MG warning lights: what each light means
In MG models, the documented faults light up 3 warning lights on the dashboard. The most frequent: overheating (3 faults), parking brake warning (1 fault) and engine warning light (1 fault). Overheating calls for stopping as soon as possible.
Which warning lights the faults of MG trigger
Red ones first, and those that call for stopping. Below each warning light, the documented faults that trigger it, with their pages.
Overheating or temperature warning light
Urgency: As soon as possibleRedSymbol: thermometer over wavy lines (coolant)
The temperature needle climbs towards the red zone or the coolant warning light comes on. It usually points to a lack of coolant, a leak, or a failing thermostat or water pump. Driving on can warp the cylinder head or damage the gasket.
What to do: Stop as soon as you can and switch the engine off. Do not open the coolant reservoir cap while it is hot. If coolant is missing, do not set off again until you have found the leak.
3 documented faults that trigger it in the MG
- High severity: Head gasket failure · Rover K-Series engine · MGF, TF, ZR and 2 more
- High severity: Sunken cylinder liners and warped head after overheating · Rover K-Series engine · MGF, TF, ZR and 2 more
- Medium severity: Coolant leaks: expansion tank cap, rear block rail and hoses · Rover K-Series engine · MGF, TF, ZR and 2 more
Electric parking brake warning
Urgency: Garage soonRedSymbol: letter P inside a circle in brackets, sometimes with an exclamation mark
Cars with an electric parking brake show a warning light or message when the caliper motor, its wiring or the control unit fails. The brake may not release or may not apply.
What to do: Do not rely on the handbrake if the warning appears: park on level ground and leave the car in gear. Have the system diagnosed.
1 documented fault that triggers it in the MG
- Medium severity: Handbrake with insufficient holding power · outside the engine · ZT
Engine fault warning light (check engine)
Urgency: Garage soonYellow or amberSymbol: outline of an engine seen from the side, in yellow or orange
The orange engine-shaped warning light comes on when the ECU detects a fault affecting combustion or emissions. If it flashes, it usually points to misfires that can damage the catalytic converter.
What to do: If it stays on steadily, you can drive gently to a garage and ask for a fault code read-out. If it flashes or you notice a loss of power, slow down and get to a garage as soon as possible.
1 documented fault that triggers it in the MG
- Low severity: Electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS) · 1.5 VTi-TECH / T-GDI engine · HS
Frequently asked questions
Which warning lights come on most in the MG?
Overheating: 3 documented faults, such as head gasket failure. Parking brake warning: 1 documented fault, such as handbrake with insufficient holding power. Engine warning light: 1 documented fault, such as electronic warnings and occasional sensor faults (MG HS).
Which warning light of MG is the most serious?
Overheating: its urgency is “as soon as possible”. Stop as soon as you can and switch the engine off. Do not open the coolant reservoir cap while it is hot. If coolant is missing, do not set off again until you have found the leak.
Which MG models have the most faults that trigger warning lights?
MG ZT (4 faults), MG MGF (3 faults), MG TF (3 faults) and MG ZR (3 faults).
A warning light has come on in the MG: what should I do?
Find which warning light it is on this page and check its urgency. With overheating, stop as soon as possible somewhere safe. For the others, book an appointment at a garage and have them read the fault code with an OBD reader: it shows which system has failed.