MG HS AS23 — Problems & Common Faults

The MG HS launched on the German market in 2021, offering an unusually generous price-to-equipment ratio as a compact SUV: lots of kit, a decent interior and a punchy 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 162 hp, available with a manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. From the start there was also the EHS plug-in hybrid with 284 hp system output and a 16.6 kWh battery for around 50 kilometres of electric range. A facelift arrived in late 2023 with a revised front end and infotainment, sold alongside the second generation until mid-2024.

For a used buy, the dual-clutch gearbox deserves close attention: several independent sources describe hesitant, jerky shifting at low speed and on hills - a test drive in city traffic will reveal the issue reliably. The infotainment system is also a known weak point: the touchscreen often reacts sluggishly, and dropouts of the radio or hands-free function have led to workshop visits lasting weeks. The driver-assistance systems - traffic-sign recognition and attention monitoring - stand out negatively for false alarms and misread speed limits.

The EHS plug-in hybrid brings its own model-specific issues: AC charging is modest at single-phase 3.7 kW maximum, so a full charge takes a while. In winter the petrol engine frequently kicks in for heating, even with a full battery, which drags real-world electric range down to 30-45 kilometres. In isolated cases a complete hybrid-system failure with limp-home mode has even been documented - rare, but with a long repair time. Important for buyers of early EHS cars (built 2021/2022): a KBA recall covers a potentially loose grounding cable on the heater element with a fire risk, so the recall status should definitely be checked against the VIN before buying.

Other, rarer issues include water ingress from clogged panoramic-roof drains (one case cost around €2,500 out of warranty), peeling paint on the alloy wheels, and isolated early corrosion on brakes and exhaust. Structural engine problems such as timing-chain or turbocharger failures are not yet backed by independent sources for the 1.5-litre turbo - though for an engine that is still relatively young and not very common in Germany, that may simply reflect a lack of long-term experience rather than genuine robustness. The UK's What Car? reliability survey rates the petrol HS at 87.9%, below average, while the PHEV scores 92.5%, close to the family-SUV average.

For a used purchase: take a city-traffic test drive paying attention to gearbox behaviour, test every infotainment function, check recall status and charging behaviour on EHS models, and look for dampness in the footwell on panoramic-roof cars. Anyone after affordable everyday comfort who can live with the noted weaknesses gets a lot of SUV for the money.