Euro NCAP Urges Buyers to Avoid MG3 Hybrid+ After Rare Seat-Latch Failure in Crash Test

Europe’s foremost vehicle safety organisation has advised motorists to avoid buying the MG3 Hybrid+ after the Chinese-made car suffered a rare and dangerous seat latching failure during a Euro NCAP frontal offset crash test.

In a controlled 40 percent frontal offset test at 31 mph, Euro NCAP found that the seat latching mechanism on the MG3 Hybrid+ catastrophically failed, increasing the impact on the crash test dummy’s right leg and causing the dummy’s head to "bottom out" against the steering wheel instead of being retained by the airbag. The failure produced a "poor" score for protection of the driver’s right femur and prompted Euro NCAP programme director Aled Williams to urge consumers to "consider alternatives to the MG3." Williams said the fault had been reported to the relevant Type-Approval authorities so consideration could be given to whether a vehicle recall should be issued.

Euro NCAP said the specific type of seat latch failure had "not been seen" since it began crash testing passenger vehicles in 1997. Despite the critical failure, the MG3 Hybrid+ retained an overall rating of four stars because of relatively strong performance in other test categories. Euro NCAP said it will review aspects of its scoring protocols, particularly how the overall rating should reflect the presence of unrectified critical safety component failures.

The MG3 Hybrid+ was launched in March 2024 and is marketed as an entry-level hybrid offering. Its base SE trim starts at £19,245 in the UK, with the top Trophy trim at £21,245 — undercutting hybrid rivals such as the Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. Euro NCAP said the results undermine the car’s value proposition and recommended motorists look at alternative models.

MG told Euro NCAP that it is "proactively investigating" the issue and that a technical appraisal is under way. A company spokesman said the manufacturer values Euro NCAP’s feedback and is prioritising the matter, but declined to provide further detail while investigations continue. Euro NCAP noted that MG has improved the manufacturing process for the seat latching mechanism since August, after the issue was raised with the company.

The crash test’s frontal offset procedure concentrates 40 percent of the vehicle’s front on a deformable barrier to reproduce a common real-world impact. In the MG3’s test, the seat latch failure led to increased intrusion and loading on the right femur area of the dummy and altered head kinematics, producing the poor score for leg protection.

Euro NCAP’s public warning is notable both for its language — advising consumers to avoid the vehicle pending resolution — and for its potential regulatory consequences. The organisation said it has informed Type-Approval authorities, which can assess the need for recalls or other enforcement actions under European vehicle safety rules.

Industry analysts say safety ratings can influence buying decisions, insurance costs and residual values, though manufacturers sometimes correct identified faults via software updates, component recalls or revised production processes. MG’s statement that it has already taken steps to improve the latch manufacturing process suggests the company is addressing the mechanical cause identified by Euro NCAP, but regulators and the safety body will evaluate those changes.

Euro NCAP’s move to review its scoring system follows its observation that a vehicle with a serious, unusual failure retained a four-star overall grade because of stronger performance elsewhere. The safety body said it will consider whether its protocols adequately reflect the presence of unrectified critical safety weaknesses.

MG and Euro NCAP said further updates will follow as the technical appraisal and any regulatory assessments proceed. Authorities, the safety body and the manufacturer will determine whether corrective actions, including a recall, are required to protect consumers and ensure compliance with vehicle safety standards.