MG Cyberster EC3A — Problems & Common Faults
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The MG Cyberster (EC3A) arrived in Europe in spring 2025 as a fully electric roadster with electric gullwing doors, positioned as the brand's most emotional model. It is powered by permanent-magnet synchronous motors with a nickel-cobalt-manganese battery (74.4 kWh net) on a 400-volt architecture: the base version drives the rear axle with 250 kW, while the top version uses two motors for 375 kW combined output and, according to the trade press, accelerates to 100 km/h in around 3.2 seconds — faster than many a Porsche. Reviews praise the powertrain and cornering enjoyment but criticise chassis, brake and steering tuning as too soft for a sports car, along with the noticeable weight of the low-mounted battery; the Cyberster is seen as a breath of fresh air in the roadster segment, though not the most passionate or sportiest model on the market. The warranty follows MG's brand-wide standard of 84 months or 150,000 km on the whole vehicle including the high-voltage battery, guaranteed down to 70 percent remaining capacity. Since the model has only been on the German market for about a year and a half, there is not yet reliable long-term experience or breakdown statistics — the issues described below are documented individual cases so far. The most frequently documented problem concerns the electric gullwing doors: they unlock, open only a few centimetres and then get stuck, which is attributed to a faulty door height sensor and occurs especially at cooler temperatures — several cases are documented, usually resolved by the workshop via a software update, recalibration or sensor replacement. Also recurring is a weak 12-volt auxiliary battery that is not reliably topped up by the high-voltage system during longer periods of standing without driving, losing noticeable voltage within a few days — a trickle charger is advisable for infrequent use. On the soft top, a quiet creak was documented with the roof open, traced to insufficient hinge lubrication and fixed under warranty. The tyre-pressure monitoring system also occasionally triggers false warnings with no actual low pressure. For a used purchase, a thorough test drive with repeated opening and closing of both doors at different temperatures is recommended, along with a check of the 12-volt battery voltage and, depending on the desired driving feel, a choice between the more accessible base version and the significantly quicker all-wheel-drive version.
Engine Overview
The MG Cyberster EC3A is available with 2 engine variants — from 340 to 510 hp.
In the all-wheel-drive model, a permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drives each of the front and rear axles, supplied from the same nickel-cobalt-manganese battery (NCM) with a 400-volt architecture. The drive units themselves are considered mechanically simple and brushless, and no notable motor failures have been documented for this still-young model. Here too, the auxiliary electrical system is the more critical point: the 12-volt battery noticeably discharges during longer periods of standing without regular driving, since recharging from the high-voltage system does not happen consistently. For used-car buyers, checking the auxiliary battery voltage display is therefore a sensible check, while reliable long-term data on cell aging is still scarce given the short time on the market.
- ! 12-volt battery drains while parked
During longer periods of standing without driving, the high-voltage system does not regularly recharge the 12-volt battery; voltage drops noticeably within a few days.
Symptoms: After a few days without driving, a voltage check on the 12-volt battery shows a clear drop, which can lead to starting trouble.
The drivetrain is based on a permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) on the rear axle, fed by a nickel-cobalt-manganese battery (NCM) with a 400-volt architecture. PMSM motors are brushless and mechanically robust, and no notable failures of the drive unit itself have been documented yet for this still-young model. The more sensitive point is the auxiliary electrical system: during longer periods of standing without driving, the 12-volt battery is not consistently topped up by the high-voltage system and can lose noticeable voltage within a few days, making an external trickle charger advisable for infrequent drivers. Since the model has only recently come to market, there is not yet reliable long-term data on cell aging.
- ! 12-volt battery drains while parked
During longer periods of standing without driving, the high-voltage system does not regularly recharge the 12-volt battery; voltage drops noticeably within a few days.
Symptoms: After a few days without driving, a voltage check on the 12-volt battery shows a clear drop, which can lead to starting trouble.
Compare across all models: Replacement costRiskMeasured ageing
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Electric gullwing doors do not open fully The electric gullwing doors unlock, open only a few centimetres and then get stuck; a faulty door height sensor is considered the likely cause. Symptoms: After unlocking, the door opens only 5 to 15 cm and stops, especially at temperatures below 20 degrees; only manual opening and closing helps at that point. | Low | |
| Tyre-pressure monitor gives false warnings The system occasionally warns of low tyre pressure even though actual pressure is within the normal range; the warning often disappears again on its own after a short time. Symptoms: A low-tyre-pressure warning appears on the display even though a manual check shows normal values. | Low |
Test Reports
ADAC Fahrbericht
No official ADAC overall-grade test exists yet, only a drive report by Lars Hoenkhaus and an Ecotest rating of 4 out of 5 stars (88 points). The drive report praises the car's emotional character but criticises the noticeable battery weight in corners.
2024Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 5 weaknesses have been documented for the MG Cyberster EC3A (2025–2026) — 2 engine-related and 3 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Body. Considered reliable: CYBERSTER-EM-RWD (Elektromotor (Heck)), CYBERSTER-EM-AWD (Elektromotor (Dual, Allrad)).
What to watch out for with the MG Cyberster? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the MG Cyberster EC3A have? +
What should I look for when buying a used MG Cyberster EC3A? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which MG Cyberster EC3A engine is the most reliable? +
Which MG Cyberster EC3A engine is the most fun? +
Is the MG Cyberster EC3A worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the MG Cyberster EC3A? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee