sorts can be sourced quite cheaply. Wrecking yards want silly money for parts - like brake lights - due to how new the car is. Again, a little research will see you find a bargain here.

Reliability: 8/10

Great! No major issues with the car in 70,000km. There are a few little things, though.

The standard spark plugs are awful on this car and are known to need replacement around 50,000km. We were seeing misfires at 40,000km due to the spark plugs wearing out. Around $100 in parts and very little in labor sorts this out with no worries.

Interior trim pieces like the third brake light in the rear window are known to fall off. A little bit of glue or a trip to the dealer under warranty will have this sorted in no time. These cars are dead simple, so even if something major were to happen, you'd still see a few grand in your pocket compared to anything made in Europe.